Happy Birthday to Sultanah Nur Zahirah of Terengganu, who turns 50 today! The Consort of the Sultan of Terengganu, who served as the 13th Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) of Malaysia from 2006 to 2011, the Sultanah once wore the Gandik Diraja Tiara but over the last decade has been wearing this versatile Diadem!
The striking modern diadem features diamond ‘sunbursts’ in modern diamond arches, and can be worn with the State Emblem of Terengganu on top, which can be removed alongside the diamonds on the upper portion of the tiara. The central stone of each ‘sunburst’ can be removed and replaced with yellow diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds or pearls.
Sultanah Nur Zahirah began wearing the Diamond Diadem following the end of her Tenure as the Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) of Malaysia, with the Tiara appearing in an Official Portrait and also for the Sultan’s birthday in 2013.
In 2015, sapphire version of the Diadem was worn by Sultanah Nur Zahirah for the Coronation of the Sultan of Johor, while the ruby version of the Tiara was worn for the Coronation of the Sultan of Perak.
Two years later, the entire Diamond Diadem was worn by Sultanah Nur Zahirah for the Installation of the 15th Yang di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, before it was worn for the Sultan of Brunei’s Golden Jubilee Banquet later that year.
The following year, Sultanah Nur Zahirah wore the full Diadem for the Opening Ceremony of the Legislative Assembly of Terengganu, while a smaller version was seen at the Coronation of the Sultan of Kedah.
In 2019, a smaller version of the Tiara was worn for an Investiture Ceremony in Kuala Terengganu, a few days ahead of the full version being worn for the King of Malaysia’s Installation Banquet in Kuala Lampur.
Most recently, Sultanah Nur Zahirah wore a new emerald version of the Tiara as the Royal Family hosted a gala dinner marking 61st birthday of the Sultan at the Palace Istana Syarqiyyah in Kuala Terengganu. There is no doubt we will continue to see this splendid tIara for years to come!
This is very interesting. I find it strange to Western eyes that the Sultan and Sultana often wear matching solid colour block outfits, like the yellow and pearl pink/grey ensembles. Is this a common feature of formal court dress?