15/06/2026
History Monday - The Stuart Tiara
The magnificent Stuart Tiara is one of the grandest and most historic royal jewels still in existence today.
Created in 1897 by German jeweller Eduard SchĂĽrmann for Queen Emma and the inauguration of her daughter, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the tiara was designed around its most famous feature: the remarkable 39.75-carat Stuart Diamond.
The diamond’s story stretches back centuries. Acquired by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1690, it became part of the House of Orange collection and remains one of the most important diamonds in the Dutch royal treasury.
The tiara’s ingenious design allows it to be worn in several different ways. Its towering arches and the famous Stuart Diamond can be removed, transforming it from a spectacular state tiara into a more wearable diamond bandeau. The detachable stones can even be worn separately as jewellery.
A favourite of Queen Wilhelmina and later Queen Juliana, the tiara disappeared from public view for many years during Queen Beatrix’s reign. It was dramatically revived by Queen Máxima, who reintroduced both the smaller and full versions at state occasions, reminding the world why it is considered one of the greatest royal tiaras ever created.
Today, the Stuart Tiara remains one of the crown jewels of the Dutch Royal Family and a breathtaking symbol of over three centuries of European royal history.
