Tiara questions; usage, size, metals etc

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Prince of Chota

Also, you may often see a tiara in German called a "diadem," as this is the word.

And in Dutch (diadeem) and in French (diademe), etc.

It is too late since 'the anglosaxon disease' already has affected the original meaning of the word 'tiara' too far, but what we see on ladies during a state banquet are diademes or bandeaus. But since English has become the lingua franca of internet, the (wrong) words are used in many articles and on boards and now it is like the word has always been 'tiara', which is not.

[Saturn]

The same in spanish, as a rule people say 'diadema', though tiara is becoming more popular everyday.

[RachelD]

I've also heard tiaras/diademe's called "coronita/s" in Spanish. This means small crown/petite crown.

[LadyK]

why do some countries share around their tiaras, and some not? and how do they decide which ones to wear?

[Prince of Chota]

It may be a bit like chaos theory, but I speak four languages, and here write in English, so I don't ask too many questions...whatever gets the point across, I guess...

In English, I see "Diadem" used in close association with "circlet" because of various connotations that the word has acquired. Whatever the original meanings of these words, their use has been solidified into English along with "tiara"...I guess that in translation, one must be careful to avoid the false friend of "Diadem" for fear of sounding awkward. I usually will use "tiara" in English simply because it is the general English catch-all for diadems, bandeaux, and circlets.

But enough with the linguistics...I would also like to know if there is a particular reason for sharing jewels versus loaning them, etc. in various nations. My only guess is that it has to do with the legal status of the jewels, such as a trust that the entire collection is kept in, etc.

[Jaya]

So I venture to guess that each House of Gotha would wear the appropriate tiara, diadem, coronet etc to denote the status of the Royal House.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Jaya

So I venture to guess that each House of Gotha would wear the appropriate tiara, diadem, coronet etc to denote the status of the Royal House.

Not really; a tiara is a tiara and people wear what they have. The grandness of a tiara doesn't necessarily equate to the grandness or standing of the House.

[Prince of Chota]

Crowns and Coronets are actually uncommon to wear outside of the United Kingdom. Most monarchs in Europe have investiture ceremonies rather than coronations, now, so there really isn't as much of a use for crowns. Most of the nobility that would have used coronets has been mediatised or abolished as well, so you'll mostly ever see sovereign crowns used for official business. Their status as a symbol of state, however, remains fairly intact.

[LadyK]

What is the general usage of tiaras and orders of the royals when in non-monarchies? (Such as when they visit the US)
Do they normally wear tiaras? Do they all have orders?

Please post pictures of orders from other countries.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by LadyK

Please post pictures of orders from other countries.

Please note we have an existing thread in this Forum for Orders and Decorations.

[BurberryBrit]

For anyone who can answer, would it be inappropriate to wear a tiara (real jewels but not necessarily of historical significance i.e. not a family heirloom) in the presence of royalty/nobility if one is not royal? Since it is, according to the definitions given, hair ornamentation, would it be looked down upon or would it truly not matter?

[sorsara]

I have a questoin... what are the ocasions when a queen or a princess wears a Tiara? or can she wear it all the time or whenever she wants?

[Warren]

Hello sorsara. These days tiara events are not as common as they were in the past, and seem to be limited to very formal occasions such as State Dinners, or functions celebrating significant royal events, anniversaries and milestones. Different monarchies have different traditions for these formal events, for example in Denmark Royal Weddings are quite glittering. The State Opening of Parliament by Queen Elizabeth is a full-on tiara occasion, while in The Netherlands the opening of Parliament by Queen Beatrix is not. There are also the private parties where tiaras would be worn but that we don't get to see.

Once upon a time royal ladies would wear tiaras to attend the theatre, but those days are gone.

[Prince of Chota]

Also, once upon a time tiaras were not limited to or necessarily symbolic of royalty. Anyone who was welathy enough to afford one and attended social events like opera and theatre would have been able to wear one without looking too presumtuous. Also, they were--and in many ways are--still quite common for weddings. However, they seem to have always been less common in countries that were not monarchies. I think that the very idea of a tiara seems to lofty and ostentatious to many people these days, so it's perhaps the reason that the use of jewelled hair ornaments has become less common and only reserved for the most formal of events.

[HRH Kerry]

So there is no difference between a diadem and a tiara? Just the language?

[Sister Morphine]

Originally Posted by kerry

So there is no difference between a diadem and a tiara? Just the language?

Right.

[HRH Kerry]

Thanks for the clarification, Sister Morphine. All this time I was totally confused.

[Warren]

The term 'diadem' is more European usage for 'tiara'.
From a more Anglo viewpoint, here are some descriptions.

[HRH Kerry]

Thanks, Warren. You have also cleared up what would've been my next question: What is a circlet? I think I got it.