Swedish royal family displays centuries-old jewelry at Nobel ceremony

Queen Silvia turned heads in a yellow dress by Georg and Arend, embroidered with tiny pearls, crystals and pearls, previously worn at the golden jubilee of King Carl XVI Gustaf. The highlight of the look was the nine-pointed tiara, commissioned in the 19th century by Oscar II for Sofia of Nassau. With its diamond “suns” and Victorian design, the piece is a symbol of the continuity of the dynasty and has adorned several generations of the Bernadotte family.

Crown Princess Victoria rescued a pearl gray Jacques Zehnder dress, worn by Queen Silvia at the 1994 Nobel ceremony, and incorporated the Order of the Seraphim blue cordon into the production. The Baden Fringe Tiara, made up of 47 diamonds, completed the set. Gifted to the future Queen Victoria in 1881, the piece has become a signature of the heiress’s public image since its first use at the wedding of Prince Haakon of Norway in 2001.

Princess Madeleine opted for a Jenny Packham dress, studded with crystals and accompanied by a flowing cape, which highlighted the aquamarine kokoshnik tiara. With more than a century of history, the jewel was given by Gustavo Adolfo to his fiancée Marguerite of Connaught, in 1905, and passed down from generation to generation until it reached the princess. The combination highlighted her Nordic features and reinforced Madeleine’s discreet but striking presence in the front row.

The event also brought a commitment to preserving family history. Several members of the House of Bernadotte reused archival robes, reinforcing the tradition, memory and continuity of the dynasty. The choice of historical pieces demonstrates the care taken to combine elegance, memory and durability, while preserving the royal heritage.

Although most of the family was present, Princess Sofia was noted to be absent. The Royal House justified this absence for family reasons.