A Historic 40-Carat Diamond Ring Was Stolen From the French Royal Family

Painting, Beauty, Art, Fashion, Portrait, Dress, Visual arts, Modern art, Tourist attraction, Mythology,

(Image credit: Archives)

published 6 April 2019

According to French newspaper Le Parisian, police in Paris opened an investigation this week into the theft of a heirloom ring belonging to Countess Olympia von Arco-Zinneberg. (opens in new tab) Valued at over one million euros (roughly $1.1 million), the missing ring is set with a precious Bonaparte diamond. The stolen ring is a centuries-old French heirloom, and features a dazzling 40-carat diamond plucked from the crown of Napoleon III's wife (and Prince Jean-Christophe's ancestor), Empress Eugenie, pictured above.

The ring had been gifted to the Countess by her fiancé Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon, who also happens to be the great-nephew of Emperor Napoleon I of France. Prince Jean-Christophe's official title as the head of the former Imperial House of France basically means that if the country were to revert from a democratic republic to monarchy, for whatever reason, he would be a shoo-in for the throne.

The countess' ring was stolen from a car in the 6th District, according to Le Parisian. The ring, along with a number of bank cards and forms of identification, as well as a computer, was in a bag that was stolen.

Here's the Countess at a 2014 wedding.

Fashion, Dress, Street fashion, Event, Suit, Footwear, Little black dress, Leg, Photography, White-collar worker,

This isn't the first major jewelry theft in Paris to make headlines—Kim Kardashian was also the victim of a violent robbery (opens in new tab) in 2016. Men impersonating police officers stole almost $10 million from the reality star, including a $4.49 million ring that she received as a present from her husband Kaye West. The criminals were never caught, and it was suspected that they may have made their escape to Belgium.

Hair, Headpiece, Hair accessory, Clothing, Hairstyle, Beauty, Tiara, Fashion accessory, Chin, Headgear,

All the Royal Family's Most Gorgeous Tiaras: Your Official Guide to Who Owns What

French officials looking into the case of Countess Olympia's missing ring are hoping that this investigation will have a different outcome, no doubt in part thanks to the high-profile nature of those involved.

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

SUBSCRIBE HERE (opens in new tab)