Princess Caroline of Monaco has sparked outrage online after wearing a controversial piece of jewellery to an art event. She attended the exhibition at the Monte-Carlo Casino in a black dress. Pinned to her outfit was a blackamoor brooch showing the head of a Black man.
Critics Call It Racist
Many social media users criticized her choice. They said she appeared to celebrate Europe’s colonial history through her fashion. According to EDA TV, the brooch sent the wrong message.
Caroline holds the title of Princess of Hanover through her marriage to Prince Ernst August. She was at the event to honor French artist Marcel Duchamp. Her daughter Alexandra and Alexandra’s boyfriend Ben Sylvester Strautmann joined her.
What Is Blackamoor Jewellery?
Blackamoor jewellery includes items like brooches, earrings, and statues. These objects usually show stylized Black or Moorish figures in servant-like positions. Artisans often use materials like ebony, onyx, or dark enamel to make them.
According to Vanitatis, a Spanish media outlet, blackamoor art became popular in Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries. Wealthy Europeans collected these pieces as a status symbol.
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Why People Find It Offensive
Today, many see blackamoor jewellery as offensive. Critics argue that the figures do not represent real people. Instead, they reflect colonial power and racial stereotypes. Most of the time, the figures appear in submissive or decorative roles, which reinforce outdated ideas of racial superiority.
The Brooch May Have Belonged to Grace Kelly
Reports suggest the brooch worn by Princess Caroline once belonged to her mother, Grace Kelly. According to Vanitatis, Kelly asked Italian jeweller Giulio Nardi to make a blackamoor piece.
Despite rising awareness, some royals still wear this type of jewellery. In 2017, Princess Michael of Kent wore a blackamoor brooch to a Christmas banquet at Buckingham Palace. After criticism, she apologized.
Others Who Wore Blackamoor Pieces
Several other public figures have worn blackamoor jewellery in the past. This includes Queen Paola of Belgium, actress Ingrid Bergman, and Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor.
