Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg are going to be starting their three-day State Visit to Japan, which includes a glittering State Banquet, tomorrow! Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa pulled out of the visit due to her fear of flying, replaced by Princess Alexandra on her first State Visit. As the world’s only Grand Duchy, the family has one of the largest jewellery collections (with over twenty Tiaras as compared to the three tiaras at the use of their cousin, Queen Mathilde, in Belgium). In honour of the upcoming visit, we are taking a (long overdue) look at the vast Luxembourg Grand Ducal Tiara collection-
Luxembourg Empire Tiara
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The ‘Big Gun Tiara’ of the collection, theLuxembourg Empire Tiara has been in theGrand Ducal Family since the 1829, and was probably made by Jakob Tillmann Speltz. Exclusively at the use of the Grand duch*ess, the Empire Tiara was worn by Grand duch*ess Charlotte at her 1919 wedding and her abdication, Grand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte for royal visits, and Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa for foreign State Visits and the Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in 2010.
Belgian Scroll Tiara
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Given to Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium from the Société Générale bank as a wedding gift in 1953, when she married the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Belgian Scroll Tiara,made byHenry Coosemans, was her favourite tiara, worn at her Wedding, Accession, Banquets, and Galas. Almost sold in a sale following her death, it was pulled out (along with other jewels) after a public outcry, and has become a favourite of Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa, who has worn the Tiara multiple times just this year.
Emerald Art Deco Tiara
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Made by Chaumet, from a variety of old jewels, the Emerald Art Deco Tiara was probably a Christmas gift from Prince Felix of Luxembourg to his wife, Grand duch*ess Charlotte, in 1926. A favourite of the Grand duch*ess in the latter years of her reign, it was rarely worn byGrand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte, but was a favourite of Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa in the 2000s, worn notably at the 2011 Noble Prize Ceremony, and often paired with Queen Astrid’s Emerald Choker and Grand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte’s Emerald Earrings.
Grand duch*ess Adélaïde Tiara
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Created forGrand duch*ess Adelaide between1865 and 1870, this tiara is composed of leaves, berries, and alarge central sapphire. A favourite of her granddaughter,Grand duch*ess Marie-Adelaide, after her abdication in 1919, it was passed on to Grand duch*ess Charlotte, who frequently wore the tiara. However, it was rarely worn byGrand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte, and remained unworn until the wedding ofGrand duch*ess Maria Theresa, who woreGrand duch*ess Adélaïde Tiara frequently in her years as Hereditary Grand duch*ess. It has also been a frequent choice of Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stephanie, and has been worn by Princess Claire, Princess Tessy, and most recently Princess Marie Gabrielle of Nassau.
Vine Leaves Tiara
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A so-called ‘wedding tiara’ of the Grand Ducal family, theVine Leaves Tiara was worn by the four daughters ofGrand duch*ess Charlotte at their weddings, Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stephanie at her pre-wedding Ball, and Princess Claire at her wedding. Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa has worn the Tiara a few times, and it has also been worn by Princess Tessy.
Chaumet Pearl and Diamond Choker Tiara
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Made byChaumet, thisPearl and Diamond Choker Tiara, which can be worn in six settings, has been worn by Grand duch*essJosephine Charlotte, her two daughters, and Princess Alexandra. Another favourite of Grand duch*essMaria Theresa, she notably wore it at the pre-wedding ball of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.
Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara
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A wedding gift to Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium from the then Belgian Colony of Congo, she wore the piece as a Tiara at her religious wedding, and as a necklace many times afterwards. TheCongo Diamond Necklace Tiara was also worn by her daughters at their weddings, and by Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa at her wedding in 1981.
Small Floral Tiara
The smaller of the two floral Tiaras of the Grand Ducal collection, this piece was frequently from by the then Hereditary Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa, and is now mostly worn by Princess Alexandra. The Tiara was also loaned to Grand Duke Henri’s nieces Archduch*ess Marie-Christine and Archduch*ess Adélaïde of Austria for their weddings.
Aquamarine Bandeau Tiara
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One of the many ‘bandeau & parure’ sets made for Grand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte, theAquamarine Bandeau Tiara is primarily worn by Grandduch*ess Maria Theresa, but has been loaned to Princess Margretha, and pieces have been worn by Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stephanie and Princess Tessy.
Citrine or Topaz Tiara
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One ofGrand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte’s parures, this piece features citrines or topazes and has been also worn by Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa, Princess Margaretha, Princess Alexandra, andHereditary Grand duch*ess Stephanie.
Emerald Peaco*ck Tiara
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Made by Van Cleef & Arpels forGrand duch*ess Josephine Charlotte, using two pendants that had belonged to her mother, Queen Astrid, theEmerald Peaco*ck Tiara was more frequently worn by her as a necklace. The Tiara has been worn byGrand duch*ess Maria Theresa, Princess Tessy, and Archduch*ess Marie Astrid.
Amethyst Tiara
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Another one of the Grand Ducal semi-precious stone parues, thisAmethyst Tiara has been worn by Grandduch*ess Maria Theresa, but is rarely seen.
OvalAmethyst Tiara
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This tiara, composed of oval amethysts and seed pearls, has been worn byPrincess Marie-Astrid, Princess Margaretha, and then Hereditary Grand duch*ess Maria Teresa in the 1970s and 80s, and disappeared until being worn by Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stéphanie and Princess Tessy in recent years. It has become a favourite of the Hereditary Grand duch*ess in recent years.
Lannoy Tiara
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BelongingHereditary Grand duch*ess Stéphanie’s family, the Counts of Lannoy, the Tiara was made byAltenloh in Brussels in 1876. Worn by her sisters and sisters-in-law at their weddings,Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stéphanie wore her family Tiara at her wedding to Hereditary Grand DukeGuillaume in 2012.
Butterfly Tiara
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Featuring a diamond butterfly motif, this Tiara was first seen on Hereditary Grand duch*ess Stéphanie at the National Day Gala in 2014, and is thought to be a wedding gift. She has since worn the piece multiple times, including the recent Portuguese State banquet.
Princess Claire’s Tiara
Worn by Princess Claire at theNational Day Gala in 2015, this Diamond and Ruby Tiara, which comes with a substantial necklace and earrings, is thought to be a gift from her own family.
Princess Sibilla’s Tiara
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Worn by Grand Duke Henri’s sister-in-law, Princess Sibilla, this art deco tiara, which can be worn in two settings, is thought to be a gift from her own family. In recent years,Princess Sibilla has loaned the piece to Countess Diane de Nassau and to Princess Silviad’Arenberg.
Sapphire Bracelet Tiara
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A gift tothen Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium from the Belgian nobility association on the occasion of her engagement in 1953, the sapphire and diamond bracelet can be worn as a tiara and the central motif can be used as a brooch. It now belongs toPrincess Margaretha.
Turquoise Tiara
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Thought to be in the Grand Ducal Collection since the 1830’s, the Turquoise Tiara and a number of large and ornate pieces remained unworn for almost two centuries until being handed to Grand duch*ess Maria Theresa by thecurator of the Grand Ducal collections in 2006. It has also been worn by Princess Tessy.
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