Queen Sonja of Norway’s most glamorous tiaras, from the classical Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara to The Maltese Cross Tiara – but which stunning royal headpiece was stolen?
- The Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara, which Queen Sonja inherited, was stolen after it was sent to British crown jeweller Garrards for cleaning – and was never recovered
- The Emerald Parure Tiara – traced back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Empress Joséphine – drips with jewels, but the Modern Gold Parure Tiara is more contemporary
Although the House of Glücksburg, the current imperial family of Norway, has had a history of less than 200 years, its collection of tiaras is intricately linked to some of the most prominent royal families in Europe. As the most representative member among the Norwegian royals, Queen Sonja selects her tiaras for important occasions not only based on their appearances, but also by taking into account the jewels’ symbolic significance.
So what are some of the most stunning pieces in her collection?
Norwegian Emerald Parure Tiara
The storied Norwegian Emerald Parure Tiara can be traced back to Empress Joséphine, first wife of Napoleon, according to travel agency Daily Scandinavian. It’s said to have been crafted in the early 1800s by the fabled French house Bapst, the jeweller to Napoleon. It came to Norway by way of Sweden, through Empress Joséphine’s granddaughter, Queen Josephine (Josefina) of Sweden and Norway.
The tiara, among the most magnificent ones for Queen Sonja’s exclusive use on the most important occasions, is encrusted with diamonds and large emeralds reportedly of Russian origin, featuring intricate details of cluster, festoon, anthemion, floral and scroll, according to The Court Jeweller.
Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara
