Appropriate Age to Wear Jewellery
 

What is the appropraite age for a born-princess to begin wearing jewelry? 18? Are some jewels, like coral or pearls, appropriate for younger princesses? I know QE2 (or was it Princess Anne?) wore coral beads as a little girl.

I know that generally a woman should not wear a tiara until she is married. Sarah Ferguson kept to this tradition when she married Prince Andrew, going into the church wearing flowers in her hair and coming out with a diamond tiara. The princesses of Sweden started wearing tiaras when they turned eighteen. Most modern princesses (even the young ones) have been seen with modest pieces made of gold and tiny jewels.

I was wondering about the eventual coronation of Charles and Camilla. Will the younger princesses wear tiaras and other finery? Although not usually acceptable, is a grand affair like a coronation grounds for eschewing the normal rules?

For some reason, I think that when the girl turns 16, "simple" & "small" jewels like a single strand of pearls w/matching earrings and a bracelet are age acceptable. But it also depends on the maturity of the girl. For a born princess, I think she would have the maturity. For the every day common girl, maybe not so.
But then again, I think 18 is a good age to start wearing simple jewels. Princess or not.

Sarah wore the tiara already when she entered the Church but the Flowers covered it. In some pictures you can see the tiara.

I'm thinking that 18 would be the appropiate age to start wearing (small) tiaras and other family jewels...isn't that when they start to attend galas and stuff like that? Where could we find the answer to this question??

Really? Well, I suppose doing it in that fashion simplified the process. I still think it was in keeping with the tradition, or else, why bother covering it with the flowers?

I think maybe only small jewelled hair ornaments (very small, not at all tiara like) would be acceptable at an event like a coronation or enthroning for girls under 18. I do agree that nothing flashy should be worn until the girls are attending large events in an official capacity.

Princess Madeleine was just under 18 for her father's 50th birthday and she wore really simple jewelry. It suited her age perfectly, just a pearl necklace and small earrings with no tiara. I think princesses by birth generally get small tiaras at the age of 18 and a couple months later are given a bigger tiara for grander occasions. A princess by marriage most likely wears a tiara on her wedding day or right before her wedding like Maxima and Mary.

I think it also depends on the royal family. Beatrix was extemely generous with Maxima before the wedding. I think Maxima had the most access to jewels prior to her marriage than any other recent princess. She also seems to have the most access now too.

I heard/read that in the 19th century and on the beginning of the 20th century royal/aristocratic young woman went on their first ball at the age of 16.
Maybe it was their first time when they officially wore dynastic jewelry?

I think the age of 18 is good to begin wearing serious, dynastic jewelry for todays royal girls.:smile:

I have a question: from what age can be used a tiara?

Thanks in advance :flowers:

The standard age seems to be 18. I know all the Scandinavian countries with royalty (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), princesses are given their first tiara at 18. It's usually small; Martha Louise, Victoria, and Madeleine all had pretty tiny tiaras as their first (Victoria's was by far the worst! It can't even be called a tiara). They usually get an upgrade within the year. Probably depends upon the country but 18 seems to be the age in most countries.

I would agree with 18 years and up.

I have to say though that Crown Princess Victoria's first tiara was undeniably horrible in every way. Its such an unattractive piece.

IMO I think that 18 is an appropriate to give jewelry to young women. I remember getting my first real strand of pearls when I was 18 and I love them to death, I think something that special you always remember. I think since royal women are of age and probably will start doing officail functions I think it would be appropriate to give them jewelry specifically a tiara;) , I personally love how the swedish royals did their's. They started with small tiaras for their 18th birthday and slowly worked up to bigger sophisticated tiaras.:smile:

I agree that the Swedish Royal Family did well with the tiaras for their two princesses. Although, for a Crown Princess, Victoria got kind of shafted in her first two tiaras. The first one can't even be called a tiara and then she received the Four Buttons! It's a relief that the Baden Fringe wasn't too far behind :lol: . Madeleine got a better deal. First, the aquamarine tiara (small but better than Victoria's) and then the gorgeous Fringe tiara. She's used the Six Buttons twice but I don't think she's going to use it very often.

As the only daughter of the King of Norway, Martha Louise's tiara collection is surprising. I've only seen her use three tiaras and two of those she only used once. The tiara that she always uses is tiny and unfortunate. The tiara she wore at her wedding was beautiful and I wish Sonja would let her use it when Martha Louise participates in galas and such. I've seen her wear a bandeau tiara (?) once when she was young and that's it.

How did the Spanish Infantas receive their first tiaras?

I agree that a Princess' first tiara should be smaller in size but that is no excuse for ugliness :lol:

Question -- 'Back in the day' didn't the young lady get her first real pearl necklace at her official Sweet 16 party?

That aquamarine item is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. You could buy something prettier in the dress up department of a toy store!

I agree that it's not the prettiest thing in the world but it beats Victoria's first tiara! It can't even be considered a tiara, everything about it is just plain awful and it was made for the future Queen of Sweden!

I thought when Martha Louise married she lost her HRH status, would that be why she doesn't wear a tiara at events anymore? Does only someone styled HRH get to wear a tiara at events in Norway? I'm not sure that's why I'm asking but that would be my guess. Yes, Socal girl I agree with you that Sonja could have let Martha Louise borrow more substantial tiaras when she was still a princess.

And I agree with you guys that Madeliene's aquamarine tiara is not very pretty, it looks like something that a Star Trek princess would wear. And I agree that victoria's first tiara shouldn't even be called a tiara or even since you can't see the stones that are on it. But this is conversation that's already been covered in the Worst Royal Jewels thread so I will stay on topic here.:flowers:

No both Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid lost their HRH at their respective marriages and they wear tiaras when attending State Bandquets or Balls as dos Princess Märtha Louise when she attends a State Banquet or other occasion when tiaras are worn.

This is an interesting conversation, does anyone have pictures of the Tiara's that are being discussed?