Royal Jewels

The Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara

The Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara began its life as a different jewel. King William III of the Netherlands purchased the choker with diamonds and sapphires for his second wife, Queen Emma. After several additions and adjustments, the necklace was mounted as a tiara in the 21st century. The new tiara was topped by five lozenge-shaped [read more]
Charlotte of Prussia

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Charlotte of Prussia: “Crushed hopes” (Part six)

Read part five here. Once back in Russia, the focus returned to the upcoming nuptials of Charlotte’s eldest son, Alexander, and Marie of Hesse and by Rhine. On 12 December 1840, Marie was accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church with the name Maria Alexandrovna. She and Alexander could now be officially betrothed. The wedding took [read more]
Charlotte of Prussia

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Charlotte of Prussia: “A quiet melancholy” (Part five)

Read part four here. The Austrian diplomat Karl Ludwig von Ficquelmont and his wife, Dolli, were invited to the Peterhof. Dolli later wrote, “But there, too, was Sophie Urusova, this enigmatic figure, with her dazzling white and dispassionate beauty, at the sight of which the Empress’s friends’ hearts ached, and who occupied a place in [read more]
Book News

Book News Week 30

*contains affiliate links* Book News Week 30 – 20 July – 26 July 2026 Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Crafting (Lives of Royal Women)  Paperback – 23 July 2026 (US & UK) Barbarian Queens and the Conversion of Europe  Paperback – 23 July 2026 (US & UK) The Women Who Clothed the Stuart Queens: [read more]