Our countdown of your favorite tiaras continues with...
#10. The Khedive of Egypt Tiara
The Khedive of Egypt Tiara |
A sketch of the gem - you will note it is upside down, in stomacher fashion - from the couple's wedding gifts |
Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden |
Queen Ingrid of Denmark |
Princess Margaretha of Sweden |
She loaned this one to her niece, Sweden's Princess Margaretha, while she was in Denmark for Margrethe's 18th birthday celebrations. And then she began a family tradition that continues to this day when she loaned the Khedive to each of her three daughters on their wedding days. Every female descendant of Ingrid's has worn the tiara for their wedding ever since Queen Anne-Marie in 1964. Anne-Marie's youngest daughter, Princess Theodora, is the only granddaughter currently unmarried; after that, it will likely be a while before we see if the tradition will continue to the great-granddaughters as well.
L to R: Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Princess Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess Alexandra of S-W-B, Princess Alexia of Greece, Princess Nathalie of S-W-B |
When Ingrid died, she left the tiara to Anne-Marie, her youngest daughter. (Anne-Marie is the one that had a taller base put on the tiara, which is why it looks quite different on Princess Nathalie in the photos above.) It's interesting to ponder what will happen to the tiara now that it is in the Greek royal family. The Greeks are royals without a country, but since they have such close family ties to other current royal families, we still see them attending big events regularly. However, it is inevitable that as time and generations pass on they will have fewer royal events to attend, and a lack of tiara events combined with the occasional need for funds is often the culprit behind the sale of family jewels.
This is one of the most interesting tiara designs in use: the swirled design seems modern from far away, but the detail up close turns that modern clock back in time. It’s never been a huge favorite of mine, but if I had to guess why so many of you cast your vote in its favor, I’d say it’s maybe one part design to two parts sentimentality. Am I close?Why do you like this one? (Or why not, if it didn’t make your list?)
Photos: Polfoto/Corbis/Daylife