Queen Geraldine’s Ruby Earrings

Today marks the 110th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Geraldine of Albania, who was born on this day in 1915! The Hungarian Countess who became the first and last Queen of Albania, and spent the majority of her life in exile, Queen Geraldine possessed some splendid jewels, the which included her Ostier Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Earrings!

Diamond Goat Tiara | Sapphire Goat Tiara | Ruby Earrings

In 1938, King Zog of Albania lavished many glittering gifts on his bride, Countess Géraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, including these Marianne Ostier Art Deco Diamond and Ruby Earrings, described as

nearly four inches deep, consists of a cascade of diamonds fringed with gem rubies”

Queen Geraldine wore the Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Earrings with the Diamond Goat Tiara for a handful of occasions right after the wedding, including for a series of portraits and at the Albanian Independence Day Celebrations in 1938. The reign of King Zog lasted only for a year after the wedding, and just days after the Queen gave birth to a son, in April 1939, Mussolini invaded Albania, and the Royal Family went into exile.

In 1960, King Zog and Queen Geraldine sold the bulk of their jewellery collection at Ostier, which included the Diamond Goat Tiara, but the Ruby Earrings remained in her possession and were notably worn in Madrid in 1968.

A few years later, Queen Geraldine wore the Ostier Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Earrings for the Wedding of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia in 1976.

After Queen Geraldine’s death in 2002, the Ruby Earrings were inherited by her only grandson, Crown Prince Leka, and remained unworn by his wife, Crown Princess Elia, until a series of portraits released around 2017, when she paired the Ruby Earrings with the Sapphire Goat Tiara and Queen Susan’s Diamond Necklace, and were also worn for a Gala with Prince Albert of Monaco.

The Ruby Earrings were also paired with the Sapphire Goat Tiara and Queen Susan’s Diamond Necklace for another Official portrait in 2019. Following their divorce last year, we may not see the Ruby Earrings for a while, but they may be worn by baby Princess Geraldine in a few years!

Diamond Goat Tiara | Sapphire Goat Tiara | Ruby Earrings