The Belgian Sapphire Tiara has been owned by the British Royal Family for over 60 years, and has graced the heads of two Queens.
So how did the Tiara end up in Britain and what is the design of the dazzling piece?
Camilla wearing the Belgian Sapphire Tiara at 2022 Diplomatic Reception. (Royal Family)
The tiara began life as a necklace, owned by Princess Louise of Belgium, who was the daughter of King Leopold II and the wife of Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The Princess lived a very scandalous life. Her marriage was not one of love, but rather that of convenience, and she lead a lavish life with numerous. She eventually found love with a member of the Croatian nobility, Geza Mattachich. Upon finding out, her husband had her declared insane and convinced Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria to have her committed to a psychiatric hospital. Her lover was imprison for forgery. Mattachich was released after four years, and he got his Princess free. Louise divorced Philipp in 1906, and lived the life of a stateless person with her lover until she died in 1924.
The necklace went on sale in 1963, and was purchased by Elizabeth II. The late Queen was looking for a tiara to pair with the George VI Suite, which consisted of a necklace and earrings. The Suite hade been gifted to her by her father and was reportedly created in 1850. After purchasing it, the Queen had it set on a tiara frame and wore it frequently throughout the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90s since first debuting it during her first State Visit to Germany in 1965.
The tiara features a prominent sapphire set at an angle to mimic the shape of a diamond. Above this central sapphire is another sapphire encircled by 10 diamonds, while on either side are two pear-shaped sapphires, each framed by an additional 10 diamonds.
On the sides of the tiara, there are two more pear-shaped sapphires and six cushion-shaped sapphires, each bordered by diamonds. Connecting these elements are additional diamonds interspersed with smaller sapphires.
It was an incredible honour to have the opportunity to photograph HM Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the Canadian Government for her official Canadian Portrait that has been released today 📸 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/gE46LZW3gu
— Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) October 16, 2020
The tiara was seen as a lighter option for The Queen during the 2000’s and 2010’s. She last wore it in 2019, for an official portrait that was released by the Canadian Government in 2020.
In November 2022, Queen, Camilla, opted for the Belgian Sapphire Tiara for the State Banquet for the President of South Africa. She wore it again the following month for the Diplomatic reception, the State Banquet was her first tiara appearance since becoming Queen Consort, and a fitting tribute to her much loved and missed mother-in-law.
