In the past 15th May, HRH D.Duarte, Duke of Braganza (and titular Prince Royal of Portugal) celebrated another birthday. To commemorate I’m starting a thread about probably the most emblematic of the Braganza jewels: the D.Maria Francisca Diamond Bandeau tiara.
To be honest there is not much thing to say about this delicate jewel. Is was a favorite piece of the late Duchess and was the only tiara (as far as I know) that HRH wore. In my opinion is a very delicate and charming piece of jewelry.
But where did this tiara came from? D.Maria Francisca didn’t wore it until she was married so I guess we can exclude an Orleans-Braganza heirloom. A Braganza heirloom? I have serious doubts about it. A present from her husband? I do not believe.
The answer may be in the wedding: it may be a wedding present. But from who? Is it normal to offer tiaras, even if we are talking about some as small as this one? Maybe from her parents? But the Orleans-Braganza was not properly a rich family. Even today the Brazilian Imperial Family does not seem to possess any tiara.
We know that HM Queen Amelia accepted D.Maria Francisca’s invitation to be her Maid of Honour. This fact is very symbolic because D.Amelia, at the time, was the last surviving member of the reigning branch of the Braganza family. We also know that HM gave the couple at least one jewel as a present (a brooch). But was that the only present? There is a picture of HM that has been intriguing me for years.
Could it be the bandeau?
Does anyone have more informations? Hope you can help with this mystery.
Nevertheless this tiara clearly became a favorite jewel of HRH D.Isabel. I believe that the current Duchess of Braganza first wore this tiara at the 2004 Royal Danish wedding.
on May 17, 2014, 3:31 pm
