German nobility celebrates a special day today as their ‘it girl’ Gloria von Thurn und Taxis celebrates her 64th birthday. Born Countess Gloria von Schönburg-Glauchau, she is the daughter of Joachim, Count of Schönburg-Glauchau, a descendant of the princes of the Holy Roman Empire; and Beatrix, Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau, a Hungarian noblewoman. Sometimes nicknamed the ‘punk princess’ she became a style icon and a huge fixture for fashion magazines during her heyday. She rubbed shoulders with Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, former Vogue editor André Leon Talley and Hilary Clinton. Vanity Fair gave her the nickname, ‘Princess TNT of Bavaria’. Equal parts Helena Bonham Carter and Princess Diana, she struck the socialite community with her outgoing personality and her rambunctious punk aesthetic. These days, she is known as a Catholic activist and proselyte.
In 1980, she married Johannes von Thurn and Taxis, a German businessman, who was once the head of the house of Thurn und Taxis. 34 years her senior (he was 53, she was 19), he was the largest landowner in the whole of Germany. The couple shared three children, Princess Marie, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Albert. They were married for 10 years, until his death in 1990 at the age of 64. She has not remarried since.
Throughout the years, she has been defined by her forthright style. Most notably, her headpieces have become a part of the inimitable image she has crafted.
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On her wedding day, she wore Empress Eugenie’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, it was crafted to commemorate his third and final marriage to Eugénie de Montijo. Today, the tiara is on display at the Louvre after the Princess put it up for auction and it was purchased by Friends of the Louvre.
Another favourite pick in the Princess' headgear drawer is the Ruby tiara. As its name suggests, the piece is peppered with ruby clusters. As part of her extravagant, eccentric fashion choices, this was a frequent feature in the Princess’ get-up. Though some of the jewels have been sold off, the tiara is still in the Princess' possession. Both Princess Gloria and her daughter Princess Marie have been known to wear it on several occasions.
Today, Princess Gloria's is more dedicated to her faith than shaking up the fashion world. However, she remains a high society staple, being seen in the last few years heading off to Hilary Clinton's birthday. She spends much of her time (when not campaigning on the Pope's part) maintaining her jet set status in New York and other cosmopolitan centres, whilst keeping a chic HQ at her palatial home in Rome.
