Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, who passed away on this day in 2005! The Belgian Princess who became the consort of the world’s only Grand Duchy, to mark the anniversary, we are featuring Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte’s Antique Emerald Earrings!
Consisting of a large pear-shaped emerald in an ornate antique diamond element that also includes two more emeralds, the Earrings are possibly old heirlooms of the Grand Ducal Family that might have been pulled out of the vault in the 1980s, but they are more likely an acquisition by Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte, since they were not previously worn by Grand Duchess Charlotte who had several iconic emerald jewels.
Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte usually preferred Queen Astrid’s Emerald Earrings with her Emerald Jewels like her Emerald Peacock Tiara/Necklace but began wearing the Antique Emerald Earrings Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte around the 1980s, with notable appearances in Denmark and Norway, as well as for an Official Portrait, when they were paired with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara, Emerald Peacock Necklace, and Princess Ingeborg’s Emerald Brooch.
After Grand Duke Henri’s Accession in 2000, the Antique Emerald Earrings were passed along to Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and notably with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for her first Official Portraits as Grand Duchess, and later for a Ball at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in 2002, as well as Crown Prince Felipe’s Wedding Gala in 2004.
The pairing of the Antique Emerald Earrings with Queen Astrid’s Emerald Choker became an iconic combination on the Grand Duchess, frequently worn with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara, as well as the Empire Tiara and even the Emerald Peacock Tiara.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also wore the Antique Emerald Earrings with Queen Astrid’s Emerald Choker for King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 80th Birthday Gala in 2017, the Luxembourg State Visit to France in 2018, and with the Belgian Scroll Tiara for the Belgian State Visit to Luxembourg in 2019.
Princess Alexandra wore the Antique Emerald Earrings, along with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara and Emerald Bangle for the Luxembourg New Years Reception in 2023.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore the Antique Emerald Earrings with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the first time at the State Banquet for the Czech President and First Lady in 2024, and also wore them for the Italian Official Visit to Luxembourg in 2025.
More notably, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore the Antique Emerald Earrings for an official portrait released ahead of the the Accession of Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. There is no doubt we will continue to see these heirlooms for years to come!
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