The Danish crown jewels
The Danish crown jewels are the only ones in the world that are both displayed as museum artifacts and worn by the country's reigning queen. Here, you can delve into the beautiful crown jewels and their fascinating history.
Crown jewels in use
The Danish crown jewels are the only ones in the world that are both displayed as museum artifacts and worn by the country's reigning queen. They have been worn by generations of Danish queens and have been adapted to the changing fashions of the times.
Tradition dictates that the crown jewels are only used by the reigning queen and only within the country's borders. This typically happens a few times a year. Today, it is H.M. Queen Mary who can wear the jewelry. The Queen wears them at special events where gala attire is required. Therefore, the crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle can not only be seen in the Treasury year-round but also when the Royal House represents Denmark at special occasions.
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It all started with a grieving widow...
When Queen Sophie Magdalene, wife of Christian VI, became a widow in 1746, she believed she would soon die of sorrow. Therefore, she wrote a will.
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Jewels close to the crown
In her will, she decided that her jewelry should not be given to a specific person, but should always be "with the crown.
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Crown jewels for the future queens
That way, there would always be magnificent jewelry available for the reigning queen. Smart, right?"
Fashion changes, and so do the crown jewels
Most of Queen Sophie Magdalene's original jewelry has since been altered as jewelry fashion has changed.
The crown jewels took their current form under Queen Caroline Amalie, who had them remodeled by the goldsmith C.M. Weishaupt & Söhne, Hanau in Hessen between 1840 and 1842.
She arranged the collection of precious stones into the four current sets according to the fashion that, since Napoleon's empire around the year 1800, had become – and still is – the standard for large jewelry sets.
Queen Lovisa's crown jewels
Expansion of the collection
Some queens have used the crown jewels a lot, others almost not at all. Queen Lovisa (1851-1926), the wife of Frederik VIII, was very interested in the crown jewels and in 1910 redefined which pieces of jewelry belong to the crown jewels.
A transport case with jewelry
At the same time, she had a transport case built with three drawers, so the entire collection could be relatively easily moved when they needed to be used.
A transport case with jewelr
At the same time, she had a transport case built with three drawers, so the entire collection could be relatively easily moved when they needed to be used.
Jewelry for exhibition
The jewelry from Queen Lovisa is today exhibited at the Amalienborg Museum.