Belgian Tiara
Encyclopedia
The Belgian Tiara is one of the most unusual Papal Tiara
s in existence, largely due to its design.
The Tiara was donated by the Ladies of the Royal Court of the King of the Belgians on June 18, 1871 to Pope Pius IX
(Pio Nono). Though the reason for its submission is not known, its donation may have been an act of support from the fiercely Catholic
Belgian Court following Pope Pius's loss of the Papal States
one year earlier, in 1870.
The unique tiara was designed by Jean-Baptiste Bethune
of Ghent
. While following the traditional cone shape of papal tiaras, its upright golden crowns create an external shape that differs from most tiaras. Unlike most tiaras it also contained writing, with the words CHRISTI VICARIO — IN TERRA — REGUM spread over the three crowns.
It is not known if this unique tiara in the Papal Collection was ever actually worn. Pius IX received six tiaras during his reign. By the 1870s his declining health led him to opt for lightweight tiaras; he had one made for himself later that decade. Later popes received many other tiaras, while no pope has worn a papal tiara since June 1963, when Pope Paul VI
abandoned wearing his own tiara.
Papal Tiara
The Papal Tiara, also known incorrectly as the Triple Tiara, or in Latin as the Triregnum, in Italian as the Triregno and as the Trirègne in French, is the three-tiered jewelled papal crown, supposedly of Byzantine and Persian origin, that is a prominent symbol of the papacy...
s in existence, largely due to its design.
The Tiara was donated by the Ladies of the Royal Court of the King of the Belgians on June 18, 1871 to Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
(Pio Nono). Though the reason for its submission is not known, its donation may have been an act of support from the fiercely Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Belgian Court following Pope Pius's loss of the Papal States
Papal States
The Papal State, State of the Church, or Pontifical States were among the major historical states of Italy from roughly the 6th century until the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia .The Papal States comprised territories under...
one year earlier, in 1870.
The unique tiara was designed by Jean-Baptiste Bethune
Jean-Baptiste Bethune (architect)
Jean-Baptiste Bethune was a Belgian architect, artisan and designer who played a pivotal role in the Belgian and Catholic Gothic Revival movement. He was called by some the "Pugin of Belgium".-Life:...
of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
. While following the traditional cone shape of papal tiaras, its upright golden crowns create an external shape that differs from most tiaras. Unlike most tiaras it also contained writing, with the words CHRISTI VICARIO — IN TERRA — REGUM spread over the three crowns.
It is not known if this unique tiara in the Papal Collection was ever actually worn. Pius IX received six tiaras during his reign. By the 1870s his declining health led him to opt for lightweight tiaras; he had one made for himself later that decade. Later popes received many other tiaras, while no pope has worn a papal tiara since June 1963, when Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
abandoned wearing his own tiara.
