The Jewels of Queen Maud of Norway

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

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