Royal Guests and Relatives joined European High Society at the spectacular Wedding of the Prince of Thurn und Taxis and Countess Gloria von Schönburg-Glauchau at Saint Emmeram’s Abbey in Regensburg, on this day in 1980, 45 years ago.

20-year old Countess Gloria von Schönburg-Glauchau married her ‘Uncle Johannes’, the 54-year old Prince of Thurn und Taxis at Saint Emmeram’s Abbey in Regensburg, the massive Seat of the House of Thurn und Taxis which is the  largest private residence in Germany.

Countess Gloria von Schönburg-Glauchau wore a Valentino Gown with Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara.

Princess Gloria said of her Wedding:

Usually you get married where the girl comes from, but since my father has only a villa in Munich (the Schönburg-Glauchau Seat of Schloss Rochsburg was on the other side of the Iron Curtain and not returned to the family until 1991), it was much nicer to do it at Regensburg. It was an incredibly grand party. Johannes’s friends came from all over the world. I wore a couture gown by Valentino, topped by Marie Antoinette’s diamond crown (she actually wore Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara). It was really something to see. Half the Rothschilds were there, and then all those Prussian Counts and Barons covered with medals and Iron Crosses.”

On the eve of the Wedding, Countess Gloria von Schönburg-Glauchau wore the massive Thurn und Taxis Sapphire Tiara for a spectacular Ball at Schloss St. Emmeram in Regensberg, which was also attended by the Prince and Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe (wearing the Sapphire Tiara).

The couple had three children, Princess Maria Theresa, Princess Elisabeth, and Prince Albert. Prince Johannes was said to to be worth around $3 billion, and the couple enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in the 1980s, within Princess Gloria known as the ‘Punk Princess’ and ‘Princess TNT’ for her outrageous fashion and hairstyles. When Prince Johannes died in 1990, he left debts of $500 million, and Princess Gloria acted as the trustee for her underage son, selling off jewellery and other assets to preserve the family fortune, becoming a hugely successful businesswoman.

Thurn und Taxis Sapphire Tiara

Emerald Tiara

Thurn und Taxis Ruby Tiara

Emerald and Ruby Choker

Sapphire Bow Brooch

Princess Olga’s Emerald Earrings

Hesse Emerald Brooch

Thurn und Taxis Tiaras

Thurn und Taxis Empire Tiara

Sapphire Tiara

Emerald Tiara

Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara

Emerald and Ruby Choker

Sapphire Bow Brooch

Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Turquoise Tiara

Duchess of Albany’s Diamond Necklace

 Diamond Star

Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Diamond Tiara

Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Emerald Necklace Tiara