Today marks the 130th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Viggo of Denmark, who was born on this day in 1895! The wealthy American Heiress for whom a Danish Prince gave up his place in the line of succession, and who became a beloved philanthropist, Princess Viggo possessed some spectacular Jewels, including this striking Moonstone Tiara!
Long believed to have been sourced from the Opal Tiara of her mother-in-law, Princess Marie, Trond Norén Isaksen has revealed that that this Tiara is in fact composed of moonstones, zircons and synthetic sapphires and was personally acquired by Princess Viggo from her own fortune like almost all of her jewels.
Princess Viggo notably wore her Moonstone Tiara and Parure for King Christian X of Denmark’s Silver Jubilee Banquet in Copenhagen in 1937.
Later that year, Princess Viggo also wore the Moonstone Tiara and Parure for the Wedding of Princess Alexandrine Louise of Denmark to Count Luitpold of Castell-Castell in 1937.
Princess Viggo also notably wore the Moonstone Tiara for a series of Official Portraits taken in the 1940s, but it was not worn as often as her other Tiaras over the following decades.
After the childless Princess Viggo’s death in 1966, her Jewels were divided between family members. Her Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara and Moonstone Tiara went to her nephew, Count Flemming of Rosenborg to be worn by his wife Countess Ruth, while a Diamond Scroll Tiara was inherited by his brother, Prince George. A Diamond Spike Tiara was inherited by another nephew, Count Christian of Rosenborg, while a Sapphire Parure was left to another niece, Queen Anne of Romania.
Countess Ruth notably wore the Moonstone Tiara for the Wedding of the future Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in Copenhagen in 1967.
Prince and Princess Viggo had no children and she gave the tiara to her husband’s nephew’s wife, Countess Ruth of Rosenborg (fifth photo), saying that her niece in the USA probably had no use for it.
The following year, the Moonstone Tiara was worn by Countess Ruth for the Wedding of the future King Harald of Norway in Oslo in 1968.
Countess Ruth also wore the Moonstone Tiara for King Frederik IX’s 70th Birthday Banquet in Copenhagen in 1969.
The Moonstone Tiara made a last prominent appearance when it was worn by Countess Ruth for King Olav V of Norway’s 75th Birthday Gala in 1978.
Over the next few decades, Countess Ruth preferred to wear Princess Viggo’s Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara or Princess Ingeborg’s Turquoise Star Tiara. After her death in 2010, the Opal Tiara and Parure were inherited by one of her sons, who have sold the Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara, but the other jewels still remain with the family. Lets hope we get to see this Heirloom worn again sometime soon!
Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara
Diamond Scroll Tiara
Diamond Spike Tiara
Moonstone Tiara
Sapphire Parure
Ruby Necklace
Princess Viggo’s Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara
Princess Ingeborg’s Turquoise Star Tiara
Diamond Tiara
Moonstone Tiara
Lava Parure
Diamond Floral Brooch
Floral Tiara
Turquoise Star Tiara
Boucheron Pearl Circle Tiara
Khedive of Egypt Tiara
Pearl Poiré Tiara
Napoleonic Emerald Brooch
Diamond Floral Brooch
Emerald Parure
Boucheron Pearl Circle Tiara
Turquoise Star Tiara
Gold Bandeau Tiara
Diamond Tiara
Pearl Brooch
Emerald Brooches
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