Posted by Cristina on October 30, 2012, 5:41 am, in reply to "Christine Braganxa"
Indeed Joye, thank you for the picture.
It is indeed the late Duke and Duchess of Bragança, parents of the present Duke Dom Duarte Pio, she was born Dona Maria Francisca de Orleans-Bragança, princess of Brazil. Sadly she died still rather young, of heart faillure, in the late 1960's.
This picture is from the prewedding of Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia, in the famous staircase of Athens royal palace. The Duchess is wearing her favourite jewels, the diamond bandeau (I do prefer to call it bandeau rather than bracelet, as I never saw it worn as such), her diamond circles necklace, her long diamond earrings and diamond bracelet. This diamond bandeau is the only "tiara" I ever saw her wear.
The present Duchess Dona Isabel wears these jewels at gala events, with the exception of the diamond earrings that I never saw her wear.
The late Duchess also had in her possession a magnificent set of big aquamarines (necklace, earrings, ring), gifted to her on her wedding day, I am not sure if by brazilian authorities, I seem to recall they were presented to her by the first lady of Brazil. Dona Maria Francisca wore them along with the diamond bandeau at King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola's prewedding gala, I saw a tiny black and white picture on an old PoV magazine. The present Duchess rarely wears them, I think she would look spectacular if she had worn her aquamarines in the Luxembourg gala, but she seems to find them perhaps too ostentatious.
The late Duchess also used to wear a big diamond and emerald stomacher brooch, she was portraited wearing it. It is still in possession of the family, but Dona Isabel never wore it.
I never saw Dona Maria Francisca wear any of the jewels from Queen Amélia's inheritance, the diamond tiara (the Queen called it "the Dom Luís diadem" because it had been a wedding gift from her beloved father-in-law the King) and the diamond choker (Dona Isabel has worn this as choker and as a tiara). The diamond tiara is suposably part of the "House of Bragança Foundation", is at the Duchess's disposal but does not belong to the family's private possessions.
The Duchess has several other jewels: a diamond set with a rigid necklace that she wore twice as tiara, a diamond and pearl set, a small set with small pearls, an indian style gold set, a pearl and diamond leafs brooch from Infanta Filipa... I just wished she wore these jewels more often .
--Previous Message-- : Dear Cristina : Photo of late Duchess of Braganza wearing : bracelet tiara. : I assume this is the mother in law of : Isabel, current Duchess of Braganza : Anyhow fun to see royal ladies wearing the : same tiara the generations handing down : their jewels : : : : :
on October 30, 2012, 5:41 am, in reply to "
.