Images of crushed royal crown released by Louvre

Officials at the Louvre Museum in Paris have released images of a royal crown that was left damaged and deformed after being abandoned by thieves during the brazen robbery late last year.

Empress Eugénie’s crown was discarded on a path outside following a burglary at the Louvre Museum in October. The crown, owned by Napoleon III’s wife, was one of nine royal ornaments stolen.

It was the only item recovered. Commissioned for the 1855 Universal Exhibition, the gold crown, which features eight sculpted eagles and is set with emeralds and diamonds, sustained significant damage. Its diamond-encrusted arches were bent or torn off, the jewelled cross was tilted, and one gold eagle is missing.

The Louvre will invite restorers to submit repair proposals, which an expert committee will review. Olivier Gabet, decorative arts director, told The New York Times that the initial restoration is estimated at $USD47,000, with most costs attributed to labour since nearly all components were recovered.

A police investigation has resulted in charges against five individuals; however, none of the stolen jewellery has been recovered. The crown is expected to be restored and returned to public display by the end of the year.

The Louvre issued the first photos of the crown since the raid, showing the damage it sustained.


One of the crown's golden eagles is missing but all the emeralds and most of the diamonds remain.


The undamaged crown of French Empress Eugenie - seen here in a photograph from 2025