20 Famous Royal Crowns and Tiaras

The Monomakh’s Cap, Russia

This crown consists of a 14th century gold filigree skullcap inlaid with rubies and emeralds and is the oldest crown on display in the Kremlin. It is a relic from the Russian Grand Princes and Tsars and is believed to have originated in central Asia.

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara

This tiara of 15 intertwined diamond circles strung together with a diamond ribbon on top and hung with articulating pendant pearls, made in the 1874. Duchess Vladimir hid this tiara at Vladimir Palace in 1918 when she fled St. Petersburg in the wake of the revolution. It stayed hidden until a friend smuggled the jewels out of Russia for the Grand Duchess. It changed hands a few times and now belongs to Queen Elizabeth II. It can be worn with either emeralds or diamonds.

Imperial Crown of Russia

The Imperial Crown of Russia was first used in the coronation of Catherine The Great, in 1762. The crown jewels were used as collateral in a loan from the newly formed Irish Republic and was lost in Ireland until 1948. By 1950 it was returned to Moscow.

The Poltimore Tiara

This tiara was made for Lady Poltimore in the 1870’s and made famous by Princess Margaret in the 1950’s. It is a convertible piece, breaking down into a necklace and a set of 11 brooches. Margaret died in 2002 and this and other gems had to be sold at auction.

The Crown of Eric XIV, Sweden

This Renaissance style crown belonged to Eric XIV circa 1561. The crown like many that have survived many centuries have been altered over time but was restored to its original form last century.

Next Page: MORE Famous Royal Crowns and Tiaras!