The Maltese Cross Circlet made its way into the Norwegian royal family through Queen Maud, who was born as Princess Maud of Wales.
NPG x196865 © National Portrait Gallery, London
The piece was made for her mother, Queen Alexandra, and the tiara is named after the Maltese crosses, which have been placed on the bandeau base. It originally had four fleur-de-lys elements between the crosses, but these were removed by Maud. Maud inherited it from her mother upon the latter’s death in 1925.
She took the tiara with her to the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. When she returned in 1938, she also took it with her to allow it to be cleaned. However, she died rather unexpectedly while in London. The circlet remained in London until they were returned in 1953.1
Queen Sonja has worn the circlet with and without the crosses.
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