In Europe, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, known as the “Pocket Kingdom,” may be a small nation with a population of only 660,000, but its royal family is incredibly wealthy. They have amassed an impressive collection of significant jewels, one of which even served as inspiration for Wonder Woman’s tiara.
01
The Luxembourg Empire Tiara
This tiara, also known as the Wall Tiara, is encrusted with diamonds and stands over 10 centimeters tall, making it one of the largest diamond tiaras in the world.
The origin of this tiara is unknown, but according to existing records, its history can be traced back to the early 19th century. German jeweler Jacob repaired the tiara in 1829, possibly as a wedding gift for Princess Pauline of Württemberg and Duke William of Nassau.
In 1890, when the German Duke of Nassau became the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this tiara became a royal jewel used by the Grand Duchesses or the wives of Grand Dukes.
In 1919, when the reigning Grand Duchess Charlotte married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, she wore this tiara. After Charlotte’s abdication, she passed the tiara to her daughter-in-law, Princess Joséphine of Belgium.
When Joséphine’s husband abdicated in favor of their son Henri in 2001, the tiara was passed from Joséphine to her daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. Maria Teresa only began wearing this tiara publicly after her mother-in-law’s passing.
Maria Teresa often wears the Empire Tiara together with diamond necklaces. The history of these two diamond necklaces can be traced back to the 19th century. The shorter necklace features 35 diamonds, while the longer one has 45 diamonds.
Possibly due to the tiara’s significant weight, Maria Teresa only wears it for important state visits.
02
The Chaumet Emerald Tiara
In 1926, Prince Felix sent various ancient family jewels to Chaumet in Paris, commissioning them to create a tiara for his wife, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. Among these jewels was a massive 45-carat pear-shaped emerald, a gift from Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1859.
This tiara was designed in the Art Deco style, with the enormous emerald inverted and set at its peak.
Grand Duchess Charlotte was very fond of this tiara and wore it frequently during her reign. During World War II, Grand Duchess Charlotte was a prominent figure in the resistance against Nazi Germany. It is said that her symbolic significance inspired the famous Wonder Woman tiara, hence this tiara is also known as the Wonder Woman Tiara.
After Grand Duchess Charlotte’s abdication, she passed the tiara to her daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Joséphine, who rarely wore it. Later, Joséphine passed the tiara to her daughter-in-law, Maria Teresa.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa is particularly fond of this tiara and often wears it in combination with Queen Astrid’s emerald necklace and her mother-in-law’s emerald earrings.
03
The Adelaide Sapphire Tiara
This tiara was made between 1865 and 1870 for Grand Duchess Adelheid of Luxembourg. It is set with diamonds and a large sapphire. Most of the tiara consists of an intricate leaf design with diamond berries set on the leaves. At the center of the tiara is a massive sapphire, but more interestingly, this deep blue gemstone can be removed and replaced with other gems.
Later, this tiara was passed to Luxembourg’s first female monarch, Grand Duchess Adelaide. In 1919, when Grand Duchess Adelaide abdicated, she passed the tiara to her sister, Grand Duchess Charlotte.
Grand Duchess Charlotte frequently wore this tiara during her reign. After her abdication, she passed it to her daughter-in-law Joséphine, who rarely wore it. Later, Joséphine passed the tiara to her daughter-in-law Maria Teresa. Maria Teresa has worn it several times, pairing it with diamond necklaces.
In recent years, Maria Teresa’s daughter-in-law, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, has frequently worn this tiara at events.
04
The Belgian Scroll Diamond Tiara
In 1953, when Belgian Princess Joséphine married the Crown Prince of Luxembourg, the Société Générale de Belgique presented this Belgian Scroll Diamond Tiara as a wedding gift to Princess Joséphine.
This tiara is set with 854 diamonds, totaling 46.42 carats. The central 8.1-carat diamond can be removed and worn as a ring, and the entire central section can be worn as a brooch.
05
The Emerald Peacock Tiara Necklace
Shortly after the marriage of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Belgian Princess Joséphine, Joséphine commissioned Van Cleef & Arpels to create an emerald tiara in the shape of a peacock’s tail.
Two of the emeralds used in this tiara came from Joséphine’s mother and can be traced back to the Napoleonic era.
This tiara features a convertible design and can be worn as a necklace.
06
Sapphire Necklace & Tiara
In the image above, Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie is wearing a necklace composed of large pear-shaped diamonds and smaller sapphires. This piece can be worn as both a necklace and a tiara.
The gemstones in the tiara possibly came from Grand Duchess Hilda of Baden, who later left some jewelry to Grand Duchess Joséphine.
07
The Congo Diamond Necklace & Tiara
The Congo Diamond Necklace & Tiara, created by Van Cleef & Arpels, was a wedding gift from Belgian Princess Joséphine’s father when she married the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The diamonds in this piece came from what was then the Belgian colony of Congo.
This necklace can not only be worn as a tiara, but the matching bracelet can also be worn as a necklace.
In 1981, when then-Crown Prince Henri of Luxembourg married Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess Joséphine lent this tiara to Maria Teresa to wear. Shortly after, Maria Teresa wore this tiara for an official royal portrait.
Joséphine’s youngest daughter, Princess Margaretha, also wore this tiara at her wedding.
08
The Vine Leaves Diamond Tiara
This charming and romantic Vine Leaves Diamond Tiara was made in the second half of the 19th century. It has long been a favorite bridal tiara among female members of the Luxembourg royal family.
All four daughters of Grand Duchess Charlotte wore it at their weddings.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie also wore this headpiece at her wedding reception in 2012.
09
The Turquoise Set
In the image above, Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie is wearing a tiara set with several pear-shaped turquoises surrounded by diamonds, with a diamond-encrusted base. It was created around 1830.
The matching necklace is set with a row of oval turquoises and diamonds, as well as a row of pear-shaped turquoise and diamond fringe pendants.
In addition to these, the Luxembourg royal family has a vast collection of jewelry, which we won’t cover in detail today.
Luxembourg’s Royal Jewels: Extravagant Treasures of Europe’s Pocket-Sized Kingdom
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