Next up in our series is one of the most famous wedding tiaras in the world: The Khedive of Egypt Tiara.
Another story that is well known to most royal watchers; this one starts it’s royal journey in Sweden. Gifted to Princess Margaret of Connaught (granddaughter of Queen Victoria) by the Khedive of Egypt, upon her wedding to Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden. Why a present from the Khedive? Gustaf Adolf and Margaret met, and were engaged in Egypt!
Sadly, Margaret did not live to become Queen of Sweden, and the tiara passed to her daughter Ingrid upon her death. When Ingrid married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 1935, she brought her mother’s tiara with her. Ingrid was quite generous with the tiara, loaning it to both Princess Margaretha of Denmark (sister of Crown Princess Martha of Norway and Queen Astrid of Belgium) and to Princess Margaretha of Sweden (her niece).
It’s most well known as the bridal tiara of the Danish and Greek Royal families. It was first used as a bridal tiara by Princess Anne Marie of Denmark upon her marriage to King Constantine II of Greece. It has also been worn by all the other royal women descended from Queen Ingrid on their wedding days: Margrethe, Benedikte, Alexia, Alexandra and Nathalie. We’ll see if Theodora continues this tradition with her wedding next year.
See the other post from today for photos of the brides with the various iterations of the Khedive.
The Case for the Tiara
LG: I love this one, always have; although I don’t like the base AM added, but that’s a quibble. It can read a bit one-dimensional in photos, but seems to come to life when it’s worn. Hopefully Theodora carries on the tradition, and this tiara makes it’s way back home to Denmark one day.
The Handbag: Oh, I wish I had a definitive yes or no for you but I vacillate so much on this. In that top photo above, it’s glorious. It looks great on Anne Marie at her wedding, all nestled down in her hair. It did not win my heart when Nathalie wore it in 2011 – that new frame makes it float oddly above the wearer’s heads. However, I am giving out points for history and continuity, and this makes it fall in the win column.
OC: Symmetry plus history plus bridal tradition plus universal awesomeness of diamonds? SO TWEE! Who am I kidding?? Not a thing wrong with this piece or the way it is traditionally used. LiL makes an excellent point below, though.
The Case against the Tiara
LiL: I wish I could put my finger on the exact reason I don’t care for this tiara. Is it because of all of the swirlies? Maybe. I think my main reason is it’s one dimensional look. It looks “flat”. No depth to it at all. Like it’s made out of tinfoil.
Ok guys, what do you think?