Breaking news...Eugenie's jewels stolen!

You may have heard precious jewels were stolen from Le Louvre in Paris. Well, these weren’t just any jewels - they once belonged to Empress Eugenie, a person I just finished a historical fiction about. (And am shopping around…)

This novel I wrote focuses on one of her jewels. And this item resides at the Louvre today. I think.

The New York Times reported a 212-pear tiara, diamond studded belt, diamond brooch, sapphire tiara, and emerald necklace and one matching earring were taken in broad daylight.  

​The item I wrote about was a three-pearl tiara, shown here. It seems it still lives at the Louvre. Yay! That means I may see it someday. Perhaps you too!

Eugenie was a fascinating person and worthy of a second thought. Her jewels were not just royal nonsense. She was considered the most fashionable woman of her day.

 Here are some other surprising facts you may not know about Eugenie:

• Her love language was jewelry (hubby Louis knew it, so did her ladies-in-waiting who were given exquisite diamond-initialed badges rimmed with the blue of the Napoleonic Empire)
• She was obsessed with pearls
• Her looks were so popular, women in France died their hair red to be like her
• She took daring fashion risks, even dressing like a man to a fox hunt
• Yes, Eugenie hunted on horses like a man
• She ruled France while her hubby was at war

​Now you know more about the woman whose jewels were taken for nefarious reasons. I hope they are recovered. Her greatness should live on at the Louvre.

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