Headdress from the orange blossom parure

One of the first gifts Prince Albert sent to his fiancée in November 1839 was a gold and porcelain brooch in the form of a sprig of orange blossom. Orange blossom had long been associated with betrothal in both England and Germany. At her wedding, Victoria wore sprays of real orange blossom in her hair and on her bodice. Prince Albert continued to give his wife orange blossom jewellery including another brooch and matching earrings in December 1845 and a headdress on their anniversary in February 1846. The headdress incorporates four small green enamel oranges, intended to represent their four eldest children – Victoria, Albert Edward, Alice and Alfred.