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Shining stars in Gödöllő: Queen Sisi's legendary diamond edelweiss flowers
Szabó Sára
A hairstyle that lit up the ballroom
The year is 1865. We are in Dresden, where Queen Elisabeth's younger brother, Prince Charles Theodor, is getting married. The guests are watching the queen in awe – perhaps even more than the bride herself. Sisi's hair crown – about which all of Europe hymned the praise of – is adorned with 27 brilliant diamond stars. The dazzling sight not only served as the basis for the ceremony, but also for one of Sisi's most famous portraits: in Franz Xaver Winterhalter's famous painting, these stars shine in her hair. The unusual jewellery pieces follow shapes inspired by nature: they are modelled after the queen's favourite flower, the edelweiss – the star-shaped, diamond-encrusted gems almost lit up the evening!
The revival of the Köchert legacy
We now know that the collection of 27 pieces, each about 3.5 cm in diameter, was made by Alexander Emanuel Köchert, official jeweller to the Viennese court, on commission from Franz Joseph. Nothing proves this better than a photograph from 1902 of the bridal trousseau of Archduke Rudolf’s daughter, Archduchess Elisabeth Maria of Habsburg-Lorraine. This photo shows an original Köchert jewellery box opened, containing the 27 diamond stars that Queen Elisabeth had left to the Archduchess as a legacy. According to recollections, Sisi not only wore the dazzling jewels herself, but also gave some of the stars as gifts. One Christmas evening, Mária Festetics wrote in her diary: “She handed me a small jewellery box. I found a diamond star in it, which she gave me with a tender kiss.”
The Köchert House not only served the imperial family, but it still preserves the legacy: since 2007, the Sisi stars have been re-manufactured, this time using precious metals and Swarovski crystals. Today, anyone can acquire this wonderful piece of jewellery – they are available in the gift shop of the Royal Castle of Gödöllő as well as on the website kiralyikastely.hu, in the form of brooches, earrings or hair ornaments.
Sisi's secrets in Gödöllő
Hungary was particularly close to Queen Elizabeth's heart, and when she visited our country, she felt truly at home in Gödöllő. The baroque palace built by Antal Grassalkovich I became known as the royal residence of Franz Joseph I and Sisi: in the Royal Castle of Gödöllő, Sisi found the peace that the Viennese court etiquette deprived her of. Here she could walk undisturbed, ride horses in the castle park, and enjoy Hungarian hospitality.
Around 40 monuments, 100 memorial parks and groves were created in Hungary in honour of Queen Elizabeth. Of these, the park in Gödöllő was inaugurated among the first ones, in 1901, with a full-length statue of the queen.
If you are a true Sisi fan, Gödöllő is an excellent destination, as the castle still stands as a worthy monument to the queen. In the permanent exhibition Elisabeth's suites, period furniture, clothing and personal items help you recall Sisi's everyday life, while the programme called Experience Walk with Queen Elisabeth allows you to tour the residence as "Her Majesty's guest". During the guided tour, you can learn secrets such as how heavy her coronation dress was, how long it took to make her hairstyle, and what her relationship with Gyula Andrássy and Ferenc Deák was like.
Hello Hungary tip: In December 2025, a new temporary exhibition will open in the castle, the theme of which is: the imperial jewels of the Köchert family. Among the wonderful objects, of course, the legendary diamond stars will also be included. The exhibition not only presents the world of jewellery, but also provides insight into the masterful work of the creators and the fashion policy of the 19th century. The exhibition can be an excellent opportunity to admire the jewellery that was once worn by one of the most beautiful and mysterious queens in the world.
