The fascinating story of the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure and how it ended up in Sweden

In the world of royal jewelry, few parures can rival the timeless elegance and historical significance of the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure. 

This exquisite set of sapphire and diamond jewels has graced the necks, ears, and wrists of several prominent European queens and princesses over the centuries. Its journey through various royal families and the captivating stories surrounding it make the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure a captivating chapter in the history of regal adornments.

Origins of the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure

The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure owes its name to its first known owner, Princess Augusta of Bavaria, Duchess of Leuchtenberg, who married Eugène de Beauharnais, the son of Empress Josephine and stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte. The parure was crafted in the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic era, most probably by the renowned French jeweler Marie-Etienne Nitot, who later became Chaumet.

Components of the Parure

The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure comprises a set of stunning sapphire and diamond jewelry pieces, each exuding opulence and refinement:

• The Tiara: This magnificent tiara features a delicate design of sapphires and diamonds, set in a series of intricate floral motifs. The tiara is very flexible and is stored flat which makes it easy to travel with. Because of its flexibility the tiara can be worn in a wider, more open shape or closed circular form. In existing portraits of Queen Josefina she can be seen wearing the tiara with pearl toppers instead of the sapphires. Unfortunately it is no longer possible to switch out the sapphires but the original pearls exist to this day and are used as earrings. Queen Silvia of Sweden said that because of its flexibility the tiara is easy to store and travel with. “The others take up much more space when traveling”. Because of its flexibility the tiara can take on different shapes when it is worn, making it easy to use, as confirmed by Queen Silvia. “One wears it with a lot of respect, with warmth and admiration. Both for the fine craftsmanship but also for those who have worn it before.”

Queen Silvia wearing the Leuchtenberg Sapphire parure

• The Necklace: The parure includes a captivating sapphire and diamond necklace. Its striking centerpiece showcases a stunning sapphire, encircled by diamonds and set in an ornate, scrolling pattern.
• Earrings: The earrings are a perfect match for the necklace, with sapphires and diamonds arranged in a harmonious design, hanging gracefully from the earlobes. However the earrings that belong to the current parure are not the original earrings. They are believed to have gotten lost during Queen Victorias tenure as she was no fan of wearing earrings and therefore had no use for them. Queen Louise had two of the four original hair ornaments changed into earrings and these earrings belong to and are used with the parure today.
• Brooch and hairpins: Complementing the tiara, necklace, and earrings are a pair of sapphire and diamond brooch and hairpins, which allows for versatile styling.

Queen Silvia wearing the Leuchtenberg Sapphire parure and hairpins belonging to the parure

Recent research suggests that the Leuchtenberg sapphire parure originally belonged to Princess Augusta of Bavaria, who later became duchess of Leuchtenberg. Princess Augusta married Eugène de Beauharnais and their daughter, Josephine married Prince Oscar of Sweden who later became Oscar I, king of Sweden, the second monarch of the house of Bernadotte. 

In a letter, which Augusta wrote to her brother on 23 February 1811 she wrote that she had received “extraordinary, wonderful gifts” for the birth of her son. This is believed to be August who was born 9 December 1810. Augusta wrote that “the empress (Empress Josephine) sent to me a set in sapphires and diamonds”.

When Josephine married Oscar of Sweden in 1823 she is believed to have received the sapphire parure as a wedding gift from her mother. 

Currently the entire Leuchtenberg Sapphire parure belongs to the Bernadottte family foundation which makes it impossible to give away or sell items from the parure. This also makes it possible for members of the Swedish royal family to borrow and use items from the parure for certain occasions.