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Several pieces of jewelry belonging to the late Princess Birgitta are scheduled for auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva on November 11. A Swedish magazine reports that King Carl XVI Gustaf is upset about the sale, but the palace’s response and whether he will bid have not been confirmed in the supplied report.
Sotheby’s plans to auction several jewels owned by the late Princess Birgitta in Geneva on November 11, including a sapphire and diamond necklace and matching earrings given to her by her mother, Princess Sibylla. A Swedish magazine reports that King Carl XVI Gustaf is upset by the decision, but the account does not include a statement from the King or the Royal Court confirming his reaction.
The sapphire and diamond necklace-and-earring set is expected to sell for $363,000 to $605,000, according to the report. Birgitta wore the necklace at the weddings of her nieces, Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria. Its family history and public appearances make it the most prominent item identified in the planned sale.
Other pieces listed for auction include an heirloom pearl necklace, a pink sapphire brooch and a christening gift Birgitta received from Prince Bertil. The report describes that gift as dating to the mid-19th century. It does not provide a full catalogue, the names of the sellers or details about how the pieces came to be consigned.
Historian Herman Lindqvist told the Swedish magazine Svensk Damtidning that he was “sure” the King would be unhappy, while the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Johan T. Lindwall, characterized the sale as contrary to the King’s values. Those are their assessments; the source report does not establish that the King was informed in advance or quote him directly.
Family Heirlooms Enter the Market
The planned sale puts jewelry with documented ties to Sweden’s royal family into a public auction, where it may pass to private buyers. The necklace’s estimated range of $363,000 to $605,000 underscores its potential market value, while its association with Princess Sibylla and Birgitta gives it a separate family and historical significance.
The reported dispute also highlights a distinction between personal ownership and family sentiment. The source does not explain the legal or estate arrangements governing Birgitta’s belongings, so it is not possible to establish from this account who has authority over the pieces or whether other family members were consulted. The King’s reported feelings should not be treated as proof of a formal objection or an attempt to stop the auction.
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Birgitta’s Life and the Jewelry
Princess Birgitta was one of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s four sisters. She died in 2024, according to the report, after spending the final three decades of her life on Mallorca. The King described her as a “colorful and outspoken person” in remarks cited by the source.
The necklace at the center of the report was a gift from Princess Sibylla, the King and Birgitta’s mother. Birgitta wore it at two high-profile royal weddings, making it recognizable beyond its value as jewelry. The auction account also mentions Birgitta’s sister Princess Margaretha and the late Prince Bertil in connection with the family and the other pieces, but gives no further details about the jewels’ ownership history.
““Personal valuables tied to personal memories should not be sold that way. It could be handled more discreetly and privately.””
— Historian Herman Lindqvist, speaking to Svensk Damtidning
Royal Court Response Not Reported
The supplied report does not include comment from King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Swedish Royal Court, Sotheby’s or the people arranging the sale. It also does not independently verify the claim that the King was not told in advance. The characterization that he is angry comes through the magazine’s sources and commentary rather than a direct statement from him.
It remains unclear who owns or is selling each item, whether the family has discussed the decision privately, and whether the auction details or estimates could change. The source also does not establish whether the King will bid or seek to keep any of the pieces within the family.
Auction Date and Sale Details
The next confirmed milestone in the source account is the November 11 auction in Geneva. Sotheby’s catalogue and sale results would be needed to verify the final lots, their realized prices and whether the named pieces are sold, withdrawn or bought by a member of the royal family.
Until the King, the Royal Court or the auction organizers comment, his reported objection and any possible bid remain unconfirmed. The supplied report does not specify the auction year, so readers should check Sotheby’s current sale information for the date and catalogue status.
Key Questions
Which Princess Birgitta jewels are scheduled for auction?
The report names a sapphire and diamond necklace with matching earrings, an heirloom pearl necklace, a pink sapphire brooch and a christening gift from Prince Bertil.
Why is the sapphire set significant?
Princess Sibylla gave the set to Birgitta as a wedding gift. Birgitta later wore its necklace to the weddings of Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria.
Has King Carl XVI Gustaf confirmed that he opposes the sale?
No direct statement from the King appears in the supplied report. The claim that he is upset is attributed to commentary and sources cited by Svensk Damtidning.
Will the King buy the jewelry?
That is not confirmed. Magazine editor-in-chief Johan T. Lindwall speculated that the King might bid, but no decision or intention was reported directly from the King or the Royal Court.
When is the auction?
The report gives November 11 in Geneva but does not specify the year. Sotheby’s current catalogue should be checked for the operative date and lot details.
Source: marieclaire.com
