Surprisingly, Sweden has few rubies in its very vast arsenal of royal jewels. However, the collection does include a beautiful ruby tiara that Queen Silvia has stunned in and which has a fascinating history that includes kings, romance and a rather dramatic family row over this precious heirloom.

The King Edward VII Ruby Tiara

This pretty tiara has belonged to famous princess and a popular queen but it takes its name from the man who commissioned it.

It arrived in Sweden in 1905 when Princess Margaret of Connaught married the future King Gustaf VI Adolf; she was given the tiara as a wedding gift by her aunt and uncle, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. It was a gift for a woman expected to become a queen herself. However, Margaret died in 1920, long before her husband became king. Her jewels went to her still young children and this particular gem passed down to her second son, Prince Sigvard.

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Prince Sigvard lost his titles when he married a commoner and eventually sold the tiara to his father. Drama ensued because Sigvard claimed he only loaned the tiara to his father while his father vowed he bought it. King Gustaf VI Adolf ended up leaving the tiara in his will to his grandson, Michael (Sigvard’s son). Michael later sold it to King Carl XVI Gustaf, and it is now worn exclusively by Queen Silvia.

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The tiara was made by E. Wolff & Co. and has a scrolling diamond design with rubies spread out on the tiara’s base and the three upright motifs. It can also be worn as necklace by removing it from its base. Queen Silvia has worn it as both a necklace and tiara.

So far, it’s not been seen on any other member of Silvia’s family. It remains one of the most romantic and intriguing pieces in the Swedish royal jewellery collection.