Royal controversy: Princess Caroline of Monaco wears blackamoor brooch with racist past
Caroline, the hereditary Princess of Monaco and Princess of Hanover by her marriage to Prince Ernst August, has been accused of glorifying Europe's colonial past with her choice of jewellery, reported EDA TV.
A post shared by GrimaldiCasiraghi (@grimaldicasiraghi)
The 68-year-old Princess Caroline wore the blackamoor brooch to the Monte-Carlo Casino last week for an event honouring French painter and sculptor Marcel Duchamp. She was accompanied by her daughter Alexandra and Alexandra's boyfriend, Ben Sylvester Strautmann.
Blackamoor jewellery refers to decorative art and adornments – most often brooches, earrings, or figurines – that depict stylised African or Moorish figures. These figures are often depicted in servile poses and crafted from materials like ebony, onyx, or dark enamel.
According to a report in Spanish entertainment portal Vanitatis, blackamoor jewellery became popular during the 16th and 19th centuries. This type of jewellery was once very common, but has fallen into disfavour for its racial connotations and stereotypical portrayals of people of colour.
Critics argue that blackamoor images were not intended to reflect real individuals, but rather to serve as symbols of wealth, conquest, and dominance of the Eurocentric gaze. As such, blackamoor figures were typically shown in submissive or ornamental roles.
The brooch worn by Princess Caroline likely belonged to her mother, Grace Kelly, who – according to Vanitatis – commissioned a piece from jeweler Giulio Nardi.
Despite the criticism it has received, several European royals have been photographed wearing examples of blackamoor jewellery. Most recently, Princess Michael of Kent wore a blackamoor brooch to a Christmas banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2017. She later apologized for wearing it.
Queen Paola of Belgium, Ingrid Bergman, and Elizabeth Taylor have all been known to own pieces of blackamoor jewellery.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
A medley of bold strokes and bright colours at art expo
A medley of bold brush strokes, bright colours and angular shapes, often reminiscent of the expressionist style, define the art of Alain Gambier, who goes by the moniker A* Gaambal. An expo — 'Glut 0.2 Fraternité, où es-tu?' (Brotherhood, Where are You?) — showcases a selection of the French artist's works at the Alliance Francaise. Though he sometimes resorts to figurative art, his preferred style is abstract. The artist believes that an abstract work of art has the capacity to trigger unbounded interpretations in the viewers. And, in life as in art, he has this uncanny ability to shift from artivist to a free spirit always looking to spread fun and laughter. Not surprising for someone who takes his life code from the Charlie Chaplin maxim 'A day without laughter is a day wasted,' finding and spreading joy and happiness is central to his artistic pursuits. A spinoff of this has been a fun video series titled 'Glut' that evolved 'as a family play with art and words'. A Glut logo was designed by his artist-nephew Koumar David as a sort of signature to mark out his body of artworks. It wasn't long before a Glut YouTube channel was launched to present some of his work in a comical-absurdist mode, where 'the artwok itself is a character'. A. Gaamblar is quite in his elements when he forays into the realm of the absurd as he does in some of these art-based video segments. In one such segment, the artist pretend-pushes on a painting of vertical piano keys to the background score of 'O Fortuna', a medieval poem from the 13th century Carmina Burana collection that was set to music by German composer Carl Orff. For him, in this ongoing mad world, absurd is what can re-open the field of possibilities. The absurd and art combined make the frontiers between living beings vanish and lead to the surge of shared happiness, he feels. The artist is also popular for establishing the Glutotel Homestay, a boutique eco-living space near Auroville, featuring unique 'Glut' rooms with teak woodwork and lit up by art works. One of his works has also been used as illustration for a new French work of fiction, 'Les Etats D'âme Du Caméléon' of his spouse, Yamouna David, past practicising lawyer at the Paris Bar and daughter of former Madras High Court Judge and author David Annoussamy. In order to raise the fun quotient and make the expo more participatory, the artist, along with the hosts, have organised a fun contest where a reward awaits visitors who come up with the fancy titles for the contemporary art works. The best title tip will get a prize at the valedictory of the expo on August 6.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Pocket-sized fun, fame: Instagram loves urban India's micro-pet affair
Eight-year-old Mahi (name changed) from Bengaluru has found an unusual best friend—her four-inch-long pet sugar glider, Tofu. Every evening, she gently feeds Tofu tiny slices of apple and watches him glide between curtains and small marsupial clings to her shoulder during homework and even sleeps in a soft pouch stitched into her hoodie. 'He's not just a pet—he's my secret buddy, my flying pocket friend who listens to all my silly stories,' she says. Their bond, forged in silence and tiny jumps, has made Mahi more patient and happier, say her love affair with pets is no longer confined to dogs and cats—it's now hopping, scuttling and chirping into micropet territory. From dwarf rabbits and hamsters to exotic miniature birds, hedgehogs, gerbils, chinchillas, pygmy mice, geckos, anoles, African dwarf frogs, axolotls, hermit crabs, degus and Australian sugar gliders, small pets have become the new companionship, the micro-pet trend thrives on social media spectacle. Tiny pets are more apt to fit into apartments, generate 'cute' content and align with the aspirational lifestyle of young professionals. Microinfluencers tag pets in fashion stories, cafe visits and themed reels to show off pet hamsters in tiny hoodies, parrots on macrame swings, turtles with bow-ties on and dwarf rabbits with tuxedos. Specialty brands offer miniature carriers, custom food mixes, pawdicure kits for small animals and even 'pet influencer kits' complete with LED-lit cages and cameo backgrounds for reel-ready animal selfies. But fashion meets function too—cooling vests for hedgehogs and harnesses for sugar gliders are becoming popular among serious pet parents. While critics raise concerns about animal comfort, fans say micro-pet fashion is about joy, bonding and share-worthy cuteness is not cheap, though. In metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, customers are paying anywhere from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000 for a miniature rabbit, Rs 1,500 to Rs 15,000 for hamsters or sugar gliders, and Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 for exotic birds or reptiles. The variety is broad—from mini Pitbull puppies to bearded dragons, parakeets and miniature some estimates, India's broader pet-care market, valued at $720million (around Rs 6,300 crore), is projected to shoot up to $25billion (Rs 2.18 lakh crore) by 2032, driven by premiumisation and the urban pet culture. The exotic/small pets segment, valued at $42.6million (around Rs 375 crore) in 2024, is expected to grow to around $76 million (Rs 665 crore) by that there are no challenges post-purchase. Experts warn that exotic pets often require specialised habitats, heating, dietary routines and veterinary care, which many urban owners underestimate. 'They look so innocent, but they poop like machines. I sweep five times a day, and it still feels like a poop sewage tank exploded,' says 20-year-old Mumbai student Bhavana friend of Bhavana reports similar experiences. 'No one tells you that turtle poop smells like wet socks dipped in vomit. And you need tweezers sometimes to clean the tank,' says Ananya Das, also risks, especially from reptiles, also demand extreme caution. Pet abandonment spikes during monsoon months due to increased illness, vet costs or lack of pet-friendly housing—highlighted in Pune and other cities by the small-pet trend in India is more than a passing fad. It reflects the urban youth's desire for low-maintenance companionship and Instagrammable novelty. But the journey from impulse buy to responsible ownership isn't easy. Veterinary gaps, welfare concerns and regulatory shortcomings risk turning adorable pets into abandoned burdens. While the exotic-pet market is booming, experts urge buyers to treat cute creatures as long-term commitments, not just doodads for social to India Today Magazine- Ends
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Worth Rs 119 Crore, This Lipstick Comes With 1,200 Diamonds And Lifetime Refills
Last Updated: H Couture Beauty's Diamond Lipstick, priced at Rs 119 crore, includes lifetime refills, 24x7 support, and an 18-carat gold case with 1,200 pink diamonds It's not just makeup but a mansion in a tube. Priced at an eye-watering Rs 119 crore (roughly $14 million), the H Couture Beauty Diamond Lipstick holds the title of the world's most expensive lipstick. To put it in perspective, the same amount could fetch you a plush apartment in Delhi-NCR's elite neighbourhoods, or even two. Created by American luxury brand H Couture Beauty, the lipstick was a custom order for the wife of a billionaire whose identity remains a mystery. But what has made it global news isn't just the price tag, it's what that price includes – a lifetime of free refills and beauty service, along with access to 24×7 customer support. Buy once, use forever. Founded in 2006 by Taysha Smith-Vallez, H Couture Beauty built its name on ultra-luxury, bespoke cosmetic products. While most of the industry focuses on formulas and finishes, this lipstick takes opulence to another level with packaging that resembles a royal heirloom more than a vanity item. The case is crafted from 18-carat gold and encrusted with 1,200 pink diamonds, designed exclusively upon request and open to further personalisation. The product isn't sold on shelves, it's created on special order, with the buyer having the option to customise the case with additional gems or designs. Unsurprisingly, the brand's clientele includes billionaires, A-list celebrities, and high-net-worth collectors of rare beauty memorabilia. As the luxury cosmetics market expands, valued at $3.91 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $5.58 billion by 2030, ultra-premium items like this continue to push boundaries. Analysts attribute the steep prices in this segment to not just better formulas and exotic ingredients but also high-end packaging, limited editions, and brand heritage. French cosmetics house Guerlain also entered the elite tier with a lipstick priced at around Rs 51 lakh. Its case features 199 diamonds and 18-carat gold, with full customisation options including engraved names. Another luxe entry: a refillable Swarovski crystal-studded lipstick available for Rs 33,000. view comments First Published: August 04, 2025, 18:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
