The insurance experts at money.co.uk studied the policy costs for tiaras worn by royals all over the globe to estimate which royal is paying the most to keep their jewellery safe.
From the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II to Spain’s Queen Letizia to Margrethe II of Denmark, famous royals have long been known for their vast collection of valuable jewellery. But just how much would they need to pay to insure their tiara collections?
To find out, the insurance experts at Money.co.uk studied the policy costs for tiaras worn by royals all over the globe, using a list of eight countries around Europe with active royal families and identifying their three most recently worn wedding tiaras.
Diamond experts at Steven Stone then teamed up with the insurance experts to provide an estimated valuation for each tiara, before they created an insurance estimate based on the age of the royal family member and the estimated cost of each headpiece.
You can read the full study here.
Which royal family’s tiara collection would cost the most to insure?
1. The United Kingdom
Annual cost to insure the collection – £297,466
The study revealed that UK royals would need to spend the most on insuring their tiara collection. After analysing the jewels, our experts estimated that the total cost of the royal family’s three most recently worn wedding tiaras equates to £17 million, which means they could cost around £297,466 a year to insure.
Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £174,980
The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara is made of rose-cut pave diamonds set in platinum and is adorned with six emeralds. The centre features a 93.7-carat cabochon-cut emeralds and was worn by Princess Eugenie of York when marrying Jack Brooksbank on 12 October 2018.
The distinctive diamond and emerald headpiece, made by the French jeweller Boucheron in 1919, which we estimated to be worth £10 million, making it the most expensive of all the tiaras studied. The money.co.uk analysis found that it could potentially cost the royal family £174,980 to insure annually.
Queen Mary Fringe Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £87,490
The Queen Mary Fringe Tiara comprises 47 diamond bars with alternating smaller diamond spikes. It is set in gold and silver and was crafted in 1919 by the British jewellers Garrard and Co. using a diamond necklace that was given to Queen Mary on her wedding day in 1893.
It is the same headpiece Queen Elizabeth II wore when she married the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 and was also Worn by Princess Beatrice of York when marrying Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020.
We took a close look at the tiara, and estimated to be worth in the region of £5 million. The insurance experts said this means it could cost the royal family £87,490 to insure each year.
Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £34,996
Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara is set with large and small diamonds in a geometric design. Worn by Meghan Markle when marrying Prince Harry on 19th May 2018, the centre stone on the headpiece is a detachable 10-diamond brooch, gifted to Queen Mary on her wedding day in 1893, making the tiara dual purpose.
The tiara was used for the first time in 65 years when worn by Meghan Markle on her big day in 2018. It is estimated to be worth in the region of £2 million, with a staggering cost of £34,996 to insure each year.
The Netherlands
Annual cost to insure the collection – £266,769
In second place comes the Dutch royal family, who would need to spend a staggering amount of money to insure their tiara collection. Here at Steven Stone, we estimated the total value of the royal family’s three most recently worn wedding tiaras could add up to around £17 million, whilst Money.co.uk found the tiaras could cost around £266,769 to insure each year.
Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £135,538
The Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau Tiara, also known as the Dutch Diamond Bandeau, was created in 1937. The headpiece was made using 34 large diamonds from a necklace belonging to Queen Juliana’s grandmother, Queen Emma. Worn by Queen Juliana when marrying Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld on 7 January 1937, the diamonds adorned across the bandeau weigh more than 100 carats.
The tiara is estimated to be worth around £8 million and could cost the royal family around £125,538 annually to insure.
The Dutch Star Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £78,461
Queen Maxima created the Dutch Star Tiara for her wedding day using two different pieces of existing royal jewellery. The monarch utilised the base of the existing Dutch Pearl Button Tiara, but rather than pearl buttons added five diamond stars belonging to Queen Emma.
Our expert valued this elegant tiara at £5 million, which means it could potentially cost the royal family £78,461 to insure.
The Württemberg Tiara // Valued at £4 million
The stunning ornate Württemberg Pearl Tiara was created for Queen Wilhelmina ahead of her inauguration ceremony to become the Dutch monarch. Set with diamonds, it also features 35 round pearls and 11 pear-shaped pearls. The best part? The tiara can be worn in four separate settings, making it highly versatile for different royal events.
Diamond expert, Zack Stone, estimated this value at around £4 million, which means that the Dutch royal family would need to spend around £62,769 on insurance.
3. Norway
Annual cost to insure the collection – £243,230
In third place comes Norway, with the three most recent wedding tiaras totalling up to around £15.5 million, costing £243,230 to insure each year.
Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £156,923
Worn by Princess Maud when marrying Haakon VII of Norway on 22nd July 1896, the tri-level diamond tiara – made by Carrington – is the biggest in the Norweigan royal collection. A level of diamond floral elements sits atop a diamond bandeau base, with a row of 13 diamond buttons on the top.
Our experts expect this tiara to be worth around £10 million, which means it could potentially cost the Norweigan royal family £156,923 to insure each year.
Vasa Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £78,461
The Vasa Tiara takes its name from the Vasa family heraldic crest that is the central design of the tiara. It was worn by Princess Märtha when marrying Ari Behn on 24 May 2002.
Made in 1929 by CF Carlman, the headpiece features a crown set with 956 diamonds weighing 49.5 carats, white solitaires in a blue-white motif crown, and four-carat solitaire diamonds. We estimated to be worth £5 million, suggesting the tiara could cost the royal family £78,461 a year on insurance.
The Diamond Daisy Bandeau Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £7,846
Pretty and delicate, the Diamond Daisy Bandeau Tiara showcases 23 floral rosettes made out of diamonds. The tiara, created in 1910, has become a signature piece of jewellery for Princess Mette-Marit of Norway who wore it when marrying Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway on 25 August 2001.
On the lower end of the cost scale, this has an estimated value of £500,000, which means it could potentially cost the Norweigan royal family £7,846 to insure per annum.
4. Denmark
Annual cost to insure to collection – £172,615
Next up is Denmark, as we valued the royal family’s three most recently worn wedding tiaras to be worth around £11 million, which means they could cost around £172,615 to insure each year.
The Rundell Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £117,692
Created by Garrard in 1862, this tiara has three rows of diamonds on a solid base with interchangeable elements on the top. Part of a larger diamond and pearl collection, which includes a necklace, a brooch and a pair of earrings, it was a wedding gift from the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863.
We expect this tiara is worth around £7.5 million, which could cost the royal family approximately £117,692 to insure per year.
The Khedive of Egypt Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £39,231
Worn by Queen Margrethe when marrying Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark on 10 June 1967, the Khedive of Egypt Tiara was a gift to Queen Margrethe II from the Khedive of Egypt, who commissioned Cartier to create the headpiece as a wedding gift.
The tiara is estimated to be worth £2.5 million, which means an annual insurance cost of approximately £39,231 for the royal family.
Crown Princess Mary’s Wedding Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £15,692
Crown Princess Mary’s Wedding Tiara features five prominent peaks with six smaller diamond prongs in between,.The tiara’s diamond tips can be switched for pearls depending on the the look you desire.
The tiara, a gift from Crown Princess Mary’s new parents-in-law, is valued at approximately £1 million and could potentially cost the Danish royals £15,692 a year to insure. It was most recently worn by Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby when marrying Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway on 25 August 2001.
5. Belgium
Annual cost to insure the collection – £166,338
With a modest tiara collection in comparison to the UK, our experts valued the three most recently worn wedding tiaras at an estimated £10.6 million, whilst money.co.uk revealed they have an estimated combined insurance premium of £166,338 per year.
The Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £78,461
It will come as no surprise to hear that the Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara was a wedding present. It was gifted to Queen Fabiola of Belgium from Generalissimo Franco. The versatile piece can be worn in three different ways, with the centre of each diamond leaf element studded with either rubies, emeralds, or aquamarines.
Worn by Princess Fabiola de Mora y Aragon when marrying Baudouin of Belgium on 15 December 1960, the tiara is estimated to be worth £5 million, which means it could potentially cost the royal family £78,461 each year to insure.
Belgian Scroll Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £78,461
The Belgium Scroll Tiara, made of diamonds set in platinum with palmette, crescent, and scroll motifs, was created by Henry Coosemans in 1953 and was Worn by Princess Josephine-Charlotte when she married Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg on 9th April 1953. This tiara is also versatile, as the largest central diamond is detachable and can also be worn as a ring.
We gave it an estimated value of £5 million, which means it could cost the Belgian royal family approximately £78,461 to insure per annum.
Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Art Deco Bandeau Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £9,415
Made in the early 20th century, the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Art Deco Bandeau Tiara features a simplistic zig-zag design with round diamonds and a laurel wreath. Like many royal headpieces, it is multifunctional and can also be worn as a necklace.
Valued at £6 million, this small bandeau tiara that Princess Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz wore when marrying Philippe of Belgium on 4th December 1999 could cost the royal family £9,415 to insure annually.
6. Spain
Annual cost to insure the collection – £117,692
We valued Spain’s three most recently worn royal wedding tiaras at £7.5 million, which means that all three tiaras combined could potentially cost the Spanish royal family an estimated £117,692 to insure each year.
The Marichalar Meander Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £47,077
Combining various classical motifs in a kokoshnik-inspired shape, this tiara features diamonds and platinum with a base of metal circles, a laurel wreath in the middle, and a meander at the top.
The headpiece, given to Infanta Elena of Spain as a wedding present by her husband and mother-in-law, is estimated to be worth £3 million. This means the Spanish royals would need to spend an estimated £47,077 to insure it per annum.
Fleur de Lys Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £39,231
Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain’s Fleur de Lys Tiara, made by court jeweller Ansorena in 1906, has become the most important tiara in the Spanish royal family
. The headpiece, gifted by Alfonso XIII on their wedding day, is covered in large round diamonds set in platinum and features three large fleur-de-lys motifs.
Our team valued the tiara at around £2.5 million, and the insurance experts noted that it could potentially cost the royals £39,231 annually to insure.
The Prussian Diamond Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £31,385
The Prussian (or Hellenic) Diamond Tiara features a band of laurel leaves crowning the top of the tiara, resting on gem-set columns and a meander base. It also has a stunning swinging pear-shaped diamond pendant in the centre of the tiara that moves with motion.
Worn by Queen Letizia Ortiz when marrying Felipe VI on 22nd May 2004, we valued at an estimated £2 million, meaning it could cost the Spanish royal family £31,385 to insure each year.
7. Sweden
Annual cost to insure the collection – £86,830
The total cost of the Swedish royal family’s three most recently worn wedding tiaras is currently worth just over £5 million, which could cost the royals around £86,830 to insure each year, according to Money.co.uk.
Palmette Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £69,992
The Palmette Tiara features diamond palmettes set on a diamond-studded base and is interspersed with diamond spikes. Originally, Princess Sofia wore the tiara with a set of emerald toppers, however over the years pearl and blue toppers have been worn too.
The extravagant headpiece, is estimated to be worth £4 million. The insurance analysis found it could set the Swedish royal family back £69,992 each year.
Cameo Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £13,338_._
The tiara is part of a 19th-century parure including a pair of earrings, a necklace, a brooch and a bracelet. Set in yellow gold and surrounded by pearls, with pearl floral motifs embellished across the headpiece, it truly is beautiful. The cameos feature Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, and her son, Cupid, god of passion and desire.
Despite not holding a single diamond, the tiara is estimated to be worth £850,000. According to the study, insuring this unusual headpiece could cost £13,338 each year.
Modern Fringe Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £3,500
One of the cheapest tiaras in the study, Sweden’s Modern Fringe Tiara features simple vertical spikes and geometric fleur-de-lys elements. Each large spike has three diamonds/ It very unique, and stands out from any other fringe design. It was last Worn by Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsinglan when marrying Christopher O’Neill on 8 June 2013.
The headpiece, which looks like a halo when worn, has an estimated value of £200,000, setting the Swedish royal family back £3,500 to protect annually.
7. Liechtenstein
Annual cost to insure the collection – £29,031
In last eighth place, with the least expensive tiara collection is Liechtenstein. We valued the royal family’s three most recently worn wedding tiaras at just under £2 million, and Money.co.uk found it would cost around £29,031 to insure them collectively each year.
Kinsky Honeysuckle Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £15,692
The Kinsky Honeysuckle Tiara dates back to the 19th-century and is made of honeysuckle motifs in diamond, silver and gold. The honeysuckle designs are surrounded by a halo of diamonds, and each element is separated by a vertical floral design.
This floral tiara belonging to Princess Angela has been valued at £1 million, costing £15,692 to insure each year.
The Savoy Ivy Wreath Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £7,846
Worn by Princess Maria-Pia to her wedding on 12th February 1955, the Savoy Ivy Wreath Tiara is made from a gold baroque brooch with a diamond and pearl stomacher belonging to Princess Maria-Pia’s grandmother, Queen Elena of Italy. Visually it resembles an ivy wreath when donned on the head of the wearer.
We think this piece is worth around £500,000. As a result, it could potentially cost £7,846 to insure per annum.
The Habsburg Fringe Tiara // Annual cost to insure – £5,492
This striking headpiece is made of diamonds set in silver and gold and can also be worn as a necklace, like many fringe tiaras. It was made in around 1890 in Vienna by Köchert, an imperial court jeweller.
Often described as the grandest tiara in the family’s collection, the Habsburg Fringe Tiara is frequently worn at major royal events. It has been valued at £350,000, which means it could cost the royal family £5,492 to insure each year.
According to ONS crime statistics, jewellery and watches are among the most popular items stolen during home burglaries. Having a comprehensive contents insurance policy can protect you and your precious jewels should your home be broken into.
If you’re looking for jewellery to rival royalty, our team can design bespoke creations, tailored to you. From engagement rings and wedding rings to necklaces and pendants, your options are endless.
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