Overview
- The Habsburg family confirmed a cache of private jewels was located in a Québec bank safe‑deposit box, with newly released images showing the collection.
- An assessment by jeweller Christoph Köchert, reported to the New York Times, found the Florentiner diamond’s weight, cut and fitting align with historical records.
- Empress Zita’s instruction to keep the items secret until a century after Emperor Karl I’s death meant only a small circle knew the location, and Karl Habsburg learned of it only recently from cousins.
- The family says the collection will be publicly shown in Canada and declines to assign a monetary value, citing historical and cultural significance.
- Several historically referenced pieces are not present, and Austria’s vice chancellor announced a review of whether any items qualify as state property under the Habsburg Law, with potential steps to seek their return if applicable.