Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg has released several new portraits taken for an interview with ELLE Luxembourg. Instead of wearing one of her trusted tiaras, she chose the tiara that royal brides in Luxembourg wear: the Luxembourg Vine Leaves Tiara!
This floral tiara is largely shrouded in mystery. The Grand Ducal court has not confirmed when the tiara was made, when it was acquired by the family, or even who made it.
Most likely created sometime in the nineteenth century, this diamond tiara features vine leaves and berries set in platinum.
In 1950, the tiara made its first known public appearance when Princess Alix, the daughter of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix, married the 13th Prince of Ligne. This began a tradition of royal brides reaching for the diadem.
Alix’s sister, Princess Marie-Gabrielle wore the tiara a year later for her own wedding, and their elder sister, Elisabeth, also chose the jewel for her bridal look in 1956.
While Grand Duchess Josephine only wore the Vine Leaves Tiara once, the then-Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa has worn the tiara many times, including for celebrations for both Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Harald of Norway’s birthdays.
The next generation of Luxembourgish royal brides have also worn the sparkler. Countess Stephanie de Lannoy wore the tiara for the gala dinner that took place after her civil marriage to Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume in 2012.
The following year, Clair Lademacher wore the Vine Leaves Tiara at her wedding to Prince Felix.
The new portraits of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were released ahead of Grand Duke Henri’s abdication in October, but feature a playful note: her Yorkie is featured in several of the photos.
