Today marks the 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Grand Duchess Hilda of Baden, who was born on this day in 1864! The daughter of Grand Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg and Princess Adelheid-Marie of Anhalt-Dessau, Princess Hilda became the last Grand Duchess of Baden, and to mark the Anniversary, we are featuring the Baden Emerald Necklace!
Diamond Tiara | Diamond Floral Tiara | Baden Emerald Necklace
The exact origin of this striking Emerald and Diamond Necklace is unknown, but it may be a Wedding Gift to Princess Louise of Prussia when she married Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden in 1856. Grand Duchess Louise notably wore the Emerald Necklace with her Diamond Floral Tiara and an accompanying corsage brooch for some of her most iconic Official Portraits
The Emerald Necklace was worn by Grand Duchess Hilda with her Diamond Floral Tiara for an Official Portrait in the 1900s after becoming the Grand Duchess of Baden. While her Diamond Floral Tiara was inherited by her niece, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her Diamond Tiara was left to Crown Princess Antonia of Bavaria, the Emerald Necklace remained an heirloom of the Baden Royal Family.
The Emerald Necklace and Corsage Brooch was last seen in 1962, when Princess Theodora, Margravine of Baden wore it for the Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece in Athens. While the Royal Family regularly continue to wear heirloom jewels like the Baden Sunburst Tiara and Baden Ruby Tiara, the ultimate fate of the Emerald Necklace is unknown.
Diamond Tiara | Diamond Floral Tiara | Baden Emerald Necklace
