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David Bateson
Narrator
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Throughout history European royal families have been known for their great wealth, often displayed in extravagant and beautiful jewellery. Today some of these monarchies no longer exist but their impressive jewellery lives on, still worn by the remaining royal families. This two part documentary tells the fascinating story of these jewels and of the human destinies they entwine. The jewels have been stolen and resurrected as copies. They have been given as dowries and used as a cure for bad consciences in broken engagements. They have been hidden beneath women's skirts and smuggled out of chaotic countries. And some are still buried in the woods of Siberia. These are stories of power, love, triumph, tragedy and honour. Includes rare archival footage, and interviews with members of the Danish and Swedish Royal Families.
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David Bateson
Narrator
Throughout history, European royal families were known for their great wealth. Their jewels were the symbols of their royal power and the most visible evidence of royal dignity, as well as providing legitimacy to the family. Consisting of fascinating one-on-one interviews with the Danish and Swedish Royal families, The Royal Jewels tells the stories behind these historic gems, an intriguing world few know, and a world often tied to the high points of the history of the various royal families.\r\n\r\nIn 1804, the eyes of the world were trained on France for the coronation of Emperor Napoleon. Not only was Napoleon's wife Josephine taking part in his coronation but also there was his first fiancee Desiree, wearing the most beautiful rubies and diamonds - a parure. Today, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark wears Desiree's ruby parure.
This second part tells the story of the wealth of unique jewellery once owned by the imperial house of Russia. The last emperor of Russia, Nicolas II, was crowned in 1896. Most of the jewels from that period have vanished, but in the Danish Royal household one coronation brooch still exists and one tiara is worn today by Queen Elizabeth. The Russian court jewellers were Faberge and Chaumet from Paris and W.A. Bolin from Sweden.