On October 30, 2025, the Count of Paris released a video asking the thieves who robbed the Louvre to return the stolen jewels that had once belonged to his family. For 164 years, this gorgeous set of sapphire and diamond jewels had belonged to the Orléans family, where they adorned five generations of strong, intelligent women. This is the story of who owned these jewels, who wore them, and how they came to the Louvre.
Think of these posts as rabbit holes – tidbits of information I stumbled on that led me somewhere unexpected. These stories are too good not to share, even if the women involved aren’t wearing tiaras. For example, when I found a reference to a vampire princess in 18th century Bohemia, I dropped what I was doing to figure out whether it was full of scheisse or a story worth telling. All these stories are jaw-dropping, heartbreaking, hilarious, or all of the above. I hope you enjoy them.
Two Queens, One Ghost: The Black Lady of Darmstadt
There’s a famous ghost known as the Black Lady of Darmstadt, said to appear to members of the ruling families of Hesse and Bavaria as a warning of impending death. Like most ghost stories, the details seem to fade and change with each retelling. But what’s the fun in fact-checking a ghost story? Some things are better left to the imagination, like the two haunted tales I’m about to share with you. They’re inspired by the same event and took place within weeks of each other. If they’re true, the Black Lady had her work cut out for her during that long-ago summer of 1854.
Alexandra Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein: The Kaiser’s Forgotten Daughter-in-Law
As the wife of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s fourth son, she had wealth, privilege, and status – but what she wanted was freedom, happiness, and love. She struggled to make ends meet, but never gave up on herself or her dream.
Charlotte, Princess Royal: Part 2
A woman’s dream forever shattered. A kingdom’s fight for survival. A painful truth that could never be told.
Charlotte, Princess Royal: Part 1
There’s a famous six-word short story often attributed to Ernest Hemingway: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” If you think about what those words mean, every interpretation is heartbreaking. But one royal woman lived those words. This is her story.
The Next Empress of France – Napoleon vs the Romanovs: Part 2
As Napoleon tightened his grip on Europe, Alexander of Russia attempted to slip out of it – taking his youngest sister, Anna, with him.
The Next Empress of France – Napoleon vs the Romanovs: Part 1
Between Josephine and Marie Louise, Napoleon had another choice for the next Empress of France: a Russian grand duchess.
Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i: Part 4
A rebellion, a famous fire, a secret engagement, and a fateful ride…let’s find out how Ka‘iulani’s story ends and how many of her mother Likelike’s deathbed predictions came true.
Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i: Part 3
Continue the story of Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i as the Hawaiian revolution unseats her aunt and leaves her adrift…until she decides to take action and becomes a worldwide celebrity because of it.
Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i: Part 2
Continue the story of Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i as she leaves her country to go to school in England. How do you learn to be a queen? And what do you do when your destiny seems out of reach, over 7,000 miles away?
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