Royal Jewels

[LadyMaria]

Here is the picture of Caroline Heering at the opera gala which I already posted months ago. The thread has grown so long that it becomes very difficult to find older posts, lol, so I post it again.

Is it customary for a lady-in-waiting to wear a tiara? She's not of the royal house or family...

All the other modern tiaras of the exhibition are more or less awful, imho.

Agreed! What was with the one that looked like a corset?

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Dear Lady Maia, are you a member of a royal family or house when you wear a tiara? From what I know about you, I can say that you're not, yet nobody questions your right to waer one Of course Mrs. Heering is entitled to wear a tiara at what was the most formal occasion of the Danish royal year - the concert for HM The Queen's 70th birthday. In the years when she acted a Mary's LiW she usually wore a diamond tiara for state banquets and such.
Later I'll upload some photos of various Ladies-in-waiting wearing their tiaras.

To Cordata - I'll search a bit and tell you if Caroline Heering is only a private secretary or both, pr. sec. & l-i-w.

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Cordata, it seems I was wrong and you partly correct. The Danish monarchy's site says Tanya Doky is a lady-in-waiting and private secretary, while Caroline Heering is also a lady-in-waiting and an advisor of the Mary Foundation.

Regards,
Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

This night there was a very nice concert in Madrid for Plácido Domingo's 70th birthday. The concert was attended by HM Queen Sofia and HRH Infanta Pilar.
The Queen wore a multi-coloured pearl necklace and earrings and a brooch that looks a lot like the badge of the order of the Golden Fleece:

Her Royal Highness (looking very well) wore her necklace of large pearl and sapphire earrings:

Wishing the birthday boy lots of health (he said he needs it) and lets hope for another such concert after ten years!
Bobby

 

[Principessa]

Thank you Bobby very much for you welcome!

Yes, that is what I had on mind.
It might be her design, or her request to a designer, as a nod to Prince Henrik's certainly deeply emotional connection with Vietnam.

I would take an opportunity here and ask you, if it is known, from which Queen Victoria's jewelry pieces consists the tiara of
Countess of Wessex? Thank you ahead for your answer!
Liza

 

[QueenShelly]

Question?
Once William marries Kate does she have to receive a title?
Since she has no jewels, once received do they become hers if there gifts?
If they have children do there children have to receive titles?
Do u believe the training she is getting now will help her in thef further, since she will have to be in compation with the old Dutch

 

[Cordata]

Cordata, it seems I was wrong and you partly correct. The Danish monarchy's site says Tanya Doky is a lady-in-waiting and private secretary, while Caroline Heering is also a lady-in-waiting and an advisor of the Mary Foundation.

Regards,
Bobby

Thank you for your research, Bobby!
Here is Caroline Heering with the diamond tiara which she usually wears. I have heard that it is from the Heering family.
Caroline's mother-in-law is a close friend of the Queen, she runs a ballet school for children and Queen Margrethe ususally designs the costumes for their Christmas ballet. So I thought that maybe Caroline Heering borrowed a tiara for the Queen's birthday because Susanne Heering was also invited and wanted to wear the family tiara. But this is only a theory, since I havent's seen pictures of Susanne Heering at the gala.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Thanks for the photo and the additional information about the Heerings. Maybe (as you say) that's why Caroline had to borrow the Chandelier tiara.

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Thank you Bobby very much for you welcome!

Yes, that is what I had on mind.
It might be her design, or her request to a designer, as a nod to Prince Henrik's certainly deeply emotional connection with Vietnam.

I would take an opportunity here and ask you, if it is known, from which Queen Victoria's jewelry pieces consists the tiara of
Countess of Wessex? Thank you ahead for your answer!
Liza

The Countess of Wessex's tiara consists of elements from Queen Victoria's regal circlet that could be worn instead of the fleurs-de-lis. I believe the announcement about the wedding tiara said it's from HM's private collection.
You can see in theis photo, posted on RJWMB some time ago, where the elements were originally placed in the tray. The hole in the middle was for the Koh-i-Noor diamond in it's brooch setting.

Question?
Once William marries Kate does she have to receive a title?
Since she has no jewels, once received do they become hers if there gifts?
If they have children do there children have to receive titles?
Do u believe the training she is getting now will help her in thef further, since she will have to be in compation with the old Dutch

Well, once Catherine and William say I do to eachother, she legally becomes HRH Princess William of Wales, or if the Queen has conferred a title upon her grandson - HRH The Duchess/Marchoness/Countess of Y.
The jewels are a private matter. I can't tell wheter they will be hers to do whatever she sees fit with them, or if they will be (life) loans. Perhaps jewels from the royal family (esp ones with royal history) will be part of the agreement they'll sign before the wedding.
The eldest living son of the eldest living son of the Prince of Wales is HRH Prince (name) of Wales. The other children will be (during Elizabeth II reign) Lord/Lady (name) Windsor. Once their grandfather becomes King, they will all become HRH Prince/ss (name) of Cornwall, and possibly later of Wales.
Yes, I do believe her training will be helpfull in her royal future. The same goes for Prince Daniel of Sweden, too. They certanly don't want to make the same mistakes anymore... I think Diana and Silvia have both complained that they're not told what to do, they simply let they cope with the situation as they could.

PS: Forgive my ignorance but what does to be in compation with the old Dutch mean?

Hope I was helpfull at least to one of you.

Regards
Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

I forgot the photo, didn't I?

And here's another happy event we should be looking forward to - the wedding between Georg Friedrich, Prinz von Preussen (head of the house) and Prinzessin Sophie von Isenburg. The couple was enganed on January 21. Th wedding will be later this year.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Guys, the Norwegian royal family offers us some new glittering photos! They were taken on occasion of King Harald V's 20th anniversay on the throne.
You can see the photos on the RF's website and for HQs go here - http://currentroyalnews.blogspot.com/2011/01/king-harald-of-norwaqys-20th.html
These photos show the jewels in great detail. Love them all. Only if Martha-Lousie wasn't missing.

Bobby

 

[Principessa]

Yes, Bobby. Thank you. You are a rare "Encyclopedia"! I always think, that this thread couldn't be what it is, without your enormous knowledge! My compliments.
I have never seen the circlet in its case "undressed" if you will.Thank you.I have to say, that I have a problem with the Wessex tiara not being anchored properly.It is a strange floating design. Not appealing unless the base is completely covered with hair,IMO.
Now of course when I see the original idea, the elements make perfect sense. Do we know if prince Albert had his hand in this circlet variation? I do admire his other designs.

Liza

 

[Principessa]

Great pictures, Bobby! Thank you for the link.Princess Martha is always such a luminous presence. I miss her pictures,too.

Here is HRH Princess Victoria in Abu-Dhabi yesterday. What interesting perl earrings she wears!

Liza

 

[JewelFreak]

Bobby, many thanks for the Queen Victoria circlet photos & info! I agree w/Principessa, your knowledge is so helpful. So do I have it right that the C. of Wessex's tiara is the circlet base w/the substitute pieces inserted? It isn't the most graceful tiara of the RF but the history is neat.

It is so hard to find info on the Norwegian RF jewels, except for tiaras, that I wonder what you folks know about the provenance of this brooch, here on Mette-Marit (birthday of P. Ingrid-Alexandra). Another photo of Queen Maude wearing it -- was it a wedding present to Maude from her groom, or possibly from her parents? It is so beautiful, I drool looking at it.

Also another of M-M because I LOVE her earrings!

--- Laurie

 

[T L]

Today two royal ladies have reasons to celebrate - HRH The Countess of Wessex and HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium celebrate the anniversary of their births. Lets hope they'll shine in their jewels for many more years!

Bobby

That's the same cross the Countess of Wessex wore to her wedding to Prince Edward!! Haven't seen it in a while.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Yes, Bobby. Thank you. You are a rare "Encyclopedia"! I always think, that this thread couldn't be what it is, without your enormous knowledge! My compliments.
I have never seen the circlet in its case "undressed" if you will.Thank you.I have to say, that I have a problem with the Wessex tiara not being anchored properly.It is a strange floating design. Not appealing unless the base is completely covered with hair,IMO.
Now of course when I see the original idea, the elements make perfect sense. Do we know if prince Albert had his hand in this circlet variation? I do admire his other designs.

Liza

Thank you, Liza! You're really very kind!
You know, I sometimes wonder what LadyAmythyst69 is doing and I thank her for starting the topic, because I can't imagine the thread without her. I hope someday she'll log in and tell us she's ok and hasn't forgotten us here. Hope her mum's better now.

The regal circler of Queen Victora was actually made for Queen Adelaide to use after the Coronation of her husband with diamonds from her Coronation Crown. The diamonds were before that been set in a large diamond stomacher, a wedding present to Queen Charlotte. The Circlet was then modified in 1853, so that the Koh-i-Noor and the Cumberland diamonds could be used with it. It was then changed again in 1857 after Hannover won the clame for Queen Charlotte's jewellery and finally in 1858 was recreated with diamonds supplied by Gerrards and The Queen. I, however, have never read if The Prince Concort was involved in any of the changes of the jewel.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

That's the same cross the Countess of Wessex wore to her wedding to Prince Edward!! Haven't seen it in a while.

Yes, it's the same necklace. I guess we'll see it on April 29th.

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Bobby, many thanks for the Queen Victoria circlet photos & info! I agree w/Principessa, your knowledge is so helpful. So do I have it right that the C. of Wessex's tiara is the circlet base w/the substitute pieces inserted? It isn't the most graceful tiara of the RF but the history is neat.

It is so hard to find info on the Norwegian RF jewels, except for tiaras, that I wonder what you folks know about the provenance of this brooch, here on Mette-Marit (birthday of P. Ingrid-Alexandra). Another photo of Queen Maude wearing it -- was it a wedding present to Maude from her groom, or possibly from her parents? It is so beautiful, I drool looking at it.

Also another of M-M because I LOVE her earrings!

--- Laurie

Thank you, dear Laurie! It's always a pleasure to share what I know with avaerybody here

Re Queen Maud's pearl brooch - Yes, it was a wedding present to her and one can see it in the llustrated London News along with other wedding presents. I have two scans of the page, but unfortunately they're both too blury to read the name of the presenter.

Re the CPss' earrings - you may have noticed that HRH's wearing the same earrings in both photos you posted! They're very nice and a totally versatile piece of jewellery. I wonder what the red stone might be?

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Bobby, many thanks for the Queen Victoria circlet photos & info! I agree w/Principessa, your knowledge is so helpful. So do I have it right that the C. of Wessex's tiara is the circlet base w/the substitute pieces inserted? It isn't the most graceful tiara of the RF but the history is neat.

........
--- Laurie

The base of the Regal circlet being part of Sophie Wessex's weadding tiara? No! As you can see in the photo, the elements from Queen Victoria's diadem were placed on a simple wire frame.
BTW, I think it's time to lower the base of the tiara. It's unlikely that Sophie will grow longer hair to be able to have a more puffy coiffure (like Camilla). I think that's how the tiara will look more appealing to the eye. I almost wonder what the Countess thinks about that.

 

[JewelFreak]

Lowering it would help, Bobby. I also wonder if it might look better without the half-moon piece; in other words, with just the 3 more pointed pieces. Somehow it's awkward as it is currently. It would be even nicer if the Queen could rustle around in the jewel vault & find Sophie something more becoming. This one just isn't truly successful, inmho.

I wonder too what the red stones are in M-M's earrings. Rubies, maybe rubellites. I think I vote for rubies. I just love the design -- they look modern but fit perfectly with antique jewelry, very graceful.

--- Laurie

 

[Principessa]

I agree Laurie, that it does look like rubies, the"fire" seems certainly like it.

To the Wessex tiara: I have the exact opinion. I think that the placement in the etui suggest how the pieces were intended on the circlet.
What a petty, that Countess wasn't given a better,higher circlet for the creation of her tiara,
the original design could have been executed to a much better effect IMO.

Thank you for the great pictures of M-M! And what splendid jewelry on Queen Maud!

Liza

 

[LadyMaria]

Dear Lady Maia, are you a member of a royal family or house when you wear a tiara? From what I know about you, I can say that you're not, yet nobody questions your right to waer one Of course Mrs. Heering is entitled to wear a tiara at what was the most formal occasion of the Danish royal year - the concert for HM The Queen's 70th birthday. In the years when she acted a Mary's LiW she usually wore a diamond tiara for state banquets and such.
Later I'll upload some photos of various Ladies-in-waiting wearing their tiaras.

To Cordata - I'll search a bit and tell you if Caroline Heering is only a private secretary or both, pr. sec. & l-i-w.

Bobby

Yes, I wear my tiaras while cleaning up after the kids throwing up or doing housework, but if I somehow got invited to some true royal event, I wouldn't think I'd be allowed to wear a tiara. I don't plan on bringing one when I go to see the Diana exhibit in Michigan!

I'm looking foward to the l-i-w pics!

 

[LadyMaria]

I forgot the photo, didn't I?

Very interesting view of the pieces of Sophie's tiara. I'm not crazy about it...always thought it could use some filling in between the three elements. But seeing the original pieces shows me there really is not way to fill in like I thought without a major overhaul.

 

[LadyMaria]

Guys, the Norwegian royal family offers us some new glittering photos! They were taken on occasion of King Harald V's 20th anniversay on the throne.
You can see the photos on the RF's website and for HQs go here - http://currentroyalnews.blogspot.com/2011/01/king-harald-of-norwaqys-20th.html
These photos show the jewels in great detail. Love them all. Only if Martha-Lousie wasn't missing.

Bobby

Wow, that is the best shot of the amethyst tiara I've ever seen! I never realized part of it was set in yellow gold.

 

[LadyMaria]

The base of the Regal circlet being part of Sophie Wessex's weadding tiara? No! As you can see in the photo, the elements from Queen Victoria's diadem were placed on a simple wire frame.
BTW, I think it's time to lower the base of the tiara. It's unlikely that Sophie will grow longer hair to be able to have a more puffy coiffure (like Camilla). I think that's how the tiara will look more appealing to the eye. I almost wonder what the Countess thinks about that.

This picture really illustrates what I'm talking about...you've got the high point in the center, the two big gaps on either side, then the remaining two elements. If those gaps were filled in, maybe with that main element repeated and turned upside down and fit in the gaps, I think the tiara would look more complete.

 

[jean95404]

The tiara belonging to The Countess of Wessex looks like it was thrown together with wire from a coat hanger and bits and pieces of jewelry with historical value (Victoria's) glued on to a high frame to make it seem more than it is. Who could have designed this tiara?

I agree with the other posters that if the section below the center piece were removed the balance of the three matching pieces would be more esthetically pleasing. Perhaps either adding some decorative work to the frame or at least wrapping the bare metal framework with a velvet closely matching the Countess' hair color could be considered. Wonder if they have ever thought of combing the Countess' hair through the framework somewhat. The bare wire is unpleasantly distracting IMHO.

Perhaps those who make the decisions on "who gets what" decided a countess, even if the daughter in law of the queen, did not rate as much of a status tiara as say a duchess who was a daughter in law to the queen. Kind of like air travel: first class, business class, economy class.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Yes, I wear my tiaras while cleaning up after the kids throwing up or doing housework, but if I somehow got invited to some true royal event, I wouldn't think I'd be allowed to wear a tiara. I don't plan on bringing one when I go to see the Diana exhibit in Michigan!

I'm looking foward to the l-i-w pics!

Yes, but tiaras are not restricted to royaly and nobility only. If you ever get an invitiation for a white-tie event (or in some cases black-tie), then you're more than free to wear one. If you, however, decide to appear in your pearls or the tanzanite demi-parure only , then the face control would not return you, even if he knows you have a decent tiara collection, because you're not obliged to wear one if you don't want to.
So, if a lady (in that case Caroline Heering) gets an invitation for a white-tie concert and reception and if she can afford to borrow a tiara from a jeweller, or has a family/private one - then she's free to wear it proudly.

The photos of the ladies-in-waiting are already in the tiara thread (they're not royal, you know).

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

The tiara belonging to The Countess of Wessex looks like it was thrown together with wire from a coat hanger and bits and pieces of jewelry with historical value (Victoria's) glued on to a high frame to make it seem more than it is. Who could have designed this tiara?

I agree with the other posters that if the section below the center piece were removed the balance of the three matching pieces would be more esthetically pleasing. Perhaps either adding some decorative work to the frame or at least wrapping the bare metal framework with a velvet closely matching the Countess' hair color could be considered. Wonder if they have ever thought of combing the Countess' hair through the framework somewhat. The bare wire is unpleasantly distracting IMHO.

Perhaps those who make the decisions on "who gets what" decided a countess, even if the daughter in law of the queen, did not rate as much of a status tiara as say a duchess who was a daughter in law to the queen. Kind of like air travel: first class, business class, economy class.

My guess is that the tiara was either already in existence before the wedding, or that The Queen and Prince Edward designded it. But then again, there wasn't much to be designed - more likely assembling.

The Queen is the one who decides "who gets what" as these are her private jewels. Maybe you're right that there's some sort of division, but IMO all of HM's daughters-in-law have rather large tiaras and, with the exception of Sarah, with royal history. We should also not forget that The Countess of Wessex is so far the only one to have a second tiara, besides the Princesses of Wales.

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Do you think these two bracelets look the same? I mean, are they the same model? Any guesses who the jeweller might be?
I'll let you guess who the ladies are

And for those of you that love Wallis Windsor's jewels, here's a clip about the recenp auction of some of her jewels - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ttqgSzeNg&feature=player_embedded Now we know where at least on jewel went.

Bobby

 

[jean95404]

I had not known that the Countess of Wessex had two tiaras. Thank you for that information Bobby. I have always enjoyed the knowledge that you have and generously share with the forum.

I read somewhere that Prince Edward designed the pearl necklace with the black and white pearl cross that Sophie wore as her wedding jewelry. It did not appear to have finesse in design, so perhaps Prince Edward did have a hand in putting the tiara together. Has anyone noted seeing that tiara worn by anyone else prior to it being given to Sophie upon becoming the Countess?