The Royal Watcher - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Happy Birthday to Countess Sussie of Rosenborg, who turns 75 today! The accomplished lawyer who is married to Queen Margrethe’s first cousin and could have been the current Queen of Denmark, Countess Sussie possesses some historic jewels, which includes Princess Helena’s Diamond Bandeau!
Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara | Princess Helena’s Diamond Bandeau | Diamond Meander | Sapphire Clasp
A delicate Diamond Bandeau composed of diamonds set in a knife-edge trellis frame, ringed by delicate diamond leaves, the exact origin of this jewel is unknown but it is likely not an old Royal Heirloom, like Queen Desiree’s Ears of Wheat Tiara, but instead likely originates from around the time of the Wedding of Princess Helena Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg to Prince Harald of Denmark in 1909.
Princess Helena most notably wore the Diamond Bandeau for the Wedding of Prince Knud of Denmark and her daughter, Princess Caroline-Mathilde of Denmark in 1933.
Two years later, the Diamond Bandeau was worn by Princess Helena’s daughter, Princess Alexandrine Louise of Denmark, for the Wedding Ball of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Princess Ingrid of Sweden in Stockholm in 1935, as well as a Gala held the following evening.
Princess Helena also loaned the Diamond Bandeau to her sister, Princess Alexandra Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Princess August Wilhelm of Prussia for the Wedding of Princess Alexandrine Louise of Denmark to Count Luitpold of Castell-Castell in 1937.
Princess Helena was exiled for her conduct during the German Occupation during the Second World War, and the Diamond Bandeau was among the Jewels that she passed on to her daughter, Hereditary Princess Caroline-Mathilde, who wore it on a handful of occasions during the 1950s.
The Diamond Bandeau was worn by Princess Elisabeth of Denmark on a handful of occasions during the 1950s and 1960s, alternating with Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau and Princess Thyra’s Sapphire Tiara.
When Hereditary Princess Caroline-Mathilde’s elder son, Prince Ingolf married Inge Terney in 1968, losing his place in the line of succession and his royal title, the new Countess Inge received the Diamond Bandeau, which was her primary jewel, being worn for Princess Benedikte’s Wedding Gala in 1968 and Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1992 among countless other galas, only inheriting Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara shortly before her death.
After being widowed in 1996, Count Ingolf of Rosenborg married Sussie Hjorhøy-Pedersen in 1998, who has primarily worn Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara but has chosen for Princess Helena’s Diamond Bandeau for a few less formal Galas, like Prince Henrik’s Birthday Gala in 2009,
Most recently, Countess Sussie wore the Diamond Bandeau Tiara for Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee Gala at the Danish Royal Theatre in 2022, where we were among the press corps. There is no doubt Countess Sussie will continue to wear this delicate heirloom for years to come!
Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara | Princess Helena’s Diamond Bandeau | Diamond Meander | Sapphire Clasp