Happy Birthday to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, who turns 55 today! The only daughter of the late King Harald V and Queen Sonja has quite a large jewellery collection, which began with this striking Pearl Choker!
King Olav’s Gift Tiara | Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara | Amethyst Tiara | Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Circlet | Tanzanite Suite | Moonstone Parure | Pearl Choker | Diamond Necklace | Aquamarine and Amethyst Suite | The Jewels of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
A five-strand pearl choker, with an antique pearl and diamond clasp, from which three diamond pendants are suspended, the Choker was either a gift to Princess Märtha Louise from her grandfather, King Olav V of Norway, or her parents, then Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja, at time of her Confirmation in 1986.
Princess Märtha Louise notably debuted the Pearl Choker for the Gala Dinner held at the Royal Palace of Oslo after her Confirmation Service in May 1986.
While Princess Märtha Louise would receive her Moonstone Suite, Diamond Necklace, and King Olav’s Gift Tiara by the time of her 18th Birthday in 1989, the Pearl Choker remained a favourite through the 1980s and 1990s, being notably worn for the Confirmation of Crown Prince Haakon in 1988, Crown Prince Haakon’s 18th Birthday in 1991, Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary Gala in 1992, and King Harald and Queen Sonja’s Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1993.
Princess Märtha Louise also wore the Pearl Choker for the Wedding Gala of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Sibilla Weiller in 1994, King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 50th Birthday Gala in 1996, and King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 60th Birthday Gala in 1997.
After wearing the Pearl Choker with King Olav’s Gift Tiara at Queen Margrethe’s 60th Birthday Banquet in 2000, Princess Märtha Louise paired the Choker with a whimsical gown at the Gala held on the eve of her Wedding to Ari Behn in 2002.
In 2010, Princess Märtha Louise paired the Choker with her Diamond Chandelier Earrings for a Gala during the Dutch State Visit.
Most recently, the Pearl Choker was worn by Princess Märtha Louise for the Funeral of King Harald V of Norway at Oslo Cathedral earlier this month, following a Procession from the Royal Palace of Oslo. There is no doubt we will continue to see this heirloom worn for years to come!
The Jewels of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Circlet
Princess Märtha Louise’s Tanzanite Suite
Princess Märtha Louise’s Wedding Brooch
Princess Märtha Louise’s Pearl Choker
Princess Märtha Louise’s Moonstone Parure
Princess Märtha Louise’s Diamond Chandelier Earrings
Crown Princess Märtha’s Silver Wedding Earrings
Princess Märtha Louise’s Diamond Necklace
Queen Maud’s Seed Pearl Choker
Queen Sonja’s Aquamarine and Amethyst Suite
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
Diamond Daisy Bandeau
Norwegian Amethyst Parure
Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara
Vifte Tiara
Crown Princess Märtha’s Pearl Earrings
Queen Maud’s Drapers’ Company Brooch
Crown Princess Märtha’s Silver Wedding Earrings
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Pendant Earrings
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Diamond Flowers
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Diamond Bracelet
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Ruby Crescent Brooch
Queen Maud’s Aquamarine Brooch
Diamond and Pearl Brooch
Queen Sonja’s Diamond Filigree Brooch
Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Ruby Heart Pendant
Diamond Leaf Brooch
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
Princess Ingeborg’s Boucheron Pearl Tiara
Ruby Heart Pendant
Crown Princess Märtha’s Pearl Earrings
Queen Maud’s Order of Victoria and Albert Bracelet
Art Deco Diamond Bracelet
Pearl Pendant Earrings