In July 1900, the wedding presents received by Her Royal Highness Princess Marie Louise were extraordinarily numerous and splendid. They were displayed for viewing in a small salon at Cumberland Castle, arranged on long tables draped in white cloth — a dazzling presentation of dynastic generosity and prestige.
“Diadème à la Russe” – also wearable as a necklace
Jewels of the Margravine of Baden, Princess Maximilian of Baden
The Grand Duke of Baden presented the bride with a magnificent large diamond tiara in radiating form — a “Diadème à la Russe” (fringe style), which could also be worn as a necklace or collar.
In addition, he bestowed a large diamond corsage clasp from the Baden family jewels. Thus, Princess Marie Louise received a splendid diamond diadem together with a matching clasp from the hereditary court treasury.
The bridegroom presented a wonderful necklace composed of diamond-set links connected by hazelnut-sized pearls — an impressive combination of brilliance and volume characteristic of the period.
As a second gift, Prince Maximilian gave his bride two large diamond brooches in the form of lilies. One of these can be seen at the upper right in historical images. The design bears a striking resemblance to the naturalistic lily flower brooch owned by Queen Sonja of Norway since the 1980s.
One of the two lily brooches was sold in the late 1990s.
