Greek Princess…with her Tiara

All hail the Classical Greeks whose glamorous brides began the forever-on-trend trend of wearing a tiara as part of their wedding attire. What with their flowing pleated gowns and gods of Olympus casting well-wishes on such mere mortals about to tie the proverbial knot, the tiara just topped it all for pomp…

Sydney Wedding: 2008

The history of the wedding tiara goes back millennia. In Greece, goldsmiths created tiaras to adorn the heads of statues of their gods and priests. The Greeks also awarded tiaras to contest champions. Highly ranked individuals wore them adorned with leaves and olives during social functions and special occasions.

Greek influence weaved its way into the modern crown jewels of Britain’s royal family, what with the Greek Key Tiara adorning the pretty heads of Princess Alice and Princess Anne…

Greek Key Tiara

This glorious tiara belonged to Princess Alice of Battenburg (mother of today’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh). Her Serene Highness Princess Victoria Alice of Battenberg was born in the Tapestry Room at Windsor Castle in Berkshire in the presence of her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. She was the eldest child of Prince Louis of Battenberg and his wife Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. Her mother was the eldest daughter of Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, the second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The then Princess Elizabeth (today’s Queen) was gifted this tiara by her mother-in-law Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (Princess Alice) just prior to her wedding.

Then Princess Elizabeth Greek Tiara gifted from Princess Alice of Denmark

As a design, the meander tiara is inspired in its symmetry: classical Greek ‘key pattern’ featuring a large brilliant cut diamond in the centre surrounded by a diamond wreath. The tiara also incorporates a central wreath of leaves and scrolls on either side; a nod to its heritage. Today’s British Queen has never worn it in public and it was given to Princess Anne around 1972, who has proudly held her head high with this magnificent jewel atop it, most notably during her engagement to Mark Phillips. What a Princess!