Arco-Zinneberg Sapphire Earrings

Happy Birthday to Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg, the Princess Napoléon, who turns 35 today! The illustrious Countess, a descendent of the Habsburg, Savoys, and Wittelsbachs, married to the Head of the House of Bonaparte, Princess Napoléon wears an enormous Diamond Engagement ring from Empress Eugénie, which was dramatically stolen and recovered, and since we have already covered the Savoy-Aosta Choker/Bandeau Tiara, today gives us the perfect opportunity to feature the Arco-Zinneberg Sapphire Earrings! 

Savoy-Aosta Choker/Bandeau Tiara | Arco-Zinneberg Sapphire Earrings

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But first, lets learn about Princess Napoléon! The third daughter of the late Count Riprand von und zu Arco-Zinneberg and Archduchess Maria Beatrice of Austria-Este. Count Riprand was the son of Countess Maria Theresia von Preysing-Lichtenegg Moos, the granddaughter of King Ludwig III of Bavaria, and her second husband Count Ulrich-Philipp von und zu Arco-Zinneberg who bosses enormous estates in Bavaria and Austria, while Archduchess Maria Beatrice is the daughter of Archduke Robert of Austria, the son of Emperor Karl and Empress Zita of Austria, and Princess Margherita of Savoy-Aosta, daughter of Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, the 3rd Duke of Aosta and Princess Anne of Orléans. The third of six daughters, Countess Olympia grew up between the family seat at Schloss Moos and the Vysoky Chlumec Castle in the Czech Republic, while the family also owns the Palais Arco-Zinneberg in Munich.

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While studying political science at Yale University, she met Prince Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon during a semester studying abroad in Paris, with the couple marrying at the Cathedral Saint Louis des Invalides in Paris, in the presence of royal guests and relatives from around Europe. The Princess gave birth to a son, Prince Louis Charles Riprand Victor Jérôme Marie Napoléon in Paris last month. We wish Her Imperial Highness a very Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns! 

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Composed of a large sapphire set in an ornate diamond frame suspended from another diamond ringed sapphire, these earrings may be an heirloom of the Arco-Zinneberg Family or may originate from Princess Margherita, Archduchess of Austria-Este, first appearing on Archduchess Maria Beatrice of Austria-Este, the daughter of Archduke Robert of Austria and Princess Margherita of Savoy-Aosta, for Wedding to Count Riprand von und zu Arco-Zinneberg at Niederaltaich Abbey in Bavaria in 1980, when they were paired with the Austria-Este Tiara.

When Countess Anna Theresa von und zu Arco-Zinneberg, the eldest of the six daughters of Archduchess Maria Beatrice and Count Riprand, married Colin McKenzie in 2018, she wore the Sapphire and Diamond Earrings paired with the Savoy-Aosta Tiara on loan from her uncle, Prince Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este, later also wearing Empress Elisabeth’s Diamond Stars. 

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The following year, Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg wore the Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, with the Savoy-Aosta Choker/Bandeau Tiara, when she married Prince Napoléon at the Cathedral Saint Louis des Invalides in Paris, though one of the earrings fell out while the Prince and new Princess were driving away, but it reappeared by the time of the Ball at the Château de Fontainebleau.

More recently, Archduchess Maria Beatrice’s Sapphire and Diamond Earrings were worn by Countess Margherita von und zu Arco-Zinneberg with the Savoy-Aosta Tiara for her Wedding to Charles Green at Osterhofen Abbey in Bavaria last March. The fourth sister, Countess Maximiliana, announced her engagement last year and there is no doubt we will see these earrings worn at the wedding this year and for years to come! 

The Sapphire Earrings were also worn by Countess Maximiliana von und zu Arco-Zinneberg for her Wedding to Byron Houdayer in May 2023.

Savoy-Aosta Choker/Bandeau Tiara | Arco-Zinneberg Sapphire and Diamond Earrings

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