The Louvre Museum has unveiled the first photographic evidence of Empress Eugenie’s historic crown following its damaging ordeal during an October heist. While the 19th-century treasure sustained significant deformation when thieves attempted to extract it through a narrowly sawn hole in its display case, museum authorities confirm the piece remains “nearly intact” and fully restorable.
The diamond-studded headpiece, belonging to the wife of Napoleon III, was abandoned during the thieves’ escape route despite the gang making off with an estimated €88 million in royal jewels. Current assessment reveals the crown retains all 56 emeralds and 1,344 of its original 1,354 diamonds, though one of eight golden eagles adorning the piece remains missing.
Museum President Laurence des Cars will lead an expert committee supervising the restoration process, which officials confirm will return the crown to its original state without requiring complete reconstruction. The October 19th heist involved perpetrators using a stolen vehicle-mounted lift to access the Gallery of Apollo via a Seine-facing balcony, where they threatened guards and cut through two display cases containing French imperial jewelry.
Despite four suspects being in custody, prosecutors acknowledge the mastermind remains at large while seven other stolen items—including Eugenie’s tiara and various necklaces—remain unrecovered. The entire operation lasted less than four minutes before the thieves escaped on waiting scooters.