The triple crown – that oversized, turban-shaped, jewel-encrusted, gold-and-silver helmet – traditionally epitomised the pope’s power as God’s representative on earth. After his coronation in 1963 Paul VI declared this piece of historic headgear unsuitable to Peter’s pastoral mission. It has not been worn since, not even by the traditionally-minded Benedict XVI. The tiara has become a sort of papal relic; progressive Catholics regard it as outmoded and outdated, and it makes them cringe.
Several tiaras nevertheless grace the Vatican’s collections, and can be gawped at from time to time. The “Spanish Tiara”, a gift from Isabella II of Spain, dates from 1855. The “Belgian” was donated by the ladies of Leopold II’s court in 1871. The “Palatine” was a present from the members of the Palatine Guard in 1877; the “Paris” came from the Catholics of France in 1888, while the “Austrian” was given by the Emperor Franz Joseph in 1894.
