State Visit to Slovenia - Gala Banquet: HM The Queen of Norway
Sonja pulled out a show-stopper of a tiara for the Slovenian gala banquet -- but unfortunately for me, it's a show-stopper in the "wait, WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?!?" kind of way.
This is Queen Maud's Malteser Tiara -- you can read a little more about its history here, from its last appearance on the blog. We've only ever seen the bandeau base before, not the full version with the detachable/re-arrangable maltese crosses. (Well, we've got three of the four crosses on the tiara, here, anyway -- the fourth is on her sash.)
From me, this one gets a big fat eh. Thoughts?
Tags: state visit, tiara
It would look stunning if there were Maltese crosses all around, but with only 3 in the front, it just looks odd.
Oh dear. I don't know why Sonja felt the need to muck about with this tiara. I've always thought it was much more elegant with the four crosses around it. It's supposed to look more like a crown rather than a tiara, in my opinion. Sort it out, Sonja.
As an aside, many people forget that when Queen Alexandra had it, the tiara also had fleur-de-lys's dotted in between the crosses (she's wearing Queen Victoria's small diamond crown behind it - Queen Mary eat your heart out!). Queen Maud had them removed to differentiate it from the British crown jewels when she inherited the tiara.
I sure don't like the tiara, but I sure DO like her collet necklace! Nice sparklers!
I know it's all wrong aesthetically, but I kinda like it in its weirdness. Can't even explain why. I like how it nestles into Sonja's fabulous tiara hair!
I don't totally hate this - it's a bit odd looking, but there's something very majestic about it. But there's also something sticking out of her neck, which is a bit disturbing - like she's eaten a kebab sideways, which would account for the somewhat rictus smile.
No, no, no, no, no, no!!! Terrible! Crosses should be left for coronation CROWNS or necklaces or brooches!!