Today marks the 210th Anniversary of the Death of Empress Joséphine of the French, who passed away on this day in 1814! The legendary French Empress had a spectacular Jewellery Collection, and while it is unlikely that anything more than a portion of this Diamond Tiara was worn by the legendary Empress Joséphine for her Coronation, it was loaned by Van Cleef & Arpels to several Royal Ladies in recent decades!
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden are hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, on their State Visit to Sweden on January 30-31, to further strengthen and promote the long-standing, broad and excellent relations between Sweden and France, while stimulating in-depth collaborations in areas such as innovation and green transition as well as defense and security.
Today marks the 120th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, who passed away on this day in 1904! The Napoleonic Princess who was the first cousin and former fiancé of Emperor Napoleon III, married a Russian Prince and was a prominent Salonnière during the Second Empire, Princess Mathilde possessed a legendary jewellery collection, the most iconic piece of which was her Diamond Rose Brooch!
Happy Birthday to the Princess Claude of Orléans, who turns 80 today! The ninth child and fifth daughter of the Count of Paris, the controversial Head of the French Royal House, and the always-elegant Princess Isabelle, who married and then divorced Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, a Pretender to the Italian Throne. Princess Claude has worn some spectacular jewels throughout her life, being one of the more significant her Turquoise Suite, which we are featuring today!
Happy Birthday to Princess Anne, Duchess of Calabria, who turns 85 today! The Orléans Princess who married the Head of the Royal House of the Bourbon-Two Sicilies and became a member of the extended Spanish Royal Family, Princess Anne came from a Royal Family with an impressive jewellery collection, and married into one with an even more historic collection of jewels, yet the Coty Emerald Tiara was the most significant jewel worn by Princess Anne!
Last week, Heirloom Jewels from the Orléans Royal Family and the Bourbon Parma Royal Family were loaned to Royal and Noble Débutantes for Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, with the spectacular Orléans-Braganza Diamond Tiara appearing on the head of Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess of Hungary!
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands inaugurated the ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ Exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratif in Paris on the evening of November 28th, ahead of attending the ‘Viviane Sassen – Phosphor: Art & Fashion’ at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie tomorrow.
Following the Wedding of Infanta Maria Francisca de Bragança and Duarte de Sousa Araújo Martins at the Basílica Palácio de Mafra, the Duke and Duchess of Braganza hosted a Gala Dinner in the grounds of their House in São Pedro de Sintra on the evening of October 7th, following a Reception held inside the Palácio de Mafra.
Infanta Maria Francisca de Bragança, Duchess of Coimbra, the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza, married Duarte de Sousa Araújo Martins at the Basílica Palácio de Mafra inside the Palácio Nacional de Mafra on October 7th, which is the first Portuguese Royal Wedding in over a quarter of a century. The Wedding was followed by a Gala Dinner hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Braganza in the grounds of their House in São Pedro de Sintra.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are undertaking a State Visit to France this week, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd September 2023 at the invitation of President Macron. Originally scheduled for March, the visit was delayed due to political riots in Paris, though the King and Queen did continue the State Visit to Germany as planed.
Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Madame, The Countess of Paris, who was born on this day in 1911! The French-born Brazilian Princess who was the Consort of the Head of the House of Orléans for over sixty years and the mother of eleven illustriously married children, the Countess possessed some spectacular heirlooms, but later loaned some splendid jewels, which included the Chaumet Curvilinear Tiara!
Last week, it was revealed that several Jewels from the Estate of the late Countess of Paris are going on Auction in Paris, the highlight of which is the Orléans Diamond Comb, the versatile two-centuries old Heirloom from the Princess of Joinville which was one of the last remaining Orléans Heirlooms.
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Madame, The Countess of Paris, who passed away on this day in 2003! The French-born Brazilian Princess who was the Consort of the Head of the House of Orléans for over sixty years and the mother of eleven illustriously married children, the Countess possessed some spectacular heirlooms, which included the Orléans Sapphire and Pearl Tiara!
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!
Royal and Noble Debutantes from around the world attended Le Bal des Débutantes at the Shangri La Hotel in Paris on November 26th. The annual charity event launched prominent young women into society, and raises funds for Enfants d’Asie, an organization which provides education for girls in Southeast Asia, and Seleni, a non-profit organisation that finances research in healthcare for adolescent mothers.
Today marks the 105th Anniversary of the Birth of the late Infanta Alicia, Duchess of Calabria, who was born on this day in 1917! The daughter of the Duke of Parma and Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria who married the Duke of Calabria and became the aunt of King Juan Carlos of Spain, Infanta Alicia possessed an absolutely spectacular collection of Heirloom Jewels, the highlight of which was Queen Marie Antoinette’s Pearl Necklace!
Foreign Royal Guests and Relatives and Heads of State and Representatives of 121 Countries joined the British Royal Family for the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19th, followed by a Procession to Marble Arch and a Committal Service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The late Queen, who passed away at Balmoral Castle earlier this month, had been Lying-in-State first at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh and then at Westminster Hall in London for the past week.
