Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Anne of Romania, who passed away on this day in 2016! The Bourbon-Parma Princess who became the last Queen of Romania and spent decades of her life in exile, Queen Anne inherited Princess Viggo’s Sapphire Necklace!
Romanian Greek Key Tiara | Diamond Spike Tiara | Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara | Pearl Earrings | Sapphire Necklace | Diamond Sautoir | Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
The exact origin of the Tiara is unknown, but like all of her jewels, it was personally acquired by Princess Viggo of Denmark, a wealthy American Heiress. The Necklace also has a coordinating Sapphire and Diamond Brooch.
Princess Viggo wore her Sapphire and Diamond Necklace with her Diamond Spike Tiara for a Return Banquet on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during the British State Visit to Denmark in 1957.
Princess Viggo may have also worn the Sapphire Necklace with her Diamond Fringe Tiara for the Wedding Ball of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark at the Royal Palace of Athens in 1964.
After the childless Princess Viggo’s death in 1966, her Jewels were divided between several family members. Her Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara and Moonstone Tiara went to her nephew, Count Flemming of Rosenborg to be worn by his wife Countess Ruth, while a Diamond Scroll Tiara and her Diamond Fringe Tiara was inherited by his brother, Prince George. A Diamond Spike Tiara was inherited by another nephew, Count Christian of Rosenborg, while this Sapphire Necklace was left to another niece, Queen Anne of Romania.
Queen Anne mentioned the fact that her sapphires had been inherited from a Danish Aunt during a photo session that we organized with her for Point de Vue ages ago.
She came to the studio with a sort of pouch in which she had put some jewels she thought might be nice for the photo session. The sapphire necklace was there and one of the person present asked her about the provenance of that piece. She answered it was a legacy from a Danish Aunt.
Queen Anne wore Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace with the Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara and Pearl Earrings for the Wedding Ball of Princess Caroline of Monaco and Philippe Junot in 1978.
Crown Princess Margareta borrowed Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for a Debutante Ball in Geneva in 1986.
Queen Anne also the Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for the 50th Birthday of King Constantine II of Greece at Spencer House in London in 1990 as well as for Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1992.
While Queen Anne was rarely pictured wearing most jewels, she notably wore Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace on numerous occasions, among them the Wedding of Infanta Elena of Spain in 1995 and also the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1997.
Shortly Queen Anne’s passing in 2016, Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace was inherited by Crown Princess Margareta who wore it at a Reception for King Michael’s 95th Birthday two months later.
Just a few weeks later, Crown Princess Margareta wore the Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for a Diplomatic Reception at the Royal Palace of Bucharest, though lets hope we see this heirloom worn again soon!
Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara
