Louvre Museum in France: Stolen Eugenie Crown Damaged but Suitable for Complete Restoration

The Louvre Museum in France recently announced that the Eugénie Crown, recovered from the 2025 theft at the Louvre, is nearly intact despite being deformed by squeezing, and is suitable for overall restoration. The announcement stated that the crown’s frame has changed shape, but only one decorative component is missing, so it can be fully restored without reconstruction or replacement. The restoration mainly involves reshaping the frame.

The announcement cited an initial assessment report indicating that the crown may have been squeezed when forcibly removed from the display case opening and then subjected to a strong impact, causing the frame to deform. The original crown features eight gold eagle ornaments and eight palm leaf decorations alternating with diamonds and emeralds. Currently, one gold eagle ornament and about ten small diamonds around the base are missing.

The announcement said that the crown’s restoration will be carried out in accordance with French laws and regulations through a tender process to select qualified restorers. An expert advisory committee will be established to provide recommendations on the restoration plan and methods. The committee will be led by the current Louvre Director Laurence de Carle and will include the head of the Louvre’s art collection department, jewelry historians, and other experts, with invitations extended to representatives of French jewelry dynasties.

On the morning of October 19, 2025, four masked individuals arrived outside the Louvre, coordinated to operate a lifting device, and infiltrated the building through an external balcony, stealing nine pieces of jewelry within minutes. One of the stolen items, Queen Eugénie’s crown, has been recovered by the police. To date, all four suspects identified at the scene have been apprehended. (Xinhua)