We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Re: Dutch noble familes
Posted by Johan on July 5, 2026, 12:40 am, in reply to "Dutch noble familes"
If there are some impressive pieces they get hidden very well. I cannot think of an event where we have seen Dutch nobles wear anything of substance. Even the Grand mistress of the Court who is noble by birth and married to a count (head of his branch of the family) is never seen with a tiara or other grander pieces.
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We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Thanks Johan Strange though. Can you think of any reason why this is so?
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If there are some impressive pieces they get hidden very well. I cannot think of an event where we have seen Dutch nobles wear anything of substance. Even the Grand mistress of the Court who is noble by birth and married to a count (head of his branch of the family) is never seen with a tiara or other grander pieces.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Inheritance laws in The Netherlands mean that everything gets split between all the children and things don't go in bulk to one heir or heiress. It also explains why we don't have (many) grand estates or castles.
Another reason is that much of the nobility died during the 80 year war and in the following wars in the 17th and 18th century. As we were a Republic no new noble titles were created. That only started after 1806 when Louis Napoleon became King of Holland and in 1813 when Willem I became first Sovereign Prince and in 1814 King of the Netherlands. In the 1980's it was decided that new noble titles will only be created for members of the Royal House.
We still have several noble families but they are not all very wealthy. In the Netherlands the title of count (earl) is basically the highest title, than there are barons, knights and jonkheren. yes there are a few higher titles but they belong to families who were incorporated into the Dutch nobility.
Next to the noble families we have the Patrician families. Some of those still are very well off. But the richest layers of Dutch society are to be found among entrepreneurs. The heirs of the Heineken conglomerate or the Brenninkmeijers (one married HRH princess Maria Carolina de Bourbon de Parme).
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Thanks Johan Strange though. Can you think of any reason why this is so?
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If there are some impressive pieces they get hidden very well. I cannot think of an event where we have seen Dutch nobles wear anything of substance. Even the Grand mistress of the Court who is noble by birth and married to a count (head of his branch of the family) is never seen with a tiara or other grander pieces.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Re: Dutch noble familes
Posted by John R on July 6, 2026, 9:02 am, in reply to "Dutch noble familes"
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Previous Message
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Some of Juliana's Ladies in Waiting were from the Baronial Bentinck and Van Heemstra families. They might have had a small tiara for court appearances. Other LiW might have borrowed pieces from friends or relatives.
[quote I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Previous Message
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Worn by Miss Emily Breemers, ex girlfriend of the then Prince of Orange.
Previous Message
Some of Juliana's Ladies in Waiting were from the Baronial Bentinck and Van Heemstra families. They might have had a small tiara for court appearances. Other LiW might have borrowed pieces from friends or relatives.
[quote I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Previous Message
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Re: Van der Wyck Tiara
Posted by JohnPete on July 7, 2026, 11:43 am, in reply to "Van der Wyck Tiara"
Looks like it can also be worn as a bracelet!
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Worn by Miss Emily Breemers, ex girlfriend of the then Prince of Orange.
Previous Message
Some of Juliana's Ladies in Waiting were from the Baronial Bentinck and Van Heemstra families. They might have had a small tiara for court appearances. Other LiW might have borrowed pieces from friends or relatives.
[quote I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Previous Message
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Worn by Miss Emily Breemers, ex girlfriend of the then Prince of Orange.
Previous Message
Some of Juliana's Ladies in Waiting were from the Baronial Bentinck and Van Heemstra families. They might have had a small tiara for court appearances. Other LiW might have borrowed pieces from friends or relatives.
[quote I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Previous Message
No not really. There were only a few noble families with close ties to the royal court in the late 19th century, early 20th century and none had spectacular jewels we know of. If they had court jewels made in the 19th century (tiaras and necklaces) they were either dismantled or sold vey discretely. The Dutch Royal Court was very sober. Queen Sophie and Queen Anna Pavlovna complained about the soberness of the palaces and the informality at court. Anna Pavolva was know to have gifted some of her gaudy jewels to her courtiers. probably because they did not have anything substantial to wear to begin with. Also there have never been spectacular Dutch / Noble jewels up for auction in the Netherlands. Compared to Germany, Belgium and the UK noble families in the Netherlands are relatively poor. There are only a handful of Comital titles (40). A few Margraves. No Dukes, No Marquises. Quite a few Barons. The highest ranking noble family after the royals are the Bourbon Parmas (cousins to the King) but this branch also does not own any spectacular jewels. What they have is small stuff which they inherited from Queen Juliana. There are a few hundred untitled nobles / peers : Esquire / Junker / Jonkheer. Mostly created in the 19th century. No vast estates, certainly no jewels..... The Duch Royal family has an exceptional jewel collection by any standard.
Previous Message
We know that there are a lot of Princely houses and noble families in Germany that has old single pieces or large collections of jewellery. Just think of the von Thurn und Taxis fx.
But how is it with Dutch noble families? I have tried to find out if there are families with collections, but without success. I know we saw a Mrs Oetker with a famous tiara at a galla event in The Netherlands recently.
So my question: Are there noble families in The Netherlands with large collections or old single pieces, fx like the Oetker tiara
Possibly you were thinking of Maria Clara Electra van Eysinga, née baroness van Harinxma thoe Slooten. Ages ago a quite regal portrait was published of her in full regalia with her husband, jonkheer Cornelis van Eysinga.
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I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Years ago we discussed and found out the very regal lady behind queen Juliana.
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Possibly you were thinking of Maria Clara Electra van Eysinga, née baroness van Harinxma thoe Slooten. Ages ago a quite regal portrait was published of her in full regalia with her husband, jonkheer Cornelis van Eysinga.
Previous Message
I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
Years ago we discussed and found out the very regal lady behind queen Juliana.
Previous Message
Possibly you were thinking of Maria Clara Electra van Eysinga, née baroness van Harinxma thoe Slooten. Ages ago a quite regal portrait was published of her in full regalia with her husband, jonkheer Cornelis van Eysinga.
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I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
The photo is taking in connection with the Austrian State Visit to the Netherlands in 1961. Seeing that she has been awarded a rather high grade of the Austrian Order she must be someone quite high up in the echelon of the Dutch Royal Court.
The Grand Mistress (Grootmeesteres) at that time was "mevrouw" G.J. van Wickevoort Crommelin. Now, whather the lady in the photo is the Grootmeesteres I don't know and I have no knowledge of the Wickevoort Crommelin family. But I think it is likely her given the closeness to the Royal Party in this photo.
The photo is taking in connection with the Austrian State Visit to the Netherlands in 1961. Seeing that she has been awarded a rather high grade of the Austrian Order she must be someone quite high up in the echelon of the Dutch Royal Court.
The Grand Mistress (Grootmeesteres) at that time was "mevrouw" G.J. van Wickevoort Crommelin. Now, whather the lady in the photo is the Grootmeesteres I don't know and I have no knowledge of the Wickevoort Crommelin family. But I think it is likely her given the closeness to the Royal Party in this photo.
Years ago we discussed and found out the very regal lady behind queen Juliana.
Previous Message
Possibly you were thinking of Maria Clara Electra van Eysinga, née baroness van Harinxma thoe Slooten. Ages ago a quite regal portrait was published of her in full regalia with her husband, jonkheer Cornelis van Eysinga.
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I have seen once, I think, a lady in waiting of queen Juliana with a tiara.
on July 4, 2026, 2:07 am
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