HRH The Crown Prince of Denmark and Miss Mary Donaldson
May 14, 2004

Our last major tiara wedding before Crown Princess Vic's big day was the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Tasmanian-born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson.  The two met during the Sydney Olympics in 2000, fell in love, and got hitched four years later.

Frederik and his Aussie bride have two children: Prince Christian (who will one day be king) and Princess Isabella, the first Danish princess born in a generation.  Mary has transformed from an everyday girl to a glamorous crown princess, and this wedding was definitely high on the glamour factor as well: we've got more than thirty tiaras on parade here, many of which are brand-new to the blog.  A good trial run for Victoria's wedding, no doubt!  Enjoy!

Wedding Hatters

Here are three more of Habsburg women attending the funeral of Archduchess Regina: Regina's daughter-in-law, Archduchess Francesca, and two of her granddaughters, Archduchess Gloria (left) and Archduchess Eleanore (right).  Also pictured is their brother, Archduke Ferdinand.

Francesca's husband and the children's father, Archduke Karl, is essentially the current head of the House of Habsburg -- his father, Otto, is still alive, but he basically abdicated the role to his son several years ago.  Had the Habsburgs' throne not been abolished almost a century ago, Francesca would be the current Austrian crown princess.  It is illegal for the family to use their royal titles in Austria, so they refrain from doing so.

Both Francesca and her elder daughter, Eleanore, have chosen the traditional lace headcovering for the funeral, but little Gloria is sporting instead a fascinator-style headband.  I think that's a nice choice for a younger hatter; still appropriate, but more fitting for a young girl.

Ms. von Habsburg dug into her jewelry box for another tiara at Fred and Mary's wedding; she chose this Emerald and Diamond Wreath Tiara, which can also be converted into a necklace.

I quite like the tiara, especially the contrast of the green stones against her hair.  But really -- I have to ask -- a fur stole in May?

Here's a royal we don't see very often, from the little-seen Habsburg family: Archduchess Francesca of Austria.  She attended the Danish royal wedding festivities alone (rumors are, I believe, that she and her husband, who will likely one day be head of the House of Habsburg, are separated), but she did so in style. 

Here, Fran's wearing the Habsburg Diamond and Pearl Bandeau, the tiara she wore on her wedding day.  It looks quite lovely in her red hair, doesn't it?  I know this is a Habsburg family tiara, but I don't know exactly how long it's been with the family.  Anyone have any extra info?