https://royalwatcherblog.com/2025/10/19/french-crown-jewels-stolen-from-the-louvre/
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The robbery of Royal Jewels from the Louvre is a tragedy for France, one I am trying to make
sense of for myself. Why were such treasures in public display to begin with? Here we touch on
the very Republican nature of French society. If some English Royal Jewels might be worn - even
today - on ceremonial occasions, that would be impossible in France. Indeed, the current First
Lady of France -Brigitte Macron - is very restained on jewels, wearing her wedding ring and small
modern earrings at most.
All the pieces taken date from the 19th Century. I have asked Copilot to explain the 'broche
reliquaire" and added an overview of French heads of State in the 19th Century. It comes down
to alternates between Bourbons (attempts at monarchical restoration) and
Bonapartes (Napoleon and his family claiming military-based supremacy) until the Third Republic
in 1870 engages France on the path of purely elected government...
Copilot:
Royal jewels of the French crown; what is the 'broche reliquaire'?
The broche reliquaire of the French Crown Jewels is a historically significant and exquisitely crafted piece that belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Here's what makes it remarkable:
🏛️ Historical Significance
Though called a reliquary brooch, it did not contain actual relics, but was designed to hold them—symbolizing a blend of religious tradition and imperial prestige.
It was part of the Diamants de la Couronne, the official Crown Jewels of France, and represented the continuity of royal heritage across centuries.
💎 Design and Craftsmanship
Created in 1855 by Alfred Bapst, a renowned Parisian jeweler.
Measures 17.5 cm high and 4.6 cm wide, making it unusually large for a brooch.
Adorned with 94 diamonds, including:
A central rosace of seven diamonds surrounding a solitaire.
Two prominent diamonds at the top, identified as the 17th and 18th Mazarins, originally gifted by Cardinal Mazarin to Louis XIV.
🧵 Symbolic Legacy
Empress Eugénie cherished this brooch deeply, partly because it contained diamonds linked to Marie-Antoinette, whom she admired.
The brooch encapsulates over two centuries of French royal history, passing through monarchs and empires.
Sadly, this brooch was among the eight jewels stolen from the Louvre in October 2025. Its loss is considered irreplaceable, not just for its material value but for its cultural and historical resonance.
Would you like to explore the other stolen pieces or trace the journey of the Mazarins diamonds through French history?
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