British and European Royals Face Constant Scandals Over Their Jewellery!
Another day, another scandal involving the British and European Royals and their insatiable thirst for jewels. It seems that no matter how many accusations of corruption and racism come to light, these noble bloodlines can't resist the allure of a sparkling gem which, as soon as the media gets a hold of a juicy tit-bit, becomes yet another in a long line of royal jewellery scandals!
The British Royal Family
Let's start with the British Royal Family, who have been at the epicentre of numerous controversies surrounding their ostentatious jewellery. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was gifted a diamond and sapphire engagement ring which some claimed was cursed. In contrast, others argued it was far too extravagant for a future queen. And let's not forget Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That connection has cast a shadow over the family's collection, prompting questions about the origins of the diamonds and other gems adorning the royals through Andrew's connections.
When Kate Middleton was caught wearing a pair of diamond and pearl earrings allegedly gifted by a wealthy Malaysian businessman with ties to the Malaysian government, people were left wondering whether the Duchess had crossed a line by accepting such an extravagant present.
Even the Queen Mother's jewels were not immune to controversy. Reports emerged in 2002 that she had secretly sold off valuable items, including a diamond tiara and a pearl necklace, to fund the purchase of a new property. The news triggered a public outcry, with many accusing the royal family of cashing in on their status and betraying the trust of the British people.
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Are They All At it?
But it's not just the senior royals involved in these jewel-related scandals. Princess Michael of Kent was accused of wearing a blackamoor brooch depicting a subservient black man to a royal Christmas lunch in 2017, a move that was widely condemned as racist.
Then there's Lord Ivar Mountbatten, who was accused of selling family heirlooms worth millions of pounds without permission in 2018, causing a scandal and tarnishing the royal family's reputation. And let's not forget the Duchess of York's attempt to hawk a diamond necklace for a whopping £500,000 as part of a larger scheme to sell access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.
And last but not least, there's the infamous case of the Duchess of Windsor. Her collection of exquisite jewels, including a Cartier Panther bracelet, was tarnished by revelations that many of the gems were acquired through illicit means, including gifts from the Nazi regime.
One thing is clear: as long as the Royals remain fixated on their bling, these scandals will continue to burst forth like an overflowing jewel box.
The Spanish Royal Family
In 2012, it was revealed that King Juan Carlos had accepted a £320,000 watch from a Saudi businessman, leading to accusations of corruption and calls for the monarchy to be abolished.
Juan Carlos featured again in 2018. The troubled former king of Spain became embroiled in another scandal when it was revealed that he had given his former mistress a $5 million emerald and diamond necklace. The revelation caused outrage in Spain, with many calling for the former king to be held accountable for his actions.
Lastly, for now, in respect of Juan Carlos, in 2020, it was reported that Juan Carlos had received a $100 million gift from the king of Saudi Arabia. The gift allegedly included a diamond and emerald necklace that was so valuable it had to be declared on Juan Carlos's tax return. However, the necklace has since disappeared, leading to speculation that it may have been sold off to pay the former king's legal fees.
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Not Just Juan Carlos!
Queen Letizia was accused of stealing a diamond ring from her mother-in-law, which caused a scandal in Spain, with many questioning her character and motives.
In 2013, the Spanish royal family was rocked by the news that Princess Cristina, the daughter of King Juan Carlos, was being investigated for alleged fraud and money laundering. Among the evidence presented against her was a lavish collection of jewels, including a diamond-encrusted tiara worth over $6 million.
The Belgian Royal Family
The Belgian royal family has been rocked by a scandal involving the theft of a priceless tiara. The piece, which Queen Fabiola once wore, disappeared from a Brussels museum and was later found in the possession of a prominent art dealer. Questions have been raised about how the dealer acquired the tiara and whether the royal family knew its whereabouts.
The French Royal Family
Meanwhile, across the channel, the French royal family has had its fair share of jewellery-related scandals. One of the most notorious was the "Diamond Necklace Affair" of 1785. A con artist named Jeanne de la Motte convinced Cardinal de Rohan to purchase a necklace worth millions of francs on behalf of Queen Marie Antoinette. The whole thing turned out to be an elaborate scam. The ensuing scandal rocked the French court and contributed to the already-tense political climate that led to the French Revolution.
Theft of Swedish Crown Jewels
Another scandal that shocked the UK and Europe was the 18th-century Swedish Crown Jewels theft in 2018. Thieves broke into a cathedral in Sweden and stole two crowns and an orb valued at over $7 million. The theft exposed the lax security measures in place for such priceless artefacts, and the Swedish royal family was left red-faced.
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The Koh-I-Noor Diamond
But perhaps the most infamous royal jewellery scandal of all time involves a little something called the Koh-I-Noor diamond. This 106-carat gem, which is now part of the British Crown Jewels, has a long and controversial history, having been claimed by a succession of rulers and empires over the centuries. The British eventually seized the diamond during their colonial rule of India. Its acquisition has been a source of tension and resentment between the two countries. Some have even called for the diamond to be returned to India as a gesture of reparations for Britain's imperialist past.
Will They Ever Learn?
The controversies surrounding royal jewels are as endless as they are unsurprising. The royal jewellery scandals involving precious stones and metals continue to surface from the UK to Europe. The scandals range from cursed engagement rings to accusations of racism and corruption. They expose a world of greed, corruption, and power that is far from the glitz and glamour of the jewels themselves. It seems as though the royals are incapable of learning from their mistakes, despite the constant public scrutiny and outrage.
While the royals may think that their status and wealth give them a free pass to behave however they please, the rest of the world is not so easily fooled. The stories behind the jewels are often dark and tainted with unethical practices. Yet, the royals continue to flaunt them as if they are above the law.
Perhaps it is time for the royals to look at their own behaviour and relationship with their jewellery. Rather than continuing to use their status and power to acquire more and more jewels, they should use their platform to promote ethical practices and help make the world a better place.
But will they ever learn? Judging by the endless scandals plaguing the royal families, it seems unlikely. The scandals may be shocking, but they are far from surprising. As long as there is wealth, power, and status, those will abuse it, and royal jewels will continue to be a source of controversy and drama.
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