Royal Jewels

[prince.of.preslav]

A few weeks ago we were discussing Mabel's clothes and I promised to find a photo of her at King Harald V's 70th birthday. Only taday I succeed and again I'm speechless... Maybe MJ can find the right words to describe it? In a way I like it... It has an Art Deco look but everything's ruined by the transparent fabric beneth the fringes. Poor Mabel never gets it right when clothes are concerned...

 

[LadyMaria]

Good to see you back! I admit, I was a little worried that you hadn't posted in a while.

You shouldn't worry, Lady Maria. I had two great weeks of relaxing after a few months of styding for exams for the university.

Bobby

The thread just isn't the same without you! And I still wonder what ever happened to the originator of this thread (Lady Amythyst). As I recall, one of her last posts talked about her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer. So yes, I will worry a little. But it sounds like you had a great and well-deserved vacation!

 

[LadyMaria]

A few weeks ago we were discussing Mabel's clothes and I promised to find a photo of her at King Harald V's 70th birthday. Only taday I succeed and again I'm speechless... Maybe MJ can find the right words to describe it? In a way I like it... It has an Art Deco look but everything's ruined by the transparent fabric beneth the fringes. Poor Mabel never gets it right when clothes are concerned...

Belly dancer meets 1920's flapper with flaming results. The ever present "BOW" is on her shoes.

And the expression on her escort's face says, "I can't believe I am stuck with a walking fringe rug on my arm! Someone save me!"

 

[fogdancer]

Born in Isfahan 22/06/1932, Persia, Soraya Esfandiary was the eldest child and only daughter of Khalil Esfandiary -- a notable of the powerful Bakhtiari tribe of southern Iran who was the Iranian ambassador to West Germany in the 1950s -- and his Russian-born German wife, Eva Klein. She had one brother, Bijan. Died in 26/06/2001 at the age og 69 as said by a severe brain stroke according to some sources her death is still covered by mysterie, she just one brother called Bijan who died after her, meanwhile her funeral procedings.
She was unable to conceive kids so Shah Reza Pahlevi opted to divorce.

Marriage to the Shah
In 1948, Soraya was introduced to the recently divorced Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi in Paris, by Forough Zafar Bakhtiari, a relative, when she was still a student at a Swiss finishing school.[1] They were soon engaged (the Shah gave her a 22.37 carat (4.474 g) diamond engagement ring).[2]

Soraya married the Shah at Golestan Palace in Tehran on 12 February 1951; originally, the couple had planned to wed on 27 December 1950, but the ceremony had to be postponed due to the bride being ill.

Though the Shah announced that guests should donate money to a special charity for the Iranian poor, among the wedding gifts was a mink coat and a desk set with black diamonds sent by Joseph Stalin; a Steuben glass Bowl of Legends designed by Sidney Waugh and sent by U.S. President and Mrs. Truman; and silver Georgian candlesticks from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth,[4], and the 2,000 guests included Aga Khan III.

The ceremony was decorated with 1.5 tonnes of orchids, tulips, and carnations, sent by plane from the Netherlands, and entertainment included an equestrian circus sent from Rome.[5] The bride wore a silver lamé gown studded with pearls and trimmed with marabou stork feathers[6], designed for the occasion by Christian Dior. She also wore a full-length female white-mink cape.
fertility and divorce
Though the wedding took place during a heavy snow, deemed a good omen, the imperial couple's marriage had disintegrated by early 1958 owing to Soraya's apparent infertility, for which she had sought treatment in Switzerland and France, and the Shah's suggestion that he take a second wife in order to produce an heir.[7] She left Iran in February and eventually went to her parents' home in Cologne, Germany, where the Shah sent his wife's uncle, Senator Sardar Assad Bakhtiari in early March, 1958, in a failed attempt to convince her to return to Iran.[8] On 10 March, a council of advisors met with the Shah to discuss the situation of the troubled marriage and the lack of an heir.[9] Four days later, it was announced that the imperial couple would divorce. It was, the 25-year-old queen said, "a sacrifice of my own happiness."[10] She later told reporters that her husband had no choice but to divorce her.[11]

On 21 March, 1958, the Iranian New Year's Day, a weeping Shah announced his divorce to the Iranian people in a speech that was broadcast on radio and television; he said that he would not remarry in haste. The headline-making divorce inspired French songwriter Françoise Mallet-Jorris to write a hit pop song, Je veux pleurer comme Soraya (I Want to Cry Like Soraya). The marriage was officially ended on 6 April 1958.

According to a report in The New York Times, extensive negotiations had preceded the divorce in order to convince Queen Soraya to allow her husband to take a second wife. The Queen, however, citing what she called the "sanctity of marriage", stated that "she could not accept the idea of sharing her husband's love with another woman.]

In a statement issued to the Iranian people from her parents' home in Germany, Soraya said, "Since His Imperial Majesty Reza [sic] Shah Pahlavi [sic] has deemed it necessary that a successor to the throne must be of direct descent in the male line from generation to generation to generation, I will with my deepest regret in the interest of the future of the State and of the welfare of the people in accordance with the desire of His Majesty the Emperor sacrifice my own happiness, and I will declare my consent to a separation from His Imperial Majesty.

After the divorce, the Shah, who had told a reporter who asked about his feelings for the former Queen that "nobody can carry a torch longer than me", indicated his interest in marrying Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, a daughter of the deposed Italian king Umberto II. In an editorial about the rumors surrounding the marriage of "a Muslim sovereign and a Catholic princess", the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, considered the match "a grave danger


Career as actress

Soraya in 1953Granted the style and title Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya of Iran, the former queen moved to France.

Princess Soraya launched a brief career as a film actress, for which she used only her first name. Initially, it was announced that she would portray Catherine the Great in a movie about the Russian empress by Dino De Laurentiis, but that project fell through.[13] Instead, she starred in the 1965 movie I tre volti (The Three Faces)[14] and became the companion of its Italian director, Franco Indovina (1932–1972).[15] She also appeared as a character named Soraya in the 1965 movie She.[16]

After Indovina's death in a plane crash, she spent the remainder of her life in Europe, succumbing to depression, which she outlined in her 1991 memoir, Le Palais Des Solitudes (The Palace of Loneliness).

Death
Princess Soraya died of undisclosed causes in her apartment in Paris, France; she was 69. Upon learning of her death, her younger brother, Bijan (1937–2001) (who died in Paris one week after Soraya), sadly commented, "After her, I don't have anyone to talk to."[1][

After a funeral at the American Cathedral in Paris on 6 November 2001—which was attended by Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, Prince Gholam Reza Pahlavi, the Count and Countess of Paris, the Prince and Princess of Naples, Prince Michel of Orléans, and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg—she was buried in the Westfriedhof, a cemetery in Munich, Germany, along with her parents and brother.[17] In 2002, her tomb was defaced with the words "miserable parasite," followed by the phrase "Didn't work from the ages of 25 to 60." The vandalism was erased, but made headlines throughout Europe.


Grave of Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari in MunichSince Soraya's death, several women have come forward claiming to be her illegitimate daughter, reportedly born in 1962, according to the Persian-language weekly Nimrooz; the claims have not been confirmed.[18] The newspaper also published an article in 2001 which suggested, without proof, that Princess Soraya and her brother had been murdered.

The former queen's belongings were sold at auction in Paris after her death, for more than $8.3 million. Her Dior wedding dress brought $1.2 million

 

[T L]

A few weeks ago we were discussing Mabel's clothes and I promised to find a photo of her at King Harald V's 70th birthday. Only taday I succeed and again I'm speechless... Maybe MJ can find the right words to describe it? In a way I like it... It has an Art Deco look but everything's ruined by the transparent fabric beneth the fringes. Poor Mabel never gets it right when clothes are concerned...

OMG, Hillary looks like a tent, and this woman looks like she's wearing curtain fringe.

 

[T L]

I can never tire of looking at photos of Princess Grace, such a beautiful woman. I know someone who is actually a distant cousin of Grace's on the Kelly side of the family tree. I was awestruck.

 

[T L]

Lady Maria,
I dedicate this photo to you.

Charlene Wittstock in a huge bow!!

 

[Imdanny]

While I was not a fan of Bill Clinton when he was in the White House, I will still drool over the jewels in his daughter Chelsea's wedding gown. While the earrings are understated, I think the belt is beautiful. I doubt it is real though. I can't decide if she should have worn a necklace though. Part of me says yes...if she had done more dramatic earrings it would have balanced with the belt and I think no necklace would have been fine. But it just seems like with the small earrings, no necklace, and the big belt it's lopsided. Part of me says no necklace...perhaps she wanted the full attention on the belt. If it hadn't been strapless then I would definately be okay with no necklace. If it had lace sleeves a la Princess Grace or Ivanka Trump I think it would have looked even better.

So here's a photo and we can all comment!

I'm sorry, LadyMaria, but this seems totally off topic. It's not about royal jewels. It's not even about royals. I'm kind of confused about how we got so far off topic in this thread. I'm not trying to be a purist or anything but I really have no interest in talking about Chelsea's wedding.

 

[alexander1917]

Some interesting pieces. She is very elegant -- & I like that often she wears no jewelry at all with a formal dress, the spare look & restraint are nice. Great belt on the silver dress.

--- Laurie

I think Charlene got her own style. and without the grandeur of jewels it looks great. and it match her sportive charakter. And in my opinion it looks GREAT!!!!

 

[LadyMaria]

I'm sorry, LadyMaria, but this seems totally off topic. It's not about royal jewels. It's not even about royals. I'm kind of confused about how we got so far off topic in this thread. I'm not trying to be a purist or anything but I really have no interest in talking about Chelsea's wedding.

Since we don't have royalty in the USA, I thought this was the closest thing we would have to an American "royal" wedding. My post did discuss the jewels she wore (namely the belt, earrings, and if it had looked better with a necklace). My apologies for any offense.

 

[LadyMaria]

Lady Maria,
I dedicate this photo to you.

Charlene Wittstock in a huge bow!!

But it's only one bow, so it doesn't look bad (but I will say I think she looks better in the flowing evening gowns). If Mabel wore this outfit there would be bows up and down the lapel, a big one on her backside, bows up and down the out seams of the pants, and probably two bows at the bottom of the pant legs!

 

[LadyMaria]

I just read that Prince Albert changed the wedding date...now instead of July 8-9 it will be July 2-3. The Palace issued a statement explaining that the International Olympic Committee will be meeting in South Africa from July 5-9. They want to get married before the meeting so that Charlene's first trip as a Princess of Monaco will be back to her native land.

Plus, Albert has to attend the IOC meeting...can you imagine doing an international meeting the week before your royal wedding?

 

[JewelFreak]

Danny, you have a point; we did get off the track there on Diana. But Maria's right too -- otherwise (and with some reason) all American jewels would be off-topic since we have no legitimate royalty, only the pretend variety. I didn't find her post a problem; in fact it dealt with the very things I thought when I first saw that photo -- the belt was delicious & possibly not fake but borrowed, as even genuine Royals do, and whether her jewelry was right or not is an ok subject with me. I do agree that a yabberyabber about the wedding itself isn't the subject here -- and that hasn't happened. If it does, squawk!

Soraya -- my mother used to talk about her & comment how sad she felt that story was. Soraya was beautiful and wow, that necklace in the pic is gorgeous. I'd love to see more of her jewels too.

Bobby, having tried to find more info on Monaco gems too, particularly Grace's beautiful diamond necklace & cluster earrings, I've discovered there isn't a lot of history on them available, except for the few family pieces we've mentioned. I am beginning to suspect that much of what she wore were gifts or she bought them herself.

--- Laurie

 

[JewelFreak]

More pictures of Princess Soraya & her jewels. Her belongings were auctioned in Paris in 2002; she died in 2001. This is her engagement ring, I think -- 22.37 ct. set in platinum from Harry Winston. Some photos from Royal Forum, some from auction catalog, some from here & there.

 

[JewelFreak]

Sapphires:

 

[JewelFreak]

Rubies:

 

[JewelFreak]

Emeralds:

 

[JewelFreak]

And other pieces. She was lovely & had wonderful jewelry. The Shah's first wife, Fawzia, had all her jewels taken from her when her brother, Kind Farouk, was overthrown in Egypt, where she had returned after the divorce. Soraya was not so unfortunate.

 

[JewelFreak]

And more -- she wore her pieces beautifully.

 

[JewelFreak]

Gold & diamond cigarette case, a gift from the Shah.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

I've always considered the late Princess Soraya of Iran to be one of the most beautiful consorts ever. Honestly, for me all three of Reza Pahlavi's wives were/are true beauties, esp when they were young. Unfortunately, however, they were all ill-fated...
Here are Reza and Soraya at their wedding in 1951. The new Queen of Iran wore a spectacular necklace, tiara and pair of earrings in emeralds and diamonds (any idea why?).

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Princess Soraya wearing an impressive necklace with marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds. The necklace was among the sold jewels and the largest pear stone weights 10.08 cts. I can't see what tiara she's wearings but it may be her usual one.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

The caption of this photo says State Visit Germany 1955. Soraya's wearing a three row diamond necklace, tassel earrings and tiara:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

The above necklace and another one with 3 rows of pearls:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

A mag covoer with Saoraya. The heading is quite dramatical, the brooch in beautiful:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

I forgot to say that Farah has also worn the emerald and diamond scroll tiara from Soraya&Reza's wedding at the Silver wedding celabrations of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. I have a photo if anyone is interested.

Here's Soraya's wedding emerald necklace. Now it's part of the national treasury of Iran and is kept in a vault in Teheran along with the rest of the marvelous imperial jewels:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Another beautiful thing -- Sunburst Brooch given by the PoW to Alexandra as a wedding present. Here she is wearing it on her bodice.

--- Laurie

Laurie, I just saw your post with a photo of Queen Alexandra wearing the State Diademe But there's a small mistake in your part - the Sunburst brooch is actually a former cockade, transformed into a cloack clasp (in 5 parts) for Queen Victoria (IIRC) and then altered to 3 parts for QAlexandra. Somewhere I saw it labeled as Queen Victoria's stomacher. Queen Mary has also used it as a stomecher with or without the central sun ornament. Queen Elizabeth wore only the Sunburst brooch at the 1937 Coronation and since then it was worn for the first time at the French State Visit in 2008 by her daughter Elizabeth II.

Here's the jewel in question:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

BTW, we've discussed this cockade before. The brooch/stomacher is clearly visible on this photo of Queen Alexandra from the 1902 Coronation in the center of her bodice:

 

[JewelFreak]

Bobby, you're right about the sunburst brooch -- can't remember where I picked up the bit about its being a wedding gift from Bertie; a website somewhere. A lesson not to rattle stuff off without checking first!

I sure would not object if somebody gave me that 3-row diamond necklace of Soraya's. What a beauty. Yes, the headline on the magazine is, well, attention-getting!

--- Laurie

 

[JewelFreak]

P.S. Bobby -- Looks like she's wearing the 3-row necklace in this photo (larger above)......