Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Prince Henrik of Denmark, who passed away on this day in 2018! The French Count who married the artistic Danish Queen and became the beloved Prince Consort, Prince Henrik designed several striking jewels, the most iconic of which was Queen Margrethe’s Silver Anniversary Suite!

Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring | Wedding Earrings | Silver Anniversary Suite | Modern Turquoises | Diamond Flower Brooch | Tahitian Pearl Necklace | Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara | Danish Emerald Parure | Danish Crown Diamond Parure | Antique Diamond Parure | Antique Turquoise Parure | Baden Palmette Tiara | Daisy Brooch | Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure | Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure 

When Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik were celebrating their Silver Anniversary in 1992, Prince Henrik designed this striking necklace and pair of earrings of gold with pearls and rubies, which which the central clasp can be detached to be worn as a brooch.

In the necklace, you see a man and a woman looking out at the world, while lifting a precious stone in one hand. Other parts carry the theatre’s symbols, comedy and tragedy. The lock is a heart of solid gold, decorated with axis of grain and vines, symbolising Denmark and France.

Prince Henrik had this Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite created by goldsmith Torben Hardenberg, where Queen Margrethe also commissioned her Anniversary Gift, as she related:

My husband wanted to do something for me, and he went to Hardenberg. At the same time, I had found out that I had to get a present for my husband. I also went to Hardenberg with that and asked him to make it.

I had no idea that my husband had been to Hardenberg, and my husband had no idea that I was to Hardenberg,

Hardenberg claimed that he had to do old-fashioned comedy, in and out the door, so that we wouldn’t meet. How he managed? It was really funny.

Queen Margrethe debuted the Brooch of the Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite for the Service of Thanksgiving, a Carriage Ride through Copenhagen, and an Appearance at the Balcony of Amalienborg Palace to mark their Silver Anniversary.

That evening, Queen Margrethe wore the Necklace of her Silver Anniversary Suite with the Floral Aigrette Tiara and Antique Diamond Earrings for the Silver Anniversary Gala at Fredensborg Palace.

The following year, Queen Margrethe wore the Silver Anniversary Suite with Princess Dagmar’s Diamond Floral Tiara for a State Banquet in Warsaw during a State Visit to Poland.

Queen Margrethe has worn her Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite on numerous occasions over the past three decades, including for Queen Beatrix’s 60th Birthday Gala at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in 1998.

Queen Margrethe has mainly worn the Silver Anniversary Suite for Return Dinners during State Visits and Concerts, like the Return Dinner hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul during their State Visit in 2014.

Also in 2014, Queen Margarethe choose her Silver Anniversary Suite for Prince Henrik’s 80th Birthday Gala in Copenhagen, a symbolic choice.

In 2017, Queen Margrethe wore the Silver Anniversary Suite, with the Brooch rather than the necklace, at a Return Reception held by the Icelandic President and First Lady at the waterfront cultural centre Nordatlantens Brygge in Copenhagen.

Later that year, Queen Margrethe wore the necklace of the Silver Anniversary Suite for a Concert at Fredensborg Palace, which was its final appearance just a few months before Prince Henrik’s passing.

To mark Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee in 2022, the Silver Anniversary Suite was among the jewels on display in the legendary ‘A Queen’s Jewellery Box’ Exhibition at the Amalienborg Palace Museum, where we saw it during the Jubilee Celebrations.

Following her Abdication last month, Queen Margrethe has passed all the heirlooms of the Danish Crown to the new Queen Mary, but the Silver Anniversary Suite is among her remaining personal jewels, which we can hope to see, possibly with the Nassut Tiara or the Golden Poppies Tiara, for years to come!

Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring | Wedding Earrings | Silver Anniversary Suite | Modern Turquoises | Diamond Flower Brooch | Tahitian Pearl Necklace | Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara | Danish Emerald Parure | Danish Crown Diamond Parure | Antique Diamond Parure | Antique Turquoise Parure | Baden Palmette Tiara | Daisy Brooch | Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure | Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure 

Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara