Swedish State visit to Portugal; 5-7 May 2008

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Any ideas about the tiara? I can't recall D.Isabel ever wearing it before.

She has used it before as a necklace. Check this post, in the thread Bragança Royal Jewels.

And do you know what orders she and D.Duarte are wearing?

D. Duarte's sach is from the Royal Order of Our Lady of Conception of Vila Viçosa and D.ª Isabel is wearing the sach of the Order of Saint Isabel.

[Elsa M.]

This comes a bit late, but here's an article about the painting offered by the Prime Minister, José Sócrates:
DN Online: O QUADRO DADO À COROA SUECA


A portrait of Empress Amélie de Beauharnais (second wife of King D. Pedro IV of Portugal / Emperor Pedro I of Brazil), entitled The Imperial Rose of an Order, was offered by José Sócrates to the King and Queen of Sweden.

The choice of this picture has some explanations: the painting reproduces a portrait that is hanged on the walls of the Palace of Queluz and Empress Amélie (who was so beautiful that D. Pedro created the Imperial Order of the Rose, to honour her beauty) was the eldest sister of Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway. Moreover, Queen Silvia's Brazilian mother descends from Portuguese explorers and she had lived in São Paulo, between the age of 4 and 14.

The painting that was offered to the Swedish Crown is a characteristic work by João Figueiredo, a 37 year-old Portuguese painter, who dedicates himself to recreate classic portraits, by applying modern techniques.

[Boris]

Thank you very much for this additional information, Elsa!
Now this is indeed a very thoughtful present on the occasion of a state visit, taking into account the Royal couple's family history on both sides.
It's a pity that the article doesnt show the painting of Empress Amélie itself, I'd love to see it.

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by Boris

It's a pity that the article doesnt show the painting of Empress Amélie itself, I'd love to see it.

I don't have a photo of the recreated portrait, but I have one of the original picture that is hanged in Queluz:

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8...harnaisia1.jpg


I believe João Figueiredo's work was adorned with Swarovski crystals, since that's one of his most characteristic techniques.