Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Death of Archduchess Regina von Habsburg, who passed away on this day in 2010! The Saxe-Meiningen Princess who worked as a Social Worker before marrying the distinguished Head of the illustrious House of Habsburg, Archduchess Regina possessed the magnificent Habsburg Pearl Bandeau!
Empress Zita’s Diamond Tiara | Habsburg Pearl Bandeau | Diamond Necklace
The antique bandeau composed of pearls set within diamonds, the Tiara is reputed to have been once owned by Empress ‘Sissi’ of Austria, but a similar bandeau was once worn by Princess Adelheid of Prussia, née Saxe-Meiningen (h/t to Stefan), an aunt of Archduchess Regina.
Archduchess Regina notably wore the Pearl Bandeau at the Wedding Ball of Countess Helene of Toerring-Jettenbach to her husband’s cousin, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, in 1956.
Later that year, Archduke Otto’s sister, Archduchess Charlotte wore the Pearl Bandeau at her Wedding to to Duke George of Mecklenburg.
In 1977, the Pearl Bandeau Tiara was worn by Archduchess Andrea of Austria, the elder daughter of Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina, for her Wedding to Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg.
The Pearl Bandeau was also worn by Archduchess Monika for her Wedding to Luis de Casanova-Cardenas, the Duke de Santangelo in 1980.
Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza also wore the Pearl Bandeau Tiara when she married Archduke Karl von Habsburg, eldest son of Archduchess Regina, in 1993. In 1998, Archduke Karl was fined 180,000 schillings after he had failed to declare to customs officials that he had an antique diadem in his luggage when he crossed the border from Switzerland in 1996 to attend a wedding.
Archduchess Francesca wore the Pearl and Diamond Bandeau again at the Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2004. The Pearl Bandeau remains in the possession of Archduke Karl though has not been seen for two decades!
Empress Zita’s Diamond Tiara | Habsburg Pearl Bandeau | Diamond Necklace
