the Belgian collection could have even been larger.
Princess Marie-Jose inherited from her paternal grandmother the countess of Flanders two tiaras: the Stephanie de Beauharnais pearl tiara that was first inherited by Marie's first cousin Carola Wasa before it came to Belgium. The second was a turquoise demi parure with a necklace that was converted to also act as a tiara.
Finally there was a diamond and ruby tiara owned by Queen Louise-Marie that seems to have ended up with Princess Clementine but no longer is with her descendants.
But indeed even with the pieces that were with Leopold III, his brother Charles and Fabiola the current Belgian royals would have had a much more interesting collection than the limited options Mathilde has currently.
I hope the announcement about princess Elisabeth's tiara and that it would remain in the family indicates they have begun something of a family collection or a family fund or trust.
It's difficult to say what Queen Paola will do with her Art Deco bandeau. I hope she'll leave it to the Duchess of Brabant as it would retain that historic piece worn by four Belgian queens (Elisabeth, Astrid, Paola and Mathilde) for the dynasty.
I would love to see an amethyst tiara or set added to the Belgian collection. The colour of the stones would work well with the purple of their main order and it's not as expensive as rubies, emeralds or sapphires.
Maybe Philippe and his cousin Henri could come to some agreement about the remnants of the emerald necklace/tiara. If it was sold back to the Belgians they would only have to add the emeralds.
I also wonder what happened to the big emerald brooch and drop that was worn by several ladies in the family but has not been seen in decades. Not on a Belgian Royal but also not in an auction.
Previous Message
Queen Marie Henriette. The excellent Christophe Vachaudez wrote in his book that she was the only Queen who asked that her jewels will go to the Future Royals but her husband King Leopold II refused.
Queen Elisabeth bought her tiaras and the famous Cartier tiara instead of going to Queen Fabiola went to King Leopold III and Princess Lilian. The tiara was sold by Princess Lilian and Cartier bought it.
Her daughter Queen Marie José took her jewels and most of them were sold. Princess Marie Gabrielle owns the tiara bandeau with a big stone on its top as necklace .
Prince Charles Count of Flanders received from his Parents the Leuchtenberg tiara, he gave to Queen Marie José and it has been sold
Queen Astrid had the Nine Provinces tiara,the Stockholm tiara, an emerald tiara she received as birth present for Prince Baudouin and the Deco tiara she received as birth Present for Prince Albert.
When she passed away , Princess Lilian received the jewels . She was not allowed to wear the Nine Province tiara but wore it separately. She wore the emerald tiara as necklace which is never seen anymore.
Queen Fabiola wore the Nine Province tiara for the first time, since 1935 on her Wedding Day.. She received a Spanish tiara and the belgian Nobility gave her the Wolfers tiara. Since she passed away the Spanish tiara is not seen anymore. But she gave the Wolfers tiara to Queen Mathilde.
Queen Paola received the Deco tiara from King Leopold III and two necklaces as wedding presents, she wore one as tiara. What will happen with the deco tiara ??
Recap
Queen Mathilde should have had the Cartier tiara, the Leuchtenberg tiara ,the emerald tiara and the Spanish tiara, but no as explained above . Sad, sad.
on August 25, 2023, 7:23 am
