Since the first Rose Queen graced the flower-bedecked float that carried her along the Rose Parade route on Jan. 2, 1905 (the first was a Sunday), there have been different crowns for different eras. Some of the early queens did not have crowns, and wore garlands or hats instead. The Pasadena Museum of History has several on display in its “Royals of Pasadena” exhibit, now through Feb. 11, 2018.
A special crown was created exclusively for the 50th Rose Queen, but the Tournament of Roses tells us that the 100th Rose Queen will continue to wear the Mikimoto pearl crown. A couple of Tournament members, one formerly the chair of the Queen & Court Committee, noted how heavy this crown is. “Did you see how Tori’s head went back?” one asked, recalling Queen Victoria’s coronation last fall. She had to stand very straight to keep it balanced.
Click through the photos for descriptions of each crown, including who wore it. Do you have a favorite? Use the comments to give your opinion. We would also love to hear from Rose Queens about the crowns they wore! Unless otherwise credited, photos are by Joann Wilborn/Marlyn Woo and are copyrighted.
Suite of brooches and bracelets from a Rose Queen crown, circa 1939, Rhinestones and gilt metal. During the 1930s, crowns were designed to be broken apart into brooches and bracelets, which were distributed to the members of the Royal Court after the Rose Parade.
1936-1953 Rose Queen crown, Silver metal set with rhinestones. The first Queen to wear this crown was likely Barbara Nichols, though photos of her wearing the crown don’t quite match it. The last Queen was Leah Feland.
1954-1967 Rose Queen crown, Silver metal set with rhinestones. Barbara Schmidt was the first Queen to don this ornate crown, and Barbara Hewitt was the last.
1968 Rose Queen Crown, Silver metal set with crystal rhinestones. This crown was designed for the 50th Rose Queen, Linda Strother, and was worn only once.
1969-1986 Rose Queen Crown. No information on this delicate crown, worn by Aimee Richelieu in 1986. The first Queen to wear it was Pamela Anicich. It is the first one to feature roses. Photo from Pinterest.
1987-1992 Rose Queen Crown, Silver metal set with crystal rhinestones. The first Queen to wear it was Kristin Harris, and Tannis Turrentine was the last. Today, I think this one is my favorite.
1993-2004 Rose Queen Crown, Francois, Troy and Company created this wrought silver set with crystal rhinestones. A replica was on the Macy’s Royal Court float from 2008 to 2011. Liana Yamasaki wore it first and Megan Chinen wore it last.
2005-2017 Rose Queen Crown by Mikimoto. The Mikimoto crown, the first to feature pearls, has more than 600 cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds. It is possibly the first to use precious gems rather than costume jewels. The first Queen to wear it was Ashley Moreno and the most recent is Victoria Castellanos. Photo by LB Monteros.
2011 Rose Queen Crown. No information is available, and it seems this crown was worn only once, by Queen Evanne Friedman. The beautiful filigree is being placed by Pres. Jeffrey Throop. Photo by LB Monteros.
6 thoughts on “Crowning the Rose Parade Queens: Photo gallery”
The crown from 1987-1992 was made with rhodium, I was told, because it was much lighter than the preceding crown, which weighed about 5 pounds.
Thank you, Julie! That was the crown you wore, correct?
The exhibit is open to february 2018, i assume.
Thanks for the catch! I will edit it right now. Not all these crowns are on display, but the ones that are and the gowns and memorabilia are especially worth seeing.
The Rose Queen crown that was worn in 2011 was made I think because the tournament did not renew their contract with Mikimoto until the 2012 year. The 2011 crown was designed by a couple ( do not remember their name) I have seen it worn a few times by some queens when they made appearances during their reign when the pearl crown was worn cor the parade.
The crown from 1987-1992 was made with rhodium, I was told, because it was much lighter than the preceding crown, which weighed about 5 pounds.
Thank you, Julie! That was the crown you wore, correct?
The exhibit is open to february 2018, i assume.
Thanks for the catch! I will edit it right now. Not all these crowns are on display, but the ones that are and the gowns and memorabilia are especially worth seeing.
The Rose Queen crown that was worn in 2011 was made I think because the tournament did not renew their contract with Mikimoto until the 2012 year. The 2011 crown was designed by a couple ( do not remember their name) I have seen it worn a few times by some queens when they made appearances during their reign when the pearl crown was worn cor the parade.
Thanks, Linda!