Posters of original research, analyses, insights etc retain all rights to their work.
Such research etc cannot be used in any format without the written consent of the author.
Princess Ileana’s Habsburg Diamond Tiara
Posted by The Royal Watcher on January 21, 2021, 1:49 pm
While she famously sold the Vladimir Sapphire Kokoshnik after arriving in the United States in Exile, it seems Princess Ileana of Romania retained her Habsburg Diamond Tiara and some other jewels through the 1950s and 60s, when it was worn by her daughter, Archduchess Alexandra. Princess Ileana wrote about the Tiara in her memoir ‘I Live Again’:
"I may as well begin by telling you frankly that a princess spends very little of her time wearing a diadem! Although the court functions at Bucharest were always dignified and beautiful, by the standards of some courts they were simple and sober ones. I myself wore the lovely sapphire and diamond tiara on only one state occasion, and that was at a large ball which the Legitimist Party gave in the Hofburg in Vienna, four years after I was married. I went to only one “court ball” in my life, and that was at my own wedding; but there I wore a much smaller diadem given me by my father-in-law. (It was, however, an appropriate one for the occasion when the title “Archduchess of Austria” had been added to my name, because the diadem had originally been a present from Napoleon to Maria Louisa, who was also an archduchess of Austria.)"
I've been waiting to publish my finds on the Tiara, HERE, on the 30th Anniversary of Princess Ileana's death today, but I am hoping you have more information about the Tiara and its current whereabouts. Since she incorrectly wrote some facts about the Sapphire Kokoshnik, I wonder if the provenance she listed is correct or some family legend.
The small diamond tiara is worn on the hip on the side follow the link, by Doña Blanca de Borbón, Infanta of Spain, her full name Doña Blanca de Castilla Maria de la Concepcion Teresa Francisca d'Assisi Margarita Juana Beatriz Carlota Luisa Fernanda Adelgunda Elvira Ildefonsa Regina Josefa Micaela Gabriela Rafaela de Borbón y Borbón (1868-1949) was a Spanish princess and by marriage Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany. It was also worn by Archduchess Blanca daughters, and later a gift to Princess Ileana.
I wasn't aware of the sad story of the famous Hortense Diadem, and it's just fascinating what happened to it. I saw that image of Doña Blanca but didn't think to look at her waist ornament.
Was the owner of the Tiara listed when it was exhibited in Vienna, or does it seem it has left the family?
I wasn't aware of the sad story of the famous Hortense Diadem, and it's just fascinating what happened to it. I saw that image of Doña Blanca but didn't think to look at her waist ornament.
Was the owner of the Tiara listed when it was exhibited in Vienna, or does it seem it has left the family?