I'm writing of what I recall from the documentary. Perhaps I have it wrong.
But I understood that the set of rubies and diamonds commissioned for Napoleon's coronation had no head ornament at all unless small pieces could be placed in the hair.
That bandeau was put together by someone else later. That's how I recall the story.
--Previous Message-- : There was no tiara to begin with. : : Why not? Because you'd rather call the piece : before Queen Ingrid augmented it a : 'bandeau'? : : --Previous Message-- : : There was no tiara to begin with. : : : --Previous Message-- : Perhaps you misunderstood me - I certainly : did : not mean to be dogmatic here (and I believe : the same goes for Tamara) about a rule which : would declare historic pieces to be : untouchable and that they should by no means : be altered by a new wearer. : Jewelry collections have always evolved, : been added to and their pieces altered : according to taste and fashions, so that's a : historic habit in itself. : : IMHO, current alterations of historic pieces : are not necessarily 'sad' at all if they are : executed with respect for the original : character of the jewel itself (like the new : base of Princess Marie's flower tiara), : especiallly if they're not permanent (like : the Bernadotte amethyst tiara, which remains : convertible into the original necklace), and : in general if they can be considered an : improvement esthetically. : : In the case of the ruby tiara (only about 60 : years old in its former version), I just do : not see that any of the points above apply, : and that's why I find the changes so : unfortunate - regarding this particular : example, not in general. : : : : : --Previous Message-- : Princess Mary wore the ruby Tiara Queen : Ingrid gave to her Grandson Frederic. The : Queen never wore it and was happy to see : this tiara again. Crown Princess Mary change : the tiara and I agree totally with Tamara : and Boris It is sad to change historical : jewels. : : She owns one tiara , the one she received as : wedding present and again she added a row of : pearls. : : I visited Rosenberg Castle and saw the State : jewels and Wow.. : I hope the future Queen will never change : them. May She ? : : : : : : :