While I haven't been into the royal world as long as others, I have jumped in feet first! Fave families are the Scandis: Swedish, Danish and Norwegian, but I'll gladly go anywhere fabulous clothes and amazing jewels take me.
Apparently I am the expert on tiaras, orders, sashes, history and the Monegasque Princely Family...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…no, not Christmas…The Nobels!!!! Less than a month to go to my favorite royal event of the year.
With the news breaking this week that Princess Madeleine will attend this year, I thought we’d have some fun. With up to 5 royal ladies attending, we are set for some sparkle-riffic times. Everyone knows my favorite Nobel moment (#BigRed) and favorite tiara (#TeamBaden), now we are going to let you share yours. Favorite tiara, favorite look, favorite gown, favorite Laureate, favorite gent (hey there Uncle Tord…).
In honor of Queen Sofía’s birthday last Saturday, we are going to have a Handbagger free-for-all! Please post your favorite Queen Sofía evening appearance below; it doesn’t have to be Hall of Fame worthy, if you love it, post it!
Mine is probably (99% sure) from Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding. Fab color, love the ruching, and the lacy skirt…just magnificent!
Time to dive back into our Tiara Hall of Fame. This time we’re going to take a look at the tiaras from Cartier. I didn’t have a favorite floral tiara, but I definitely have a favorite Cartier tiara…The Cartier Diamond Loop Tiara from Spain.
Isn’t it fabulous…
This was was a wedding present for Archduchess Maria Christina of Spain from her husband King Alfonso XII in 1879. It’s got round pearls inside loops of round diamonds, those inside loops of smaller diamonds, and then topped with more round pearls.
On Maria Cristina’s death, the tiara was inherited by her son Alfonso XIII, but doesn’t seem to have been used by Victoria Eugenia. The tiara passed to Alfonso and Victoria Eugenia’s daughter-in-law, Princess Maria de las Mercedes, wife of Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona. Juan’s daughter Infanta Pilar, and Pilar’s daughter, Simoneta, both wore the tiara on their wedding days.
It showed up again on Queen Sofia during a state visit to Norway in 2006. No one is exactly sure of the path of ownership, but it’s back in the Spanish Vault for now.
For the last in our series of tiaras from the bride’s family, we are taking a look at the Lannoy Tiara.
The History
This tiara dates back to 1878, when it was made by Altenloh, a Belgian jeweler that created pieces which were purchased by Belgian royals and nobles. It is made up of platinum and 270 (!) diamonds, set in a scrolling, semi-natural setting. The star of the piece is the pear-shaped diamond set as the centerpiece, and platinum gilded pearls set as the outline.
This piece is most famous as the wedding tiara of Countess Stéphanie of Lannoy’s wedding tiara when she married Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg on October 20, 2012 (happy early anniversary, you two crazy kids). This tiara was also worn by Stéphanie’s sisters, and sisters-in-law for their weddings.
The only issue seems to be that this tiara is a bit light…which can lead to some interesting tiara situations.
Darn that wind…
The Case for the Tiara
The Handbag: I love this in all its twinkling dainty glory. It did seem a bit insubstantial when StephLux wore it for her wedding, but it was competing with a huge crusty Saab. I think in another setting it would make everyone swoon.
LG: It’ll never blow anyone away, but it’s quite lovely. Sometimes that’s all I need.
OC: It’s adorable, but I’d like to see it in a “regular” tiara appearance to properly judge it.
The Case against the Tiara
LiL: I feel bad about putting it in the “against” category because it’s actually very pretty. But is very tiny. And LiL doesn’t really do tiny tiaras.
For our next tiara in our “Bride’s Family Tiaras” we are heading to Germany for the Isenburg Floral Tiara.
The History
The Isenburg Floral was made in Paris in the 1860 and is the traditional wedding tiara of members of the Princely Family of Isenburg. Princess Sophie of Isenburg is possibly the most famous wearer, but the tiara has also been worn by her sisters, Princess Isabelle and Princess Katharina, and sister in law Sarah Lorenz.
Princess Sophie
Princess Sarah
The Case for the Tiara
LiL: I like it! It has a Mellerio floral quality to it, which I enjoy. I prefer it more laidback with a bit of hair behind it like Sophie’s wearing it, but Sarah looks lovely too.
OC: It’s a fairly substantial tiara that manages to look delicate. I’d like to see the ruckus if we have a dance off between this, the Spanish, and the Lux florals.
The Case against the Tiara
The Handbag: Limit it to brides and I am ok with it. That’s not really an “against” but more of a limitation, right?
The Case of the Meh
LG: I’m not a huge floral fan, so this doesn’t really ping major emotions or feelings from me, other than it does look good on both brides.
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