The votes are in and the Baguettes have chosen the Belgian State Visit to Britain as their sixties favorite. No one can blame you all , it’s was a sparklefest for sure. Onward to the seventies, where some changes are afoot in the major players.
British State Visit to Denmark, May 1979
The seventies had a new presence on the scene, and it was a big one. In January 1972, Denmark had a new Queen, the first since Queen Margrethe I (1376-1412). Margrethe II, Tante Daisy, stepped up to the big stage.
In May 1979, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were hosted by Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik for a two-day state visit to Denmark. The Welcome Ceremony featured hatted Queens and full uniforms on the gents, before they changed into slightly more casual gear to hang out at Amalienborg Palace.
The State Banquet was held at Christiansborg Palace, with Queen Elizabeth in the Burmese Ruby tiara, Queen Daisy in the Emerald parure, and Queen Ingrid in her Rubies (sadly, not pictured).
The Return Banquet was held on the Royal Yacht Britannia, with the Brits hosting. Queen Elizabeth wore one of my favorite of her gowns and the Brazilian Aquamarines, while Daisy wore the Alexandrine Drop (sigh) and Queen Ingrid sparkled in the Khedive.
Spanish State Visit to Sweden, October 1979
Note: We couldn’t have completed this segment without the the help of the Royal Watcher, who has done a lot of research on vintage state visits. For more information, check out their blog post.
Another big royal development in the seventies was the accession of King Juan Carlos in Spain, after 35 years of Franco. A series of state visits followed, with the glamorous Queen Sofia taking center stage. None was more glittering than the visit to Sweden in 1979 where another new young Queen was present. It was late autumn, but this being Scandinavia in the seventies, the ladies greeted each other in a fur-off.
During a State visit, Queen Sofia of Spain visits the University of Uppsala with Queen Silvia of Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden, October 1979. (Photo by Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images) 
The State Banquet was held at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, with Queen Silvia in the Leuchtenberg Sapphire tiara and Queen Sofia in the Spanish floral. Some of the extended Swedish royal family also attended. Princess Lillian wore the Laurel Wreath and Princess Desiree, who attended wearing her own tiara.
#RoyalFlashback | The Spanish State Banquet at the Royal Palace of Stockholm #OnThisDay in 1979, during King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia’s State Visit to Sweden: https://t.co/IIOL3VZbAJ pic.twitter.com/c5Fd18MjUk
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) October 16, 2020
The Return Banquet, hosted by the Spanish royals, featured Queen Sofia wearing the Prussian Diamond tiara and Queen Silvia in the Amethyst tiara. Again, the extended family showed up to support the cause. Princess Lillian wore the Four Button tiara, and there were also three Haga Princesses, Christina, Margaretha, and Desiree, in attendance.
The royals found time to fit in a Gala Performance to make it a three tiara event. We get a glimpse of Queen Sofia in the Niarchos Ruby tiara (a rare sight!) and Queen Silvia in the NIne Prong.
#RoyalFlashback | A Gala Performance in Stockholm during King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia’s State Visit to Sweden #OnThisDay in 1979: https://t.co/IIOL3VZbAJ pic.twitter.com/u9orOneeS4
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) October 16, 2020
Luxembourg State Visit to Britain, June 1972
In June 1972, the British royals hosted Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte for a State Visit. The visit began with a carriage ride and some fabulous hat and dress coordination on the ladies.
The sparkle was so intense at the State Banquet it almost hurt the eyes. The gowns were liberally sprinkled with sequins, and the tiaras! The Queen wore Alexandra’s Kokoshnik and the Grand Duchess brought the Luxembourg Empire out to play. I hope she also brought her aspirin ; ). As an aside, the Grand Duke looks like the happiest guest ever.
Luxembourgish state visit to the UK (1972). 🇱🇺🇬🇧
Grand Duke Jean and Queen Elizabeth II on their way to a state dinner, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte (born Princess of Belgium).#royalhistory pic.twitter.com/3bUIbwxYl4— RoyalArjan (@RoyalArjan) September 1, 2018
The Grand Duke and Duchess hosted the Return Banquet at Claridge’s in London. The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, and Princess Royal all attended, as did the Belgian Scroll, the Vladimir, and the Halo Scroll (nestled in QUITE a bouffant).
