Queen Louise’s Sapphire Spray Brooch

Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Queen Louise of Sweden, who died on this day in 1965! The Battenberg Princess that became a Lady and then married the widower future King of Sweden, despite frequently declaring that she would ‘never marry a king or a widower’, Queen Louise not only possessed the magnificent Swedish Royal Jewels, but also had a substantial personal collection, including this splendid Sapphire Spray Brooch!

Swedish Royal Tiaras | Swedish Pink Topaz Parure | Hesse Emerald Brooch | Sapphire Spray Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Seed Pearl Brooch

Consisting of sapphires set into a diamond floral corsage brooch, the provenance of the Sapphire Spray Brooch is unknown, but it could be either a new acquisition around the time of the Accession of King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden in 1950 or like the Hesse Emerald Brooch, it could also have been a Battenberg Heirloom. 

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Queen Louise began wearing the Brooch in the early 1950s usually with the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Tiara and Parure, for a variety of portraits and also for Gala occasions, including the Swedish State Visit to Denmark in 1952. The Brooch was also worn for a Dinner with Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Swedish Embassy in London.

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Queen Louise continued to wear the Sapphire Spray Brooch for Gala Events through the the 1950s and 1960s, including for a Gala Performance at the Drottningholm Palace Theatre in Stockholm and at the Swedish Opening of Parliament in 1956 and in 1962.

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After Queen Louise’s death in 1965, the Sapphire Spray was supposedly inherited by her nieces, Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten and Lady Pamela Hicks, who reportedly sold it at aution. UPDATE: Thanks to Greek Royal Jewels, it has been revealed that the Sapphire Spray Brooch was inherited by Princess Margaretha of Sweden, who notably wore it for the Wedding of Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1966. The current location of the Sapphire Spray Brooch is unknown, though it is likely in Princess Margaretha’s possession. Her Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara now resides in Stockholm and is regularly worn by members of the family, so lets hope the Sapphire Spray Brooch makes its way there too!

Swedish Royal Tiaras | Swedish Pink Topaz Parure | Hesse Emerald Brooch | Sapphire Spray Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Seed Pearl Brooch

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One thought on “Queen Louise’s Sapphire Spray Brooch

  1. As King Carl XVI Gustaf has supposedly in the past bought back historical pieces once belonging to the main line of the Bernadotte family, maybe this wonderful piece would find its way back to the main line too. I do hope so as it goes so well with the grand Sapphire parure!

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