Our Tale of the Pearl Poiré Tiara will remind you of the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure, Joséphine’s Emerald Parure and the Emerald Laurel Wreath Tiara as it’s travels across Europe from royal family to royal family span a century or two. Just a look at it will recall the other Gothic Revival tiaras of the 19th Century like the Grand Duchess Vladimir, the Lovers’ Knot, the Cambridge Lovers’ Knot and even the Cartier Pearl Drop Tiara, just to name a few.
In 1825, King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia commissioned the Pearl Poiré from a Berlin jeweller as a wedding gift for his daughter Louise who was betrothed to Prince Frederik [note the difference in spelling!] of the Netherlands.The 18 poiré [teardrop] pearls dangling from a diamond archway frame certainly recalls the aforementioned tiaras but we’re guessing that was the jeweller’s choice as it was trendy, not the king’s. Friedrich was quite pleased with the final product because he commissioned a second for his son’s betrothed, Princess Marianne of the Netherlands. The Dutch Princess and Prince Albrecht of Prussia tied the knot in 1830 but the existence of the Albrecht Wedding Tiara [yeah, let’s call it that] is AWOL. The first clue being that Prince Albrecht and Princess Marianne divorced in 1849. Smells like it’s time for a “Tiaras and Trianon Investigates!” Wouldn’t it be fun if we tracked it down?!
Back to the Pearl Poiré
Princess Louise (below, far left) bequeathed the tiara to her eldest daughter, also Louise , who became Queen of Sweden and Norway by marriage to Charles XV of Sweden & IV of Norway. [Alas, the burden of being a ruling two countries, you get two numeral epithets.]

(L to R) Louise of Prussia, her daughter Louise Queen Consort of Sweden and Norway and her daughter Louise eventual Queen of Denmark: the original 3 owners of the Pearl Poiré tiara. Though the tiara is not featured in all the 3 images, the family affinity for pearls must be hereditary.
When Queen Louise passed on in 1926, she left her potluck pearl parure to the Danish Royal Property Trust, ensuring the travel-weary tiara will never leave Denmark again. Like the Emerald Parure, it will be passed from monarch to monarch and cannot be sold or auctioned.
Since then it has been worn by Louise’s daughter-in-law Queen Alexandrine [anyone else enjoying the rhyme?] then Alexandrine’s daughter-in-law Queen Ingrid and finally Ingrid’s daughter Queen Margrethe II.
The Pearl Poiré Tiara has more in common with the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure, the and the Emerald Parure of Norway besides a grand European voyage. It is typically reserved for the Queen of Denmark and only worn for the most important events. The New Years Court Gala and her husband’s birthday come to mind.My personal favorite event being Queen Margrethe’s Ruby Jubilee, [above] one of the first Tiara Time posts we ever did here! Naturally, the queen has worn it for other events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 and Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding in 2010. The first was an interesting break in tradition for two reasons. Margrethe was still crown princess at the time and according to the official Danish Crown Jewel website “by custom, the crown jewels remain in Denmark, which means that the Queen cannot use them during visits to other countries.” MALARKEY! We have at least three examples of this particular tiara leaving Denmark and it’s one of the most historically significant. This now leads us to believe that this is not the official website, maybe just official-looking. Or maybe their English ain’t so hot.
Similarly, rumor has it, but no photo has confirmed that still-Crown Princess Ingrid wore the Pearl Poiré Tiara to George VI’s coronation in England in 1937.
…I want to love this tiara as I love (pearl and other stone) drop tiaras. But I just can’t. It doesn’t seem.. very pretty. Sure it’s made of DIAMONDS and pearls.. but it feels so incredibly bleh. Made it needs a fancier base? I would like the arches to be a tad wider..
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I agree that it’s a smaller, lower-key pearl-drop tiara, especially when you look at the Cambridge Lovers’ Knot or the Grand Duchess Vladimir. I think you’re right about the arches, they’re too narrow & too low. It’s Queen Margrethe’s favorite though.
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Interesting post! You are the Nancy Drew of the Bling world! I especially love the photographs of Queen Ingrid. Now, I think this tiara looks best in black and white shots. And perhaps a lower neck line? Enjoy the week! Theadora
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Thank you T! My morning coffee [7:15 here!] and a comment from the lady who started it all! [Sorry we’re nostalgic, you know…holidays coming up. Or whatever pertinent excuse!] I have to agree, Ingrid’s photos bring the tiara the dignity it deserves and I’ve always been a fan of a lower-neckline myself too. The elegance of that curve where a woman’s neck meets the shoulder cannot be underrated. Vis-a-vis black & white, having seen your photo archives, my dear, I’m hardly surprised! [Hee hee!] I’m a fan too though. My complexion always looks better in black and white…ok, I’ll stop before I start typing Paul Simon lyrics. Have a lovely week. So happy to have you back!
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