Today marks the 145th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, who was born on this day in 1880! The young girl who became the first Dutch Regnant Queen and reigned for almost 60 years, becoming a symbol of the resistance during the Second World War, Queen Wilhelmina possessed the entirety of the spectacular collection of the Dutch Royal Family, and today we are featuring her massive Sapphire Tiara and Parure!
Stuart Diamond Tiara | Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara | Sapphire Tiara | Dutch Diamond Bandeau | Dutch Emerald Parure | Dutch Pearl and Diamond Stomacher | Mellerio Ruby Tiara | Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara | Antique Pearl Tiara | Ruby Peacock Tiara | Diamond Trellis Necklace | Dutch Diamond Stars | Dutch Royal Tiaras
When Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands married Duke Heinrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1901, she received this magnificent Sapphire and Diamond Parure as a wedding gift from the Dutch People, containing more than 800 diamonds and sapphires. Created by by J.A. Hoeting with Diamonds and Sapphires supplied by Vita Israël, the Parure was composed of a Tiara, a mirrored Necklace and and a pair of Bracelets.
Queen Wilhelmina wore the full Sapphire and Diamond Tiara and Parure for a series of portraits taken by Wegner & Mottu in 1903, on the fifth Anniversary of her taking full powers upon the end of her Regency.
Two decades later, Queen Wilhelmina wore Sapphire Tiara and Parure for a series of portraits to mark the 25th Anniversary of her Enthronement in 1923, one of many such appearances in the Parure, despite being described as ‘too cumbersome to wear in public’.
Queen Wilhelmina also wore Sapphire Tiara and Parure for a series of portraits in 1936, ahead of an event offered by the ‘Hou en Trouw’ association on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce of Factories for Amsterdam.
The Sapphire Tiara and Parure remained unworn for the next few decades, until it was inherited by Queen Juliana in 1962, who had the Tiara dismantled to create several sets of diamond and sapphire earrings, brooches and bracelets for her four daughters.
Princess Beatrix received a pair of large ‘figure 8’ Diamond Earrings and a pair of quite massive Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, which are now frequently worn by Queen Máxima.
Princess Margriet received a pair of Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, a pair of Diamond Earrings, and a Sapphire and Diamond Brooch of the jewels created from Queen Wilhelmina’s Sapphire Tiara.
The Necklace remained unworn in the vaults until 2009, when Steltmann used Queen Emma’s Sapphire Necklace topped with six elements taken from Queen Wilhelmina’s Sapphire Necklace to create the new Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara.
The Bracelets from Queen Wilhelmina’s Sapphire Parure underwent some minor alterations but are still worn by Princess Beatrix.
Stuart Diamond Tiara | Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara | Sapphire Tiara | Dutch Diamond Bandeau | Dutch Emerald Parure | Dutch Pearl and Diamond Stomacher | Mellerio Ruby Tiara | Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara | Antique Pearl Tiara | Ruby Peacock Tiara | Diamond Trellis Necklace | Dutch Diamond Stars | Dutch Royal Tiaras
