In Defense of the Tiara – Teck Crescent Tiara

Programming Note: Hofdame Bits and Bobs will publish on Monday.

Time to dip back into the British Vault, way back, since this one hasn’t been seen on a royal head since the Queen Mum: The Teck Crescent Tiara.

The History

As the name suggests this one comes from the Teck side of the Royal Family, originating with Queen Mary’s mom, Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. Quick history on Mary Adelaide: she was a granddaughter of George III, so a cousin of Queen Victoria, and the younger sister of Grand Duchess Adelaide, who was the owner of the original Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara.

Ok…back to the tiara. This was created from various jewels that Mary Adelaide inherited from her aunt, Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester. Consisting of 3 wild roses and 20 crescent shapes (which can be worn facing either direction).

Mary Adelaide usually wore the tiara atop two rows of diamond rivieres, to give it a bit of added height. The tiara was also worn by her daughter in law, Margaret, Duchess of Teck (nee Lady Margaret Grosvenor), before finding its way to Queen Mary and the British Vaults.

The Case for the Tiara

The Bag: Love it. I know, I know, it appears to be referencing the Islamic Crescent which could well be construed as disrespectful in this day and age but I look at it as a unique design – there is nothing else like it that I know. It’s versatile! It would look fablous in the Duchess of Cambridge’s marvelously thick hair, and I suspect we will never see it there. Pity.

LG: I agree with The Bag about the Crescent motif, but like her I love this one too. I think Cams could rock this one, as it looks like it has a larger base, but seeing it on Catherine would be fab too!

OC: I have always been fully aboard this crazy train since I started following royalty. I had hoped this would show up on Eugenie’s wedding day. Bring. It. ON.

LiL: Love it, need it, got to have it. But since that’s highly unlikely, I’ll settle for it displayed on anyone’s head. Seriously. Anyone. Wills, Phil, Edward…anyone.

The Case against the Tiara

AS IF!