THE MOST BEAUTIFUL Royal Jewels

The most beautiful royal jewels. Imperial Crown was created for King George VI as an exact replica of Queen Victoria's 1838 crown, which had worn out by that time. The crown is decorated with a huge number of precious stones, 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. There are many famous stones among these, the ruby of the Black Prince and the Cullinan II diamond. In 1906, King Alfonso XIII presented his bride, Princess Victoria Eugenie, with a magnificent tiara from the Chaumet Jewellery House in honour of their wedding. Initially, the decoration was made in a different style, but the masters of Chaumet significantly altered it. The new tiara has become a masterpiece of jewellery art. It was made of platinum and decorated with seven stylised heraldic lilies, intertwined ribbons and many diamonds. Victoria Eugenia adored her new tiara and often wore it at official events, posing for portraits. However, in 1930 to 1931, the decoration underwent another transformation. This time, the masters of Chaumet replaced the turquoise, which originally decorated the tiara with diamonds. Some of the remaining turquoise stones were used in other jewellery, including a Cartier bracelet. After the death of Queen Victoria Eugenie in 1969, the tiara passed to her daughter, Infanta Maria Cristina. In the 1960s, the jewellery underwent another modification. Turquoise, which had lost its luster, was replaced with diamonds. But in the 1980s, Maria Cristina decided to sell some of her jewellery. In 1984, the Chaumet tiara was sold at auction at Christie's for 85,000. The buyer remained anonymous. He was called an international collector of jewellery of royal origin. In 1937, fate brought Lady Edwina Mountbatten with a diamond tiara, which became an integral part of her life. This story about a beautiful woman and her magnificent jewel is a true romance. But to understand all her beauty and significance, you need to look into the past of both heroines. Edwina was born in 1901 into a wealthy and influential family. Her father, Baron Wilfred Ashley, was a member of the British Parliament, and her mother, Maud Cassell, was the only daughter of Sir Ernest Cassell, one of the richest men in Europe. However, the girl's happiness did not last long. When she was only 10 years old, her mother died, and her father soon remarried. Relations with her stepmother did not work out, and Edwina was sent to a boarding school for girls. But even there, difficulties awaited her. Her grandfather, Sir Ernest Cassell, was a Jew born in Prussia, which was hated at that time. The angry grandfather took his granddaughter to himself, and she instantly joined high society, becoming the mistress of his London residence. After Sir Ernest's death in 1921, Edwina received a huge inheritance of two million pounds and several luxurious estates. She became the brightest star of English high society, and her future husband, Louis Mountbatten, was less wealthy but came from a noble family. On June 18th, 1922, their grand wedding took place, which the newspapers called the wedding of the year. The couple lived together all their lives, despite Edwina's numerous affairs. Louis adored his wife and was friends with her lovers. Now let's move on to the tiara. It was created in 1928 by the jewelers of the Chaumet company for Baroness Marie Doux in the Art Deco style. However, six years later, Marie sold the Cartier tiara, which caused confusion about its origin. In 1937, Edwina acquired this jewel and wore it for the first time at the coronation of George VI. She became her favorite piece of jewelry and often appeared in it at official events, including the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. After World War II, Louis became Viceroy of India, and Edwina accompanied him, actively participating in the public life of the country. Her whirlwind romance with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has been confirmed by witnesses. On February 21st, 1960, Edwina died in her sleep at the age of 58. The tiara was given to her youngest daughter, Pamela. Interestingly, Pamela wore it to the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. In 2002, the heiress sold the tiara at Sotheby's, saying they needed the money. In 1914, when the world was gripped by the bloody First World War, Queen Maria of Romania received a unique steel tiara from the Cartier Jewelry House. This crown, made of blackened steel and decorated with white diamonds and purple wine rubies, has become a symbol of a new era full of trials and changes. Mary of Edinburgh, the wife of King Ferdinand I, was not only educated and well-read, but also possessed a special greatness that was combined with simplicity and lack of arrogance. Her nobility was genuine, without a trace of pride. The Queen had the blood of British Queen Victoria and Russian Tsar Alexander II in her veins, which gave her special importance and strength. The steel tiara created by Cartier has become not just an ornament for Maria, but a symbol of her determination and dedication to Romania. She understood that in difficult times, the country needs strong leaders capable of facing challenges. The tiara, with its shining stones and intricate design, was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, one can find light and hope. However, Queen Mary's life was full of trials. She lost her young son Mircea, who died of typhus. This tragedy left a deep mark on her soul and forced her to devote herself even more to serving her people. Maria actively participated in the political life of Romania, persuading her husband to join the alliance against Hitler. She studied diplomacy and appeared before heads of state and ambassadors in magnificent royal dresses and majestic tiaras. Her charm, intelligence and courage helped her gain respect and support. During the war, Queen Mary worked in military hospitals as an ordinary nurse, treating the wounded and comforting soldiers. She wrote the book My Country to help the Red Cross raise funds. In 1919, she personally went to the Paris Conference to defend the rights of Romania. Despite the fact that the male rulers did not take her seriously, her perseverance and talent convinced the allies to listen to her. After the war, Romania was reborn thanks to Maria's efforts. However, there was no place for it in a communist country. In exile, she spent her days in castles, praying and helping people. In 1938, she died of cancer at Peleșor Castle. Her heart was moved to this castle to become a symbol of the eternal memory and respect of the Romanian people. The steel tiara returned to the Cartier Museum became a reminder of a great woman who went through many trials, but always remained true to her principles and people. Queen Maria has left an indelible mark in the history of Romania, and her name will forever remain in people's memory as a symbol of strength, wisdom and devotion. At a recent banquet, Queen Maxima attracted attention with her elegant outfit and exquisite jewelry. A special place in her image was occupied by a sapphire bow, which became a symbol of the royal tradition and the skill of Dutch jewelers. This bow, created around 1900, originally belonged to Queen Wilhelmina. It was made in a classic style with perfect symmetry, which corresponded to the fashion of the time. In the center of the bow is a large rectangular Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds. These precious stones once belonged to Queen Anna Pavlovna, and then passed to Prince Hendrik, the brother of King Willem III. The bow design, inspired by Art Nouveau fashion, was cutting-edge for its time. The first images of this jewelry appeared in 1901, when Queen Wilhelmina was already wearing its full version. The last public appearance of this luxury accessory took place in 1981, during the reign of Queen Beatrix. Then a sapphire and diamond pendant was added to the bow, which made it even more exquisite. The Royal House of the Netherlands is famous for its huge collection of sapphire and diamond jewelry, many of which have unique historical value. In February 2014, Queen Maxima again showed off this magnificent bow at the thank-you party for Queen Beatrix, but without the pendant pendant. Her image attracted special attention during a state visit to Kenya in 2025. This time, Maxima chose the full version of the corsage jewelry with a sapphire bow, complementing it with a Queen Emma sapphire bracelet and a necklace transformer tiara. This ensemble became a vivid manifestation of her style and respect for the traditions of the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II was a mother-in-law known for her restraint and wisdom. She tried to accept her son's choices, even if it contradicted the opinions of others. So it was with Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's wife. Sarah, with her red hair, love of horses and lively personality, quickly won the Queen's favor. Elizabeth II loved it when Sarah participated in her events, despite the fact that she often appeared in bright pink trousers. However, Andrew and Sarah's marriage lasted only 10 years and ended in a divorce full of scandals and quarrels. But the former spouses managed to maintain a warm relationship for the sake of their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. One of the brightest pages in Sarah's life was her wedding. As she walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, her diamond tiara was hidden under a wreath of gardeners. The tiara was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh and was part of the demi-parure set from the Garrard Jewelry House. It included a necklace, a bracelet and earrings completely encrusted with diamonds in a platinum setting. On top of the tiara was a large diamond weighing about five carats. Sarah has used this tiara in various events. She wore it to a banquet at the Claridge's Hotel in 1987 and during the During her second visit to Canada in 1989, Sarah paired the tiara with other wedding decorations. After the divorce, tiara disappeared from view for more than two decades. There were rumours about its sale, but it turned out that this was not the case. In June 2023, the tiara shone again when Princess Beatrice wore it to the wedding banquet in honour of Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan in Amman. This moment became a symbol that Sarah's royal story continues, albeit in a new chapter. On January 7th, Queen Mary of Denmark wore a unique 175-year-old engagement bracelet, which has become a real family heirloom for the Danish royal family, to a New Year's reception at Christiansborg Palace. This jewellery, presented to her by Queen Louise of Sweden and Norway, attracted the attention of everyone present. The bracelet, made of gold with flat round links intertwined in the shape of waves, was presented in February 1850 by Charles XV to his bride, Princess Louise of the Netherlands. The bracelet was accompanied by an oval pendant with a large diamond and two smaller stones surrounded by three diamond rings. This pendant can also be worn as a brooch. After Queen Louise's death in 1872, the bracelet passed to her only daughter, Queen Lovisa of Denmark. In 1910, Lovisa donated the jewels to the Property Management Fund of the Danish royal family. Recently, the bracelet attracted attention again at the New Year's reception at Christiansborg Palace. Queen Mary chose it for her luxurious outfit, adding antique diamond earrings belonging to Crown Princess Caroline and one of Queen Josephine's diamond brooches. Anne of Orange's earrings also became the property of the Danish royal family through Louise and Lovisa. In addition, Queen Mary's outfit included a medallion with a portrait of King Frederick there and a star of the Order of the Elephant. The medallion, created for Empress Amelia of Leuchtenburg of Brazil, passed to her sister, Queen Josephine, and then to her granddaughter, Lovisa. Since then, portraits of reigning monarchs have been placed in the medallion. Queen Mary also wore the cross of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog, the highest award given exclusively to members of the royal family. This cross was previously worn by Prince Henrik. Louise's engagement bracelet is not only a masterpiece of jewellery, but also an important part of the history of the royal family. We hope that his radiance will delight us for many more years. In 1946, Prince Philip proposed to Queen Elizabeth II. King George VI, her father, gave his blessing. As a sign of love and devotion, the prince presented her with an engagement ring with a three-carat stone in the centre and ten diamonds in a platinum setting. The stones were taken from a tiara belonging to Philip's mother, which gave the ring a special value and significance. In 1947, the couple showed it to the public for the first time, and the ring became a symbol of their union. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, many began to wonder to whom she might have bequeathed this ring. It does not belong to the Crown Jewels, so its fate remains unclear. The Crown Jewels belong to the nation and passed to the new monarch, but Elizabeth's wedding ring could become part of her private collection. The Queen's private collection includes gifts she received during her reign. Its size and content remain a mystery to the public. Royal expert Kate Nicholl explained that the division of this collection could take place according to a certain hierarchy. Camilla, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle could be the first on the list of heirs. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, could also be included. However, the wedding ring, which the Queen wore all the time, has a special significance. She was buried with it on her arm. Most likely, it was left to someone close to her, perhaps her daughter Anna. Anna already has two engagement rings from her husbands, Mark Phillips and Timothy Lawrence. She may not want to give the ring to her children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, given their family circumstances. If the ring was not left to Anna, it was probably returned to a safe place under Buckingham Palace. According to E! News, this storage facility is located at a depth of 40 feet. The question of whether it will remain there forever or will be handed over to the future royal remains open. Princess Charlotte, Prince George or Prince Louis can become its new owners. The French jewellery house Malerio, founded back in 1613, had a long and eventful history. His clients included not only royalty such as Queen Marie Antoinette, but also writers, composers, bankers, industrialists, members of the aristocracy and even fashion icons. Malerio's exquisite jewellery became symbols of its time, embodying sophistication and elegance. Maharaja Jagatjit Singh from Kapurthala was one of the most important and generous clients of the jewellery house. On the eve of the royal wedding of King Alfonso XIII, he decided to update his wardrobe and turned to Malerio. On December 7th, 1905, the Maharaja chose an egret with enamel and diamonds, made in the form of a peacock. This choice was not accidental. The peacock, a symbol of luxury and elegance, was especially revered in India, and Malerio often referred to this image in his works. Maharaja's egret was a unique combination of Indian influence and western craftsmanship. It was decorated with 1,742 rose-cut diamonds, which were popular in India. This cut gave the stones a soft light, preserving their natural beauty. The egret could be worn as an ornament for a turban, hairstyle, brooch on the shoulder, or bodice. The removable peacock tail joint made it particularly exquisite and versatile. At the royal wedding in May 1906, Maharaja Jagatjit Singh accidentally met a young Spanish flamenco dancer, Anita Delgado. Less than two years later, she became his fifth wife, and the peacock egret became a symbol of their first meeting. After her marriage, Anita received the title of Maharani Premkal Sahib, and often wore this jewellery. However, the family life of Maharaja and Anita was not long. In the 60s, traces of the jewellery were lost, and it was only in early 1982 that it reappeared at auction in Europe. Hollywood was planning to make a film about the difficult relationship between Maharaja and Anita. The plot included Anita teaching the rules of behaviour at court, a shocking appearance in India, and of course, a break-up. Penelope Cruz was cast in the lead role. However, the Maharaja's family did not give permission for filming, and the project remained unfulfilled. In 1981, Prince Charles, preparing for his engagement to Diana Spencer, decided to give her an unusual gift. He invited the jewellers of the Garrard House to Windsor Castle to show her his best rings. Diana didn't know anything about it. After lunch with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Diana went into the living room, where magnificent jewellery lay on the table. Nineteen-year-old Diana faced a difficult choice. One of these rings was to become a symbol of their engagement. Diana chose a large sapphire ring without hesitation. She was enchanted by this gemstone, which perfectly matched her fair skin and blue eyes. Diana received the sapphire ring almost a year before the engagement and immediately fell in love with it. Charles, knowing that gift-giving was his strong suit, tried to show generosity and attention to the bride. However, Diana's choice was not liked by many members of the family. Sapphire, although it was a beautiful stone, was not considered traditional for crowned heads. In addition, the ring was relatively inexpensive by the standards of the royal court and was available to the general public. This was contrary to the traditions according to which engagement rings should be unique and expensive. Some even believed that Diana, not having good taste, chose the largest and most expensive ring on offer. However, the princess herself later claimed that it was not the most expensive and not the largest ring. Despite the criticism, Diana really loved this piece of jewellery. The ring went with her through all the difficulties and vicissitudes of her life. During an argument with Charles, she even threw this ring at him. In many photos of the princess, you can see this jewellery, and even after her divorce from her husband, Diana continued to wear it. For Diana, this ring has become a symbol of bright dreams and hopes for a happy future. But her marriage to Charles turned out to be unhappy, and in 1996 they officially divorced. The last time Diana appeared in public with this ring was in September of the same year. According to the terms of the agreement, the ring and other jewellery were returned to the royal family.