Why she let them go life and jewels of Gabriele zu Leiningen Inaara Aga Khan

She had everything. Cartier emeralds the size of royal heirlooms. Historic diamonds once worn by the Chrysler family. Jewels worth millions, gifted, inherited, collected across continents. And then, she let them go. Today we explore the story of a woman unlike any other in royal circles. A woman known as the double princess, who became a royal bride twice, and is now part of one of German's most powerful dynasties. And before we continue, just take a second to subscribe to help us grow our community of jewelry explorers. Born as Gabriele Renate Homme in 1963, she wasn't royal, but she already lived in a well-secured environment. She grew up in a German industrial family, studied law, and built an early career far removed from royal courts. And her first transformation came through marriage. In 1991, she married Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen, gaining her first royal title, Princess of Leiningen. But that was only the beginning. In 1998, her life changed dramatically. She married again, this time, one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the world, Prince Karim al-Husseini, known as Aga Khan IV, spiritual leader of around 15 million Ismaili people and a billionaire. And it was his second marriage, after he divorced Sally Croker Poole, Princess Salima Aga Khan. Of course, Aga Khan is not a name, it's a title. That is why every woman who gets married to Ismaili leader also gets entitled as Begum Aga Khan. But before that, a new wife had to change the name to keep up with religious tradition, and Gabriele chose the name she loved more, Inyara, derived from the Arabic, which refers to the act of bringing light into darkness. And with this marriage came a new responsibility focused on philanthropy, international development. But there was also something every woman won't reject, a jewelry collection worth millions. During their marriage, she received exceptional pieces, many of them from the greatest jewelry houses in the world, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Boucheron, Tiffany and company. But these were not just luxury objects. Each marked a moment, a gala, a marriage, a chapter of her life. But would she keep them forever or choose to let go of the past? We'll talk about it later. By the time she felt happily married, among the many extraordinary jewels once associated with princess, we want to highlight this Cartier emerald and diamond necklace. At its center, a nearly 40 carat detachable Colombian emerald pendant, deep, luminous, unmistakable. The necklace was paired with matching earrings, also featuring cushion shaped emerald pendants. She first acquired a necklace at Cartier in 2000, with the earrings being acquired two years later in 2002. She wore this set at one of Europe's most watched royal events, the pre-wedding celebrations of Spain's future king in 2004. She continued to wear it for multiple events, sometimes choosing only earrings, wearing top emerald parts. And I must say, emeralds suit her well. She would continue to wear many of Cartier jewels, including this breathtaking 55 carat sapphire pendant necklace by Cartier. This is not simply a jewel. It is a statement of presence. The sapphire itself, deeply saturated and velvety in tone, reflects Cartier's longstanding mastery in sourcing exceptional stones. Suspended as a central drop from the smaller sapphire and diamond, the pendant commands attention without overwhelming the wearer, a balance that Cartier perfected during the 20th century. Gabriele wore pieces like this during her years as Begum Aga Khan at high-profile galas and charity events, where elegance was expected. But there are less images revealed to the public, where we can witness the beauty of these jewels. Paired with it were matching sapphire earrings, each exceeding 24 carats, creating a suite that was both cohesive and formidable. Such sets are often designed not just for beauty, but for symmetry in public appearances. Photographs, especially. When worn together, these jewels framed her face with an unmistakable aura of authority. Well, but not all her jewels were new. Some carried family's history. The pearl and diamond fringe necklace once belonged to Begum Om Habibe Aga Khan, her husband's grandmother. First, the necklace was put at auction, but was brought back to the family by Karim for his new wife. I tend to think it was a gesture of love, both preserving some of family heirlooms, as well as showing attitude to Princess Inara, being entrusted with such a gift. Designed with diamond-set floral motifs, 15 suspended cultured pearls, intricate gold and platinum craftsmanship, Inara didn't just receive the family heirloom, she expanded it, commissioning matching earrings and a bracelet from Van Cleef and Arpels in the same style. This helps to understand her style. She didn't just wear jewels, she completed them. And that's where it makes us believe that the necklace was also designed by the Maison, as previously it wasn't confirmed by family members. She first wore the pearl and diamond fringe necklace with Van Cleef and Arpels suite for a gala at the Chateau de Versailles a later that year. Now we move to another standout piece, the Cartier Persepolis necklace and Persena earrings. Unlike many gifts, this one came from her mother, Renate Tyson, who often accompanies Gabrielle to galas and multiple events. So no wonder on multiple images, they are always together, having great relationships and sharing jewels. The necklace looks really delicate, but formidable, set with emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and pearls in the fringe style. First, we saw the necklace worn by Renate, and probably at that point, she handed down the necklace to her daughter. However, we wonder why Princess Gabrielle decided to sell it as well. The necklace blends family heritage with high jewelry, a rare emotional anchor in a collection often defined by royal gifting. But still, she let it go. Then there is a piece that reflects an entirely different side of high jewelry craftsmanship. A ruby and diamond mystery set Demi Perure, which includes a brooch, a ring and earrings by Van Cleef and Arpels. The mystery setting, an intricate technique developed in the 1930s, allows gemstones to be set without visible prongs, creating a seamless surface of color. It is one of the most technically demanding methods in jewelry making, requiring extraordinary precision. I think for such a woman, this brooch and earrings weren't just decorative, it was symbolic of refinement, discretion and an appreciation for artistry that goes beyond the obvious sparkle. And then, perhaps most revealing of all, is a piece that feels almost playful, a Cartier violin brooch watch. At first glance, it appears to be a whimsical miniature violin, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. But hidden within is a functioning timepiece, a fusion of jewelry and horology. Pieces like this belong to a tradition where luxury is not only about display, but about surprise. They suggest curiosity, personality, even a sense of humor. In a world where many royal jewels are rigidly formal, this brooch hints at a woman who also knows how to look playful and serene. Among her most valuable pieces is a 36-carat flawless diamond, known as the Pole Diamond. But it's not the one more jewel by Cartier. It was one of the first major diamonds ever polished in America. Acquired for her in 1998, it symbolized the beginning of her life as Begum Aga Khan. Worth up to six million dollars, the ring is set with a rectangular cut diamond, with tapered baguette cut diamond shoulders, mounted in platinum and gold. It was first sold in 1943 to Bernice Kreisler Garbisch, daughter of the founder of Kreisler Motor Corporation, before the world could see it again on the hand of Inara Aga Khan. She also had a beautiful square cut Cartier sapphire and diamond ring, which was a good match for her sapphire and diamond pendant necklace, or for the Persepolis necklace. But Princess Gabriele also could match it with her Cartier emerald, diamonds and pearl set, consisting of a necklace, bracelet and earrings. The design looks gorgeous and is inspired by Indian motifs. The necklace is made of graduated emerald bead drops, interspersed with diamond briolette drops and pearls, suspending a larger emerald bead pendant with the similarly set pendant clasp. To my biggest surprise, the price high exceeded its pre-estimate, selling for almost two million dollars. And the last highlight of her jewels is this pearl and diamond necklace with pearl studs. The necklace is made as a double strand piece made of cultured pearls, with circular and rectangular cut diamond cluster clasp, mounted in gold. This necklace also belonged to Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, probably also bought out from the auction along with this beautiful ruby, emerald and diamond flower brooch by Robert Puget. Set with Calibre cut rubies to the similarly set emerald leaves and baguette cut diamond stem, the rose flower head and rosebud are reminiscent of the same mystery set technique of Van Cleef and Arpels. While gemstones can be lasting, the happiness from wearing them is limitless. Their marriage came to an end in 2004 after several years of separation, with almost a decade of divorce settlement. While the exact reasons were kept largely private, as is often the case in such circles, it is widely understood that differences in lifestyle and expectations played a role. They share one son, Prince Ali Muhammad Aga Khan, born in 2000, and despite the separation, he remained a central connection between them until February 2025, when Aga Khan IV passed away. In 2016, something unexpected happened. She decided to auction a large part of her collection, mainly the jewels she wore as Begum Aga Khan. Over 46 pieces, valued at more than $15 million, went under the hammer at Christie's. Ahead of the sale, the princess wore the Cartier emerald and diamond necklace suite along the rest of her jewels for a series of promotional shots. It proves one thing, she was happy to free herself from the overwhelming diamonds, and her own words give the same answer. The jewels represented wonderful memories, but it was time for them to continue their journey. This is rare. Most royals hold on to jewels. She let them go. This is what makes her story unique. She had to let go of something that won't be suitable for her new life chapter, and this decision helped her start anew. The double princess found her new prince charming in the face of Porsche automotive heir, Wolfgang Porsche, proving love can happen in different stages of life, despite the age gap. Her jewelry choices now reflect a more curated, intentional style. Fewer grand perures, more carefully selected pieces. Less about representing a role, more about expressing self. She remains a woman who values independence, curates her life, and doesn't hold on to the past. And if you liked today's story, let us know your impressions and any other facts you possess. Let's discuss it together. Don't forget to subscribe and we wish you to enjoy your day to the fullest.