Serbian Royal Jewels: Marie of Romania’s Golden Diadem with Cross

Yugoslavian Royals once had one of the most magnificent collections of jewels among the Royal Houses, so it is somewhat sad to discuss the few remnants of the former glory. 

Marie of Romania's Golden Diadem

Queen Marie of Romania had truly fantastic jewels that originated from the Yugoslavian Royal Family (mostly, made or purchased especially for her), and from the Russian Imperial Family (her mother was Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Alexander II), and even some pieces from the British Royal House (her father was Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the second son of Queen Victoria). 

This golden diadem was made for Queen Marie of Romania in late 1910s. It is composed of flower motifs with a large Orthodox Cross in the middle. There are no precious stones, no additional decorations – just a plain solid gold. 

Russian Royal Jewels: Maria Feodorovna's Russian Field Diadem

Empress Maria Feodorovna (wife of Paul I, not the other one) commissioned a diadem from the famous Duval Brothers. The Empress wanted something that would remind of the Russian fields, and so the brothers created a diadem of oak and laurel leaves, bordered by sheaves of wheat.

Russian Field Diadem

The Empress was fond of the piece and called it “Mon diademe en epis” (“my diadem of sheaves”). In her will, Maria Feodorovna left this piece, along with several other jewels, to the Diamond Fund. The Diamond Fond is a unique collection of jewellery and gems that dates back to the Russian Crown Treasury instituted by Peter I of Russia in 1719. The collection is currently stored and exhibited in Kremlin.