The Queen of the Belgians could have worn the Empress Josephine tiara (Fabergé 1895)Archived Message
Posted by Marie-Olivia on February 3, 2012, 6:03 am
King Albert I of the belgians purchased this tiara after the First World War in Switzerland through the jeweller Seiler(Vervay). It comes from the Collection of the Dukes of Leuchtenberg.
The King must have said this tiara is for his second son Prince Charles Theodor Count of Flanders (1903-1983). We never saw Queen Elisabeth, Astrid , Fabiola or even Princess Lilian wearing.
The Count of Flanders kept his tiara until is death. . In Belgium history pages and pages are written about the bad and terrible relationship between the 2 brothers after Queen Asrid’s death.
Prince Charles wanted to mary a Noble Belgian Lady . His brother said no she is not a RH. But the King married his Children’s Governess who was a commoner. Later when Charles became Regent between 1945 and 1950 and after , the relationship between Charles towards his mother and his brother was that bad that the Count of Flanders never attend royal events anymore . No show up for Queen Elisabeth 80th Birthday, for Queen Elisabeth’s funerals, for his Niece and Nephews wedding.
The 2 Brothers died the same year 1983. Charles died the first and his brother Leopold III did not attend his Funerals.
Only In 1983 his Sister Queen Marie José inherited this huge tiara. She was then 77 years old and thus never wore it in public.
Charles did not want to give this tiara to the main Branch and the heir of the Tiara Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoie did not live it to the belgian Royal House either and the tiara was auctioned by Christies on June 13, 2007.