Today marks the 190th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway, who was born on this day in 1836! The Nassau Princess amassed a huge jewellery collection (full of family heirlooms) that has been spread among her descendants in various European dynasties, not least the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish Royal Families!
Braganza Tiara
Origin: Empress Amélie of Brazil and then inherited by her sister, Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway, passing on to Queen Sofia in 1876
Fate: Passed down from Queen Victoria to Queen Louise before coming to Queen Silvia in 1976
Queen Sofia’s Nine Prong Tiara
Origin: Created by Queen Sofia from an older Diamond Hair Comb in the 1870s
Fate: Inherited by King Gustav V, and given as a Wedding Gift to Queen Louise in 1923, now worn by Queen Silvia
Norwegian Emerald Parure
Origin: Around 1806, likely a gift from Emperor Napoleon to Princess Augusta, Duchess of Leuchtenberg. Given to Empress Amelie of Brazil in 1831, it was inherited by her sister, Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway, and then by her daughter-in-law, Queen Sofia
Fate: Left it to her daughter-in-law, Princess Ingeborg, in 1913, before being given to her daughter, Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, during the Second World War and now worn by Queen Sonja of Norway.
Pearl and Star Tiara
Origin: A wedding gift to Queen Sofia from her half brother Adolphe, the Duke of Nassau, later Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Fate: Given by King Gustav V to his granddaughter, Queen Ingrid of Denmark, who in turn gave it to her daughter, Princess Benedikte, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
Pink Topaz Tiara
Origin: Created in the 1870s, likely for Queen Sofia
Fate: Left to her daughter-in-law, Princess Ebba Bernadotte, who in turn gave it to her daughter-in-law, Countess Estelle Bernadotte. Acquired by King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, it was stolen at Garrard in 1995.
Queen Sofia’s Nine Prong Tiara
The Norwegian Emerald Parure
Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara
Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Circlet
Diamond Daisy Bandeau
Norwegian Amethyst Parure
Vifte Tiara
Princess Ingeborg’s Boucheron Pearl Circle Tiara
King Olav’s Gift Tiara
Modern Gold Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet
Vasa Tiara
Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara
Princess Astrid’s Ruby Aigrette Tiara
Princess Astrid’s Gold Bandeau Tiara
Queen Sophia’s Diamond Bracelet Bandeau
Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara
Princess Lilian’s Laurel Wreath Tiara
Princess Sofia’s Wedding Tiara
