Today marks the 85th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Maud of Norway, who passed away on this day in 1938! The British Princess who married a Danish Prince and became the first Queen of an independent Kingdom of Norway, Queen Maud possessed a spectacular Jewellery Collection composed of magnificent Heirlooms and spectacular Wedding Gifts!
In 1938, Queen Maud brought her jewels with her to England while she was having an operation, and where she passed away of heart failure. Queen Maud’s jewels remained in England, throughout the Norwegian Royal Family’s exile during the Second World War, and were only reclaimed during a visit for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. Soon afterwards, her daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Martha passed away, and the Jewels remained in the vaults for years until the Norwegian Royal jewellery collection was divided up following the Wedding of then Crown Prince Harald in 1968.
Click on the highlighted links/images below to see the article on each piece!
Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Circlet
Origin: Inherited from Queen Alexandra in 1925
Notable Appearances: King Haakon VII’s Silver Jubilee Gala in 1930 and The Coronation of King George VI in 1937
Current Location: Now worn by Queen Sonja
Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara
Origin: A Wedding Gift from her parents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1896
Notable Appearances: Official Portraits
Current Location: Now worn by Queen Sonja
Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara
Origin: A Wedding Gift from ‘Lady and Gentlemen Friends’ in 1896
Notable Appearances: The Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902
Current Location: Worn by Princess Ragnhild and now returned to King Harald V and Queen Sonja
Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet
Origin: Inherited from Queen Alexandra in 1925
Notable Appearances: The Wedding Gala of Crown Prince Olav of Norway and Princess Martha of Sweden in 1929
Current Location: Now worn by Princess Astrid
Vifte Tiara
Origin: A Wedding Gift from Alfred, Leopold, and Marie de Rothschild in 1896
Notable Appearances: The State Opening of Parliament in 1901 and King Haakon VII’s Silver Jubilee Gala in 1930
Current Location: Now worn by Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Ruby Aigrette Tiara
Origin: A Wedding Gift from ‘Lady and Gentlemen Friends’ in 1896
Notable Appearances: Not worn in public images
Current Location: Now worn by Princess Astrid
Queen Maud’s Drapers’ Company Brooch
Origin: A Wedding Gift from the Draper’s Company in 1896
Notable Appearances: The Devonshire House Ball in 1897, The State Opening of Parliament in 1901 and The Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902
Current Location: Now worn by Queen Sonja
Queen Alexandra’s Diamond and Pearl Brooch
Origin: Inherited from Queen Alexandra in 1925
Notable Appearances: King Haakon VII’s Silver Jubilee in 1930
Current Location: Now worn by Queen Sonja
Queen Maud’s Diamond Brooch
Origin: A Wedding Gift from Prince Charles of Denmark in 1896
Notable Appearances: Official Portraits in 1913
Current Location: Inherited by Crown Princess Martha and now with Princess Astrid
Queen Maud’s Pearl Bow Brooch
Origin: A Wedding Gift from the Lord and Lady Rothschild in 1896
Notable Appearances: The State Opening of Parliament in 1901 and The Coronation of King Haakon VII of Norway in 1906
Current Location: Now belonging to Princess Astrid
Queen Maud’s Aquamarine Brooch
Origin: Unknown
Notable Appearances: The Christening of King Harald V of Norway in 1937
Current Location: Now worn by Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Queen Maud’s Seed Pearl Choker
Origin: Unknown
Notable Appearances: Official Portraits
Current Location: With either Queen Sonja or Princess Astrid
Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Link Choker
Origin: Inherited from Queen Alexandra in 1925
Notable Appearances: Not worn in public images
Current Location: Now worn by Queen Sonja
