Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, who passed away on this day in 2005! The Belgian Princess who became the consort of the world’s only Grand Duchy, to mark the anniversary, we are featuring her Sapphire Necklace Tiara!
Belgian Scroll Tiara | Chaumet Emerald Tiara | Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara | Chaumet Choker Tiara | Diamond Floral Tiara | Emerald Peacock Tiara | Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara | Diamond Earrings | Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Suite | Floral Diamond Necklace | Sapphire Necklace Tiara | Sapphire Bracelet Tiara | Art Deco Sapphire Necklace | Luxembourg Royal Tiaras
Composed of large pear-shaped diamonds and smaller sapphires, the piece has a relatively contemporary design, but the stones are thought to originate from Grand Duchess Hilda of Baden, who left some of her jewels to Grand Duchess Charlotte.
The Sapphire and Diamond Necklace was first pictured on Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte in the 1970s, being paired with the Sapphire Bracelet Tiara for the Wedding Gala of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 1976.
The following year, the Sapphire Necklace was worn as a Tiara during a State Visit to Germany.
The Sapphire and Diamond Necklace was also worn with the Sapphire Bracelet Tiara for a State Visit from Spain in 1980.
The following year, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte wore only the upper portion of the Sapphire Necklace for the Wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral.
In the late 1980s, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte wore the Sapphire Necklace for a series of portraits, this time paired with her Art Deco Sapphire Tiara.
In 1992, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte wore the Sapphire Necklace with the Belgian Scroll Tiara for Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary Banquet.
After Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s death, the Sapphire and Diamond Necklace was worn by Grand Duchess Maria Theresa, paired with the Chaumet Pearl and Diamond Choker Tiara.
Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s Sapphire Necklace was also worn with the Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara for the Wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011.
In recent years, Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace has been primarily worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, who paired with the Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara for King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 80th Birthday Banquet in 2017.
The following year, the Sapphire Necklace was worn with the Chaumet Choker Tiara for the Dutch State Visit in 2018.
More recently, Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s Sapphire Necklace reappeared as a Tiara, worn by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at the New Year’s Reception in 2020. There is no doubt we will see the Necklace Tiara worn again soon!
Belgian Scroll Tiara | Chaumet Emerald Tiara | Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara | Chaumet Choker Tiara | Diamond Floral Tiara | Emerald Peacock Tiara | Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara | Diamond Earrings | Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Suite | Floral Diamond Necklace | Sapphire Necklace Tiara | Sapphire Bracelet Tiara | Art Deco Sapphire Necklace | Princess Ingeborg’s Pearl Brooch | Pearl Negligee Brooch | Antique Emerald Earrings | Luxembourg Royal Tiaras
Belgian Scroll Tiara
Chaumet Emerald Tiara
Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara
Chaumet Choker Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Emerald Peacock Tiara
Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara
Diamond Earrings
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Suite
Floral Diamond Necklace
Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Sapphire Bracelet Tiara
Art Deco Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Princess Ingeborg’s Pearl Brooch
Pearl Negligee Brooch
Antique Emerald Earrings
Luxembourg Royal Tiaras
Scrumptious as a necklace, with beautiful stones, but rather spiky and underwhelming as a tiara. Necklace and bracelet tiaras can work with the right other jewels and hairstyle, but this one fails, for me.
What jewels of Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s were sold after her death?