Sophie of Württemberg Queen of the Netherlands|The Queen Who Asked to Be Buried in Her Wedding Dress
The Queen Who Asked to Be Buried in Her Wedding Dress — and the Rubies That Outlived Her Whole Line
Her Three Sons All Died Childless — But Her Jewels Are Still Worn Today
What if one of the most influential royal jewellery collections in Europe belonged to a queen history almost forgot?
This is the remarkable story of Sophie of Württemberg (1818–1877), Queen of the Netherlands — the brilliant, controversial woman known as the "Red Queen." Forced into an unhappy marriage with King William III, Sophie asked to be buried in her wedding dress, believing her life had ended the day she became his wife.
Yet while her dynasty disappeared, her jewels survived.
Discover how Sophie's extraordinary collection of rubies, pearls, diamonds, and heirloom jewels passed through generations of the Dutch royal family and are still worn today by Queen Máxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Queen Beatrix, Queen Juliana, Queen Wilhelmina, Queen Emma, and Princess Irene.
In this video you'll discover:
The true story behind the Ruby Peacock Tiara and why its famous "rubies" may actually be historic spinels.
The difference between the Ruby Peacock Parure and the Mellerio Ruby Parure—two Dutch ruby collections that are constantly confused.
The fascinating history of the Pearl Button Tiara, the Dutch Star Tiara, the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara, and the beautiful Ears of Wheat Tiara.
How jewels inherited from Queen Catherine of Württemberg eventually became bridal tiaras for Dutch princesses.
Why Sophie requested burial in her original wedding gown—and the heartbreaking story behind that final wish.
Travel through nearly two centuries of European royal history, from Ludwigsburg Palace in Stuttgart to Huis ten Bosch Palace, Noordeinde Palace, Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, the Royal Crypt in Delft, and modern state banquets attended by the Dutch royal family.
Featuring:
• Sophie of Württemberg
• King William III of the Netherlands
• Queen Emma
• Queen Wilhelmina
• Queen Juliana
• Queen Beatrix
• Queen Máxima
• Princess Catharina-Amalia
• Princess Irene
• Princess Margriet
• Prince Alexander
• John Lothrop Motley
• Napoleon III
• Empress Eugénie
• Johann Eduard Schürmann & Co.
• Mellerio dits Meller
• Oscar Massin
• Martijn Akkerman
If you love royal history, European monarchies, royal jewellery, tiaras, crowns, heirloom gemstones, and the hidden stories behind famous royal collections, this is a story you won't want to miss.