The dazzling tiara collection of the Gloucester royals – including Queen Mary’s heirloom

The late Queen’s cousin Prince Richard is head of the Gloucester branch of the Royal Family, and he and his wife Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester are working royals. As such, Birgitte is often required to wear a tiara for formal state events, and she has plenty to choose from that have been passed down royal generations. Here are three of the most striking.

Queen Mary’s Honeysuckle Tiara

Queen Mary’s Honeysuckle Tiara can be worn three different ways, either with a diamond honeysuckle piece, a kunzite piece or a cabochon emerald piece.

The Honeysuckle Tiara was created for Queen Mary shortly after her husband ascended the throne as King George V in the early 20th Century.

The classic jewel was crafted by E. Wolff and Co. on commission from Garrard, the then-royal jeweller.

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Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester often wore the Iveagh Tiara for royal events.

She later passed the diadem to her daughter-in-law Birgitte, who has worn the piece for banquets and official photographs.

The Duchess of Gloucester wore the tiara notably for a picture marking her and Prince Richard’s 17th wedding anniversary in 1989.

The Iveagh Tiara was worn by Lady Rose Windsor as a royal wedding tiara in 2008.