What is the Order of the Elephant?

The Order of the Elephant is a Danish order of chivalry and Denmark's highest-ranked honor, worn by royals on special occasions.

Where did Queen Mary's tiara diamonds come from?

The diamonds for Queen Mary's new tiara were repurposed from a historic 1840 royal belt.

Did Queen Mary wear an old gown to the New Year's reception?

Queen Mary wore a Jesper Hovring gown that was updated with new lace bodice and sleeves, showcasing sustainable royal fashion.

Home / Lifestyle / Queen Mary's Tiara: Diamonds Repurposed from Royal Belt

Queen Mary's Tiara: Diamonds Repurposed from Royal Belt

2 Jan

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Summary

Queen Mary debuted a new tiara crafted from diamonds of an antique royal belt.
The Danish royals attended a New Year's Reception wearing prestigious Order of the Elephant collars.
Queen Mary's New Year's gown featured updated lace bodice and sleeves for a fresh appearance.

Queen Mary's Tiara: Diamonds Repurposed from Royal Belt

Queen Mary of Denmark presented a striking image at the New Year's Reception held at Amalienborg Palace on January 1st, 2026. She wore a champagne-colored gown by Jesper Hovring, updated with new lace elements on the bodice and sleeves. Both the Queen and King Frederik donned distinctive collars signifying their membership in the prestigious Order of the Elephant, a Danish chivalric order and Denmark's highest honor.

The most remarkable aspect of Queen Mary's ensemble was a newly designed bandeau tiara. Its diamonds were carefully extracted from a medieval-inspired belt created in 1840 by goldsmith Carl Martin Weisshaupt. This innovative tiara, co-designed by Queen Mary and Danish Royal Collection experts in 2024, allows for the diamonds to be replaced if desired.