Happy Birthday to Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands, who turns 88 today! The popular former Dutch Queen once commanded the massive collection of the House of Orange, and wore over a dozen tiaras, but received this spectacular Diamond Laurel Wreath Tiara on her 18th Birthday exactly 60 years ago!
Composed of a Diamond Laurel Wreath, the Tiara dates from the early 19th century and could either originate from Princess Louise of Orange-Nassau, a sister of King Wilhelm I, or be an antique piece that was acquired by the Dutch Royal Family around Princess Beatrix’s 18th Birthday in 1956.
Princess Beatrix debuted the Laurel Wreath Tiara at her 18th Birthday Gala Performance of the London Festival Ballet at the Stadsschouwburg (Municipal Theatre) in Amsterdam in 1956.
Princess Beatrix also wore her Laurel Wreath Tiara for the British State Visit to the Netherlands in 1958, the Iranian State Visit to The Netherlands in 1959 and a Court Ball at the Royal Palace of Brussels in 1960 among several appearances.
When Princess Beatrix began to wear more pieces from the Dutch Royal Collection, the Laurel Wreath Tiara was often loaned to her sisters, particularly Princess Margriet, who wore it for Queen Juliana’s Silver Anniversary in 1962, and was the most frequent wearer of the Tiara through the 70s and 80s.
The Laurel Wreath Tiara was also frequently worn by the youngest sister, Princess Christina, on numerous occasions from the 1960s up until Queen Beatrix’s Abdication Dinner in 2013, and it was in fact one of the two heirloom Tiaras ever worn by Princess Christina.
Laurentien Brinkhorst notably wore the Laurel Wreath Tiara when she married Prince Constantijn of The Netherlands, Queen Beatrix’s youngest son, in 2001.
In 2012, the Laurel Wreath Tiara was worn by Queen Beatrix’s niece, Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Parma, for her Wedding to Albert Brenninkmeijer.
Princess Laurentien wore the Laurel Wreath Tiara for the Argentine State Banquet in 2017 as well as for the French State Visit to The Netherlands in 2023.
Princess Margriet has also worn the Laurel Wreath Tiara for the Italian State Banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam in November 2022, as well as for the Netherland-America Foundation Ball at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. There is no doubt The Tiara will continue to be worn for years to come!
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