An inherited sapphire-and-diamond jewelry set belonging to the late Princess Birgitta of Sweden is scheduled for auction in Geneva on November 11, with a pre-sale valuation between 3.6 and 6 million Swedish kroner.
Heirs Take Historic Suite to Market After December Death
Princess Birgitta passed away on December 4, 2024, as the older sister of Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf. Following her death, her heirs placed the historic jewelry collection on the market.
The suite features a lavish necklace and a pair of pendant earrings crafted with sapphires and old-cut diamonds, according to details published by The Royal Watcher.
Sapphires Trace Back to Russian Tsarist Family
The sapphires in the collection trace back to the 19th-century Russian tsarist family before entering the Swedish royal house.
Swedish publication Svensk Damtidning reported that the suite was later given as a wedding gift to the late Princess Sibylla—mother of Princess Birgitta and King Carl Gustaf—before eventually passing down to Princess Birgitta herself.
Stockholm Draws Distinction Between Private and State Property
Royal Court Information Officer Margareta Thorgren declined to comment directly on the ongoing auction arrangements when contacted by Svensk Damtidning. However, she outlined the legal distinction between private and state-owned royal property.
"Jewelry that can be sold at auctions is a private possession," Thorgren told the publication, adding that state-owned assets or holdings tied to official foundations cannot be auctioned off.
Herman Lindqvist Condemns Sale of Royal Heirlooms
Royal expert and historian Herman Lindqvist voiced sharp disagreement with the decision to sell the heirlooms outside the family.
"I think it is inappropriate to sell objects like these," Lindqvist told Svensk Damtidning. "These are things that should remain in the family."
Lindqvist added that he doubts King Carl Gustaf received advance notice of the sale.
"He would have been irritated. I am sure of that," Lindqvist said. "Royal valuables tied to personal memories should not be sold this way."