Princess Astrid of Sweden received two Tiaras, a Diamond Rivière and Napoleonic Emerald Jewels among several spectacular Wedding Gifts when she married Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium in Stockholm and Brussels 100 years ago!
Royal Guests and Relatives gathered from around Europe to attend the Wedding of Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium and Princess Astrid of Sweden in a Religious Ceremony at the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral in Brussels 100 years ago, following a Civil Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Stockholm a few days earlier.
The most spectacular Wedding Gift was from the Belgian Government; An Art Deco Tiara of a meander base topped with eleven big round diamonds that represented the nine Belgian Provinces, the then Belgian Colony of Congo, and the Belgian Royal House, with the Tiara created by Van Bever in Antwerp using Diamonds from Congo.
The Nine Provinces Tiara was only completed after the wedding, when it was received by the newlywed Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and notably worn by Queen Astrid as well as all subsequent Queens.
From her parents, Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark, Princess Astrid received a set of Emerald and Diamond Jewels, consisting of a pair of Earrings, a Brooch and two Pendants, made from parts of the Norwegian Emerald Parure.
Queen Astrid wore the Emerald Jewels on numerous occasions over the next decade and they were joined by an Emerald and Diamond Tiara in 1930. While their exact fate is not known, it is believed that the Emeralds were used to create the Emerald Peacock Tiara for her daughter, Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg.
King Gustav V of Sweden gave a Diamond Rivière to his niece, Princess Astrid, which was notably worn for her Wedding Ceremonies in Stockholm and Brussels and on several occasions over the next decade, but it’s fate after her passing is not known.
Princess Astrid also received an Art Deco Tiara crafted by the Stockholm court jeweller K.A. Andersson featuring a large Oriental baroque pearl, from the citizens of Stockholm.
The Stockholm Tiara was notably worn by Crown Princess Astrid at the Vatican in 1930, and it was later worn as a Brooch by the Princess of Réthy but it’s current location is not known.
