Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of the late Princess Gina of Liechtenstein, who passed away on this day in 1989! The Austrian Countess who was the beloved Princess Consort of the small Alpine Principality for much of the tumultuous 20th century, we are featuring Princess Gina’s trademark Sapphire Suite!

Habsburg Fringe Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Diamond Earrings | Diamond Choker

Comprising a striking antique Sapphire and Diamond Necklace set with faceted sapphires, a pair of Diamond Chandelier Earrings with a large faceted sapphire, and a large Corsage Brooch set with more faceted sapphires, the Suite is of unknown provenance but may originate from Infanta Maria Theresa, Archduchess Karl Ludwig of Austria, the grandmother of Prince Franz Joseph II.

Princess Gina began wearing the antique Sapphire and Diamond Suite in the 1950s and it soon became one of her trademark jewels, often being worn with the Habsburg Fringe Tiara for portraits and galas.

Over the years, Princess Gina wore her Sapphire and Diamond Suite on numerous occasions, including the Wedding Gala of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sofia of Greece in 1962 and the Wedding of King Constantine of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in 1964.

In 1967, Princess Gina notably wore her Sapphire and Diamond Suite at the Wedding of her eldest son, Prince Hans-Adam and Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.

Princess Gina also paired the large Brooch of the Sapphire Suite with the Habsburg Fringe Tiara for the Banquet marking 2,500 years of the Persian Empire in Persepolis in 1971.

Princess Gina continued to wear her Sapphire and Diamond Suite into her later years, with one of the last notable appearances at Prince Franz Joseph’s 80th Birthday in 1986.

After Princess Gina’s death 35 years ago, her Sapphire and Diamond Suite was inherited by her eldest son, Prince Hans Adam, and his wife, Princess Marie, who only wore the Sapphire Suit for a Gala held ahead of the Wedding of her eldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois, and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, at Schloss Vaduz in 1993. Let’s hope this striking jewel makes another appearance soon!

Habsburg Fringe Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Diamond Earrings | Diamond Choker

Habsburg Fringe Tiara