Habsburg imperial jewels revealed after 80 years in Quebec bank

A collection of fifteen royal jewels belonging to the Habsburg imperial family has been revealed after remaining hidden in a Quebec bank for approximately 80 years. The treasure is currently on display at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) as part of the exhibition ‘Un trésor caché. Un siècle de mystère’, which runs until January 2027.

The collection’s history is tied to Zita of Bourbon-Parme, the last Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, who sought refuge in Quebec City from 1940 to 1948 while fleeing Nazi advances in Europe. The jewels, which include items once owned by Marie-Antoinette and Emperor Francis I, were placed in a local bank vault by the family and their existence remained a secret known only to direct descendants until recently.

A centerpiece of the exhibition is the Florentine diamond, a 137.27-carat pale yellow stone recognized as one of the largest diamonds in the world. The diamond’s ownership is currently a subject of diplomatic interest, with claims being made by both Austria and Italy.