The Bling's The Thing
One of the best parts of being royalty has to be the jewelry, right? Even if you're not one for jewelry, it's hard to resist at least looking at all those gorgeous crowns. While royals and monarchies come and go, style is for forever.
1. Angoulême Emerald Tiara
Crafted for the eldest daughter of Marie Anoinette, this stunning emerald tiara was crafted using 14 emeralds and over 1000 diamonds. Marie-Thérèse, who wore this tiara, left it behind in the family vault after she went into exile. If you want to see this tiara in person, it's on display in the Louvre.
2. Modern Fringe Tiara
This tiara is a favorite of Princess Madeleine of Sweden, who wore it to her wedding. While historians can't agree on a construction date for this tiara, they definitely agree that it's gorgeous. The Modern Fringe Tiara blends fringe with florals, and can be converted into a necklace.
3. Lotus Flower Tiara
Created as a gift for the Queen Mother in 1923, the Lotus Flower Tiara is Roaring Twenties cool through and through. Like other headdresses of the area, this tiara is typically worn low on the head, and takes inspiration from Ancient Egypt, something that was on many people's minds after the discovery of King Tut's tomb. Most recently, it's been sported by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Archives New Zealand from New Zealand on Wikimedia
4. Marie Louise Diadem
Royal tradition dictated that foreign brides coming to France must give up their homeland entirely, but this crown that Napoleon made for his bride is a pretty consolation prize. This diadem is made of Persian turquoise and over 700 carats worth of diamonds. You don't have to go far to see this stunning crown, it's on permanent display at the Natural History Museum in D.C.
5. Spencer Tiara
When Diana became Princess of Wales, she chose not to borrow a tiara from her mother-in-law's extensive collection, but rather wore a family heirloom. The Spencer Tiara dates all the way back to 1767! With its intricate style and heart-shaped motif, it's no wonder that Diana chose this for her big day.
Queensland State Archives on Wikimedia
6. Cartier Halo Tiara
If you don't know this tiara by name, you'll definitely recognize it when you see it. Kate Middleton picked this gorgeous crown to complement her Alexander McQueen wedding gown. Like other tiaras of the era, this one was meant to be worn at a dramatic angle over soft hairstyles.
Magnus D from London, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
7. Palatine Crown
Also called the Crown of Princess Blanche, this is the oldest surviving English royal crown, and what a stunner it is! Constructed all the way back in 1370, there's something timeless about this blinged-out headpiece. The rich colors of the stones combined with the delicate fleur-de-lis are the epitome of Medieval grandeur.
8. Diadem Of The Stars
Few names are as apt as this one. The Diadem of the Stars was made in 1866 for the Queen Consort of Portugal, Maria Pia, who was known for her love of jewels. The funky, almost minimalist (well, as minimalist as a royal tiara can be) style is unlike anything else we've seen, and the colorless diamonds really make it pop.
9. Pearl Button Tiara
This Dutch tiara is pretty cute, if you'll forgive us for saying so. Commissioned in the early 1900s, this tiara features large, pear-shaped pearls and strawberry leaves. Princess (formerly Queen) Beatrix wore this tiara to her coronation in 1980, pairing it with icy blue eyeshadow, big hair, and plenty of other pearls.
Rob Croes for Anefo on Wikimedia
10. Queen Sophia's Star & Pearl Tiara
Queen Sophia of Sweden received this tiara as a wedding gift in 1857. We loved how balanced the Star & Peal Tiara, celestial and regal without being overpowering. This tiara is one of Princess Benedikte's faves, and, honestly, one of ours too.
Frankie Fouganthin on Wikimedia
11. Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara
While Princess Diana wore another tiara when she tied the knot, we'll always associate her with this one. Not to be confused with the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, upon which it was based, this stunning sparkler is packed sky-high with teardrop pearls and glittering diamonds.
Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio on Wikimedia
12. Beauharnais Pearl Tiara
The second tiara on this list commissioned by Napoleon, the Beauharnais Pearl Tiara was created in 1829. The rows of seed pearls and engraved gold band make this tiara quietly classy. It isn't as loud or as tall as some of the others on this list, but its delicacy make it timeless.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
13. Bavarian Lover's Knot Tiara
This Bavarian tiara inspired both the Queen Mary and Cambridge Lover's Knot tiaras beloved by the British royal family. Commissioned in 1825 for Therese of Bavaria, this tiara is satisfyingly symmetrical with sixteen pearls and diamond arches. It was accompanied by pearl chandelier earrings and a matching necklace.
14. Diamond Diadem
In a turn of events, this list was actually made for King George IV, though it's more commonly associated with royal women. While British crowns usually feature fleur-de-lis, this diadem represents unity, featuring symbols of England, Scotland, and Ireland in the forms of roses, thistles, and shamrocks. If you see a depiction of Elizabeth II, she's probably wearing this.
UKinUSA from Washington, D.C., USA on Wikimedia
15. Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara
Meghan Markle wore this stunning (and shockingly modern) tiara at her wedding in 2018. At first glance, this tiara is so chic it's difficult to believe that it was crafted in 1932! However, the simple, rounded shape and Art Deco accents are dead giveaways that this tiara was made to be worn with poofy 1930s hair.
Londisland - YouTube on Wikimedia
16. Prussian Tiara
This Neoclassical tiara is an architectural masterpiece...and perhaps a prophecy. Victoria Louise of Prussia first wore this Grecian-inspired tiara in 1911, passing it onto her daughter who went on to become Queen of Greece! This diamond and platinum kokoshnik is adorned with columns, laurels, and Meanders, fitting symbols for the last Queen of Greece.
File:Frederica of Greece.jpg: Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
17. Fleur-De-Lis Tiara
While the marriage between Princess Victoria of Battenberg and Alfonso XIII of Spain may have been marred by political instability, the fashion was on point. Crafted in 1906, this platinum tiara features swirls, scrolls, and the fleurs-de-lis symbolic of the Spanish reigning dynasty. Over 100 years later, this tiara is still a family favorite.
18. Khedive Of Egypt Tiara
How did an Egyptian tiara end up in the Danish royal family? Well, Princess Margaret of Connaught fell in love with Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden while on a trip to Cairo, so the King of Egypt had this glittering tiara made as a memento of the couple's first meeting. This tiara features diamonds and spirals set in delicate laurels—the King of Egypt had great taste!
Photo: Johannes Jaeger, photographer to the Royal Court of Sweden. on Wikimedia
19. Girls Of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara
First worn by Mary of Teck, this tiara is so named because the money for it was raised by subscription. Whether or not this was the first crowd-funded royal tiara is beside the point, the fleur-de-lis tiara is light and youthful. Elizabeth II loved this tiara for its versaility—it could be detached and worn as a coronet or taken off the frame and worn as a necklace!
20. Cameo Tiara
Probably the funkiest tiara on this list, the Swedish Cameo Tiara proves that royalty isn't always stodgy. Yet another tiara commissioned by Napoleon, this tiara features seven cameos with scenes from Greco-Roman mythology surrounded by seed pearls. Princess Victoria of Sweden wore this unique tiara for her wedding in 2010.
