Today marks the 130th Anniversary of the Engagement of Tsar Nicholas II and Princess Alix of Hesse, who got engaged on this day in 1894, during the Wedding of her brother, Grand Duke Ernest Louis of Hesse, and his cousin, Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Among the spectacular Engagement Gifts received by the Hessian princess from the future Tsar was this Boucheron Pearl Coronet!
Royal Guests and Relatives from around the World joined the Savoy Royal Family for the Funeral of Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Naples at the Duomo Cathedral in Turin on February 10th. The Prince of Naples was the last Crown Prince of Italy was the Head of the House of Savoy and a disputed Pretender to the former Italian Throne.
Today marks the 115th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Ileana of Romania, who was born on this day in 1909! The Romanian Princess who married an Austrian Archduke and then had to flee both Austria and Romania to eventually settle in the United States, we have already talked about how Princess Ileana sold the magnificent Vladimir Sapphire Kokoshnik to fund her life in exile, but she retained her Diamond Scroll Tiara and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna’s Pearl Brooch!
Happy birthday to Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, who celebrates her 70th Birthday today! The fascinating claimant to the Headship of the House of Romanov and the titular Empress of Russia, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna has worn several striking jewels, the most spectacular of which was her Chaumet Tiara!
Today marks the 170th Anniversary of the Birth of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha and Edinburgh, who was born on this day in 1853! The imperious Romanov Grand Duchess who became Queen Victoria’s daughter-in-law and the Consort of a Sovereign German Duke, the Tsar’s only daughter came to England with a spectacular jewellery collection which became the source of family strife!
Today marks the 95th Anniversary of the Death of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, who passed away on this day in 1928! The Danish Princess who married the Russian Tsar and became the mother of the tragic last Tsar, the Empress possessed a spectacular collection of jewels, with one of the most iconic pieces being her Sapphire and Pearl Brooch!
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.
Today marks the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Xenia Georgievna of Russia, who was born on this day in 1903! The illustrious Russian Princess who married an American Millionaire, Princess Xenia possessed a spectacular Romance Heirloom: The Vladimir Ruby Kokoshnik!
Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia, who was born not his day in 1872! Queen Victoria’s Hessen Granddaughter who became the tragic last Empress of Russia, the Tsarina possessed a splendid personal jewellery collection as well as a spectacular collection of jewels from the Imperial Vaults, which included Tsarina Elizabeth Alexeievna’s Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara!
Today marks the 180th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, who was born on this day in 1843! The fascinating second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who married the Grand Duke of Hesse and became a prolific champion of nursing until her tragic death, Princess Alice was the mother of, among others, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia, and her splendid Jewellery Collection included this spectacular Emerald Brooch!
