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A Royal Fury Over Jewels Put Up For Auction

Posted by karenl on October 30, 2026, 2:44 am

"A royal expert has claimed that a king could consider bidding for an historic set of sapphires that once belonged to his mother after they appeared at auction.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is being talked about as a possible buyer of a demi parure of sapphires and diamonds that were once the property of his mother, Princess Sybilla.

The gems appeared in the catalogue of a sale called Royal and Noble Jewels with Sotheby’s set to auction the gems in Geneva on November 11.

The catalogue shows that the necklace and earrings belonged to Princess Birgitta, an older sister of King Carl Gustaf. Birgitta died last year.
The gems are given their full provenance in the listing – they were among Birgitta’s possessions and she had inherited them from her mother, Princess Sybilla. Sybilla received them as a wedding present when she married Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1932. The gift came from Ferdinand, former Tsar of Bulgaria and the sapphires are believed to have once belonged to Maria Feodorovna, Tsarina of Russia, who had been born Princess Dagmar of Denmark.

This truly historic set are one of the star lots of the auction with a six figure estimate attached to them. However, according to one report in the Swedish media, King Carl Gustaf wasn’t aware that they were being put up for sale. The editor in chief of Svensk Damtidning, Johan T. Lindwall said ”The king is so conservative that this goes against his values. Selling his mother’s jewellery at auction goes against everything the king stands for.”

I was surprised to see Birgitta's jewels were up for auction, especially her mother's sapphire demi parure.

https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/king-royal-jewels-219600/

The Jewels Of Princess Birgitta Up For Sale

Posted by karenl on October 30, 2026, 2:46 am, in reply to "A Royal Fury Over Jewels Put Up For Auction"

https://members2.boardhost.com/royal-jewels/msg/1793049135.html

Re: The Jewels Of Princess Birgitta Up For Sale

Posted by Hollie24 on October 30, 2026, 4:33 am, in reply to "The Jewels Of Princess Birgitta Up For Sale"

It is a beautiful set. I am puzzled, though. I thought the Swedish Royal Family had a trust or foundation which held all their parures and other jewels and did not own any of the family jewelry separately.I'd have thought Sibylla's jewelry, especially the items gifted her when she married, would have gone into that foundation or whatever it is. I would have thought the King would have been notified of the sale in advance, or even offered the jewels before the went to the auction.

I understand Birgitte's children and grandchildren have no need for this kind of jewelry and could use the money, but I hate to see this.

Bernadotte Family Foundation

Posted by Hollie24 on October 30, 2026, 4:36 am, in reply to "Re: The Jewels Of Princess Birgitta Up For Sale"

The name of the foundation.

OT-ish: WA Bolin

Posted by Hollie24 on October 30, 2026, 4:52 am, in reply to "Bernadotte Family Foundation"

The firm WA Bolin, Jeweller to the Swedish RF, has long been in charge of the Bernadotte Family Foundation, in addition to providing the family with lovely pieces. Sadly, the firm is going out of business, sort of, by the end of 2026. They are having a sort of going out of business sale. Bolin will still be available to established clients. There are a few necklaces I like...

https://bolin.se/

Re: Bernadotte Family Foundation

Posted by Karen on October 30, 2026, 7:31 am, in reply to "Bernadotte Family Foundation"

Some Jewels are owned by the Bernadotte Family Foundation and others by private individuals. It's possible that the sapphire demi parure which was inherited by Birgitta became her private property. What her Children or Grandchildren should have done was offer it and the other jewels to the Gustav first before putting them up for auction.

Re: Bernadotte Family Foundation

Posted by Cynthia on October 30, 2026, 9:46 am, in reply to "Re: Bernadotte Family Foundation"

Maybe her will stipulated that the jewels be sold. Maybe the proceeds will go to charity. We don't know.

Re: Bernadotte Family Foundation

Posted by karenl on October 30, 2026, 11:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Bernadotte Family Foundation"

That could be, my first thought was the family being hit with death/inheritance taxes. I'm surprised they didn't notify the King. Perhaps the King will acquire his sister's jewels by a purchase agreement to help offset the family's taxes, if that's the case. Whatever the case, I hope this doesn't cause a rift in the family.

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