The Royal Jewels

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.