Queen Sofia of Sweden’s large sapphire and diamond brooch – pendant. A Burmese sapphire, imperial diamonds — and a surprising Franco-Swedish peace gesture
This deep blue Burmese sapphire framed by a double border of brilliant-cut diamonds was presented by Napoléon III to the then Duchess of Östergötland during her visit to Paris in 1865.
That same year, Napoléon III (a first cousin of Sophie’s mother-in-law, Dowager Queen Joséphine) even stood godfather to Sophie’s youngest child: Prince Eugen Napoleon Nicolaus.