Jewels of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Happy Birthday to Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, who turns 70 today! The former consort of the Sovereign of the world’s only Grand Duchy, the Grand Duchess had one of the largest and most magnificent jewellery collections in her possession!

Luxembourg Empire Tiara

The ‘Big Gun Tiara’ of the collection, the Luxembourg Empire Tiara has been in the Grand Ducal Family since the 1829, and was a favourite of Grand Duchess Charlotte who even wore it as she Abdicated her Throne. The Tiara was often seen on Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte for the most important Banquets but only worn four times by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, on State Visits to The Netherlands and Belgium, the Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and an Official Portrait. Let’s hope the Empire Tiara will be worn more often by Grand Duchess Stephanie!

Belgian Scroll Tiara

Given to Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium from the Société Générale bank as a wedding gift when she married the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1953, the Belgian Scroll Tiara remained a lifelong favourite until her passing in 2005 when it narrowly escaped auction but is now a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, having been worn for almost all of her Tiara appearances in the last decade but has now been passed along to Grand Duchess Stephanie!

Chaumet Emerald Tiara

Made by Chaumet from a variety of old jewels, the Chaumet Emerald Tiara was a Christmas gift from Prince Felix of Luxembourg to Grand Duchess Charlotte in 1926, which became an iconic part of her public image and is said to have inspired the famous Wonder Woman Tiara. The Tiara was infrequently worn by Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte, but was a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in the early 2000s, though it has been mostly worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and Princess Alexandra in recent years.

Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara

Created for Grand Duchess Adelaide between 1865 and 1870, this Tiara was frequently worn by Grand Duchess Charlotte, and later worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa frequently in her years as Hereditary Grand Duchess. The Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara has also been a frequent choice for Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, and has been worn by Princess Claire.

Chaumet Choker Tiara

Made by Chaumet, this Pearl and Diamond Choker Tiara was acquired by Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte, and has been another favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, while the smaller version of the Tiara without any pearls has often been worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and Princess Alexandra, who even wore it for her Wedding to Nicolas Bagory.

Vine Leaves Tiara

A so-called ‘wedding tiara’ of the Grand Ducal family, the Vine Leaves Tiara was worn by the four daughters of Grand Duchess Charlotte at their weddings, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie at her Wedding Gala, and Princess Claire at her Wedding. Grand Duchess Maria Theresa has worn the Tiara a few times, most recently for an interview she did with ELLE Luxembourg.

Diamond Floral Tiara

The smaller of the two floral Tiaras of the Grand Ducal collection, the Diamond Floral Tiara was frequently by the then Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and was later often worn by Princess Alexandra and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie in addition to being loaned to the Grand Duke’s nieces for their weddings.

Emerald Peacock Tiara

Made by Van Cleef & Arpels for Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte, using two pendants that had belonged to her mother, Queen Astrid, the Emerald Peacock Tiara was often worn by her as a Necklace, though it has only been rarely worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria in recent years.

Aquamarine Tiara

Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte converted many lesser jewels into Tiaras and Parures, among them was the magnificent Aquamarine Parure she had received as aa Wedding Gift in 1953, the Bracelet of which was worn as an Aquamarine Tiara by the late 1970s. The Aquamarine Parure has been a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and has also been worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie in recent years.

Citrine and Pearl Tiara

The striking Citrine and Pearl Tiara is another converted Bracelet worn as a Tiara along with a striking Citrine or Topaz Parure, which was a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in the early years of her marriage and has now been often worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie in recent years.

Turquoise Tiara

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa rediscovered this Turquoise Tiara dating from the 1830s and an antique Turquoise Necklace in the Grand Ducal Vaults which was soon restored and has also been worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and Princess Alexandra.

Oval Amethyst Tiara

The Oval Amethyst Tiara was often worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and her sisters-in-law in the 1970s and 80s, but disappeared until it become a favourite of Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie in recent years.

Amethyst Tiara

Another one of the Grand Ducal semi-precious stone parures, this Amethyst Tiara, another converted bracelet, has been worn as a Tiara by Grand Duchess Maria Theresa, but is more frequently seen as a Bracelet.

Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara

A wedding gift to Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium from the then Belgian Colony of Congo, she wore the Congo Diamond Necklace as a Tiara at her religious wedding, and as a Necklace many times afterwards. The Tiara was worn by both of her daughters at their weddings, and by Grand Duchess Maria Theresa at her wedding in 1981, but has not been publicly seen in several years now.