beatrix of the netherlands Archives - History of Royal Women

The Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara

Friday, 24 July 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara began its life as a different jewel. King William III of the Netherlands purchased the choker with diamonds and sapphires for his second wife, Queen Emma. After several additions and adjustments, the necklace was mounted as a tiara in the 21st century. The new tiara was topped by five lozenge-shaped [read more]

The Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara

Friday, 25 October 2024, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara was made by Mellerio dits Meller, a French jewellery firm, for Queen Emma, the second wife of King William III of the Netherlands, in 1888 as part of a large ruby parure. The pieces were a gift from her husband for Christmas. Embed from Getty Images The complete parure includes [read more]

The Dutch Diamond Bandeau

Friday, 20 September 2024, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Dutch Diamond Bandeau consists of diamonds that were originally part of a necklace. This necklace was given to Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont in 1879 for her wedding to King William III of the Netherlands. It was her daughter Wilhelmina who had the necklace turned into a bandeau tiara in 1937. After her death, [read more]

The Wurttemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara

Friday, 13 September 2024, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Wurttemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara is thought to be a remodelled tiara from the collection of Sophie of Wurttemberg but this has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, this is where the name originates from. Embed from Getty Images It was created for Queen Wilhelmina in 1897 and is set with diamonds, round and pear-shaped pearls. She [read more]

Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara

Friday, 30 August 2024, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara was made for Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont and gifted by her husband, King William III of the Netherlands to her in 1890. However, it arrived shortly after his death. It was made by Royal Begeer and features a trio of harp designs with diamond rosette-style clusters made from silver and [read more]

Looking back at the Queen’s Day 2009 attack

Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

What was meant to be a lovely day turned into a nightmare. On Queen’s Day 2009, a man drove his car through the celebrating crowds towards the bus carrying the Dutch Royal Family – killing seven people and eventually himself. The royal family celebrated the day in Apeldoorn. As the open-top bus made its last [read more]