Glittering Royal Jewels at the Grand Egyptian Museum Opening in Cairo

Last weekend, a major museum opening in Cairo brought royals from across the globe to Egypt. We were treated to royal jewels from Denmark, Jordan, Italy, Thailand, and Japan at the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum. 

The museum has been in the making for decades. Announced more than 30 years ago, construction on the facility was begun in 2005 and finally finished two years ago. After a soft opening in 2024, the official opening ceremony was eventually scheduled for November 1, 2025.

Located near the Giza Pyramid Complex, the museum contains remarkable treasures. The atrium holds an enormous statue of Ramesses the Great, and rooms tell the story of Egypt from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman era. One of the big highlights is the gold Mask of Tutankhamun, which was rediscovered by archaeologists almost exactly a century ago.

The guest list for the opening ceremony was impressive. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and his wife, Entissar Amer Al Sisi, welcomed heads of state from around the world, including members of several royal families.

Among the royal guests in attendance were the Queen of Denmark and the Prince of Monaco, both of whom are pictured here during a group photo session. Behind them is another familiar face, the recently-retired Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

And in this photograph, you’ll be able to pick out more royals: the King of Spain and the King of the Belgians in the front row, and two rows back, Japan’s Princess Akiko of Mikasa. Also present were the Queen of Jordan and her younger daughter, Princess Salma, plus Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand and Carlo and Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Queen Mary wore a white lace blouse and skirt from Zimmerman for the ceremony, per UFO No More, paired with blue and white accessories.

She accessorized with diamonds and aquamarines. Her diamond floral pendant earrings, which have been in her jewelry box for the better part of a decade, were acquired from an auction at Bruun Rasmussen in December 2016. She also wore a pair of diamond wing bracelets from the brand Annikat, which she debuted at the Swedish royal wedding in 2013, and a major aquamarine cocktail ring. She memorably wore one of the bracelets and the ring in Stockholm during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2023.

Photos from the gathering were shared by several guests on their Instagram accounts. Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies shared this snap with her husband, Carlo, and Queen Mary. The couples are longtime friends, and Carlo is one of the godfathers of Mary’s younger daughter, Princess Josephine.

Camilla also shared this picture with Queen Rania of Jordan. Both ladies wore red, and Camilla wore a fabulous belle epoque-era necklace set with rubies and diamonds. The necklace has been in her collection for many years, and she memorably wore it with her ruby dragonfly tiara at the princely wedding reception in Monaco in 2011.

Queen Rania wore a pair of gem-set earrings, but they were largely hidden by her hair. She also wore jeweled rings on both hands. Princess Salma wore a black dress with gold accessories, including a golden statement necklace with charms.

Standing behind Princess Salma and Camilla in this photograph is Princess Sirivannavari, daughter of the King of Thailand. She wore traditional Thai jewelry, including a long golden chain draped over her left shoulder and a gold and diamond brooch, as well as bejeweled hair ornaments.

And here’s a look at the jewels worn by Princess Akiko of Mikasa, a cousin of the Emperor of Japan. She wore a single strand of pearls and a modern brooch with a blue dress and jacket for the ceremony.

Before I go today, a quick note on this weekend’s programming. This weekend in Britain, the royal family will be in attendance at the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday and the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

I have a special historical jewelry article scheduled for Saturday morning for those who are subscribers over at Hidden Gems. Rather than the usual bonus article here, I’ll be posting articles over the course of the weekend about the two Remembrance events. Check back here often to make sure you don’t miss them!

Also, psst, speaking of Substack: I shared a free edition of Hidden Gems today with a rundown of interesting royal jewelry items, including the astonishing reemergence of the Florentine Diamond! Don’t miss it!