Tiara Thursday: The Norwegian Gold Bandeau

During this year's state visit from Germany to Norway, Princess Astrid of Norway wore a tiara that I would say is one of the most unusual tiaras currently in use in a European royal house. Let's give it some attention for an off-the-wall Thursday treat, shall we?

The Norwegian Gold Bandeau

In low bandeau form, this tiara is primarily gold. The gold is studded with a variety of stones in different shapes and colors: green, red, white. It looks petite, but is a complete circlet when viewed from the side, and it's part of a parure with a set of earrings and a brooch. Astrid is said to have inherited this set from her maternal grandmother, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden (1878-1958, a princess of Denmark who married into the Swedish royal family).

Princess Astrid, with close ups on the brooch and earrings

Jewels from Ingeborg can be found in several countries these days, as her descendants reign in Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg. But I can't help but think that this particular set is lucky that it was passed to Princess Astrid. It doesn't really fit in with current tiara trends, if you will, and I have to imagine that many would leave this one in the vault. Not Astrid, though; she possesses one of the most eclectic collections around, and she wears even the wackiest pieces with regularity. She has exactly the right spirit for it, and I find it hard to imagine a piece like this on anyone else.

How do you rate this unusual bandeau?

Photos: NTB Scanpix/Kongehuset