Prince Henrik of Denmark, Queen Margrethe’s consort for 46 years, passed away this week, and to honour his memory, we are taking a look at some of his glittering gifts to his family over the years. Today’s feature is Crown Princess Mary’s Diamond Flower Brooch.
This diamond brooch, featuring six petals and interjacent diamonds surrounding a large central diamond. It belonged to Prince Henrik’s mother, Countess Renée-Yvonne de Laborde de Monpezat, who wore the brooch as a clasp of her pearl necklace at Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary Banquet in 1992. The brooch was inherited by Prince Henrik in 2001.
In 2004, Prince Henrik gave the brooch to his new daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary, as a wedding present. Early appearances included the 2004 Olympics, and a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. It was also worn to welcome the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Denmark in 2012.
The Diamond Floral Brooch has been worn at a couple of Gala events, including a Brazilian State Visit and King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 80th Birthday Banquet last year. It can also be worn as a hair ornament.
Crown Princess Mary mainly prefers to use the brooch at funerals and memorial services, including the reburial of Empress Maria Feodorovna in St. Petersburg and the Funeral of Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. The brooch was last worn yesterday, when the Danish Royal Family followed Prince Henrik’s coffin from Fredensborg Palace to Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. They also saw some of the tributes outside the Palace. I’m sure we will see it at events related to Prince Henrik for years to come.
It’s a small but lovely brooch, full of significance as it belonged to the late Prince’s mother. I think it looks perfect as anchor for Princess Mary’s sashes, and I was surprised to see that it can also be used as a hair ornament! Wonderful!