The Louvre Museum has released photographs of the crown of French Empress Eugenie, which was damaged during the high-profile heist last year. Despite the damage, the museum assures that the crown will be restored, and it will be returned to its former glory. The crown, which is worth an estimated £76 million, was left behind by the thieves after they dropped it during their escape. The museum's statement revealed that the crown suffered 'crushing damage' and was 'significantly deformed', but restoration will be possible without the need for reconstruction or re-creation. The crown is missing one of eight golden eagles that adorned it, but it still retains its 56 emeralds and all but 10 of its 1,354 diamonds. The restoration will be overseen by an expert committee led by the Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars. Five people have been charged with involvement in the heist, but the stolen jewels, which include items linked to other royal figures from French history, have not been recovered. The thieves used a stolen furniture lift to access the second-floor Galerie d'Apollon, where the crown was found. They then cracked open display cases with angle grinders before escaping with their loot on the back of two scooters driven by accomplices. Speaking after the heist, art detective Arthur Brand told Sky News, 'These crown jewels are so famous, you just cannot sell them. The thieves will likely melt down the silver and gold and dismantle the diamonds, ensuring that the crown never sees the light of day again.' The Louvre's assurance of restoration may be met with skepticism by some, as the museum has faced criticism in the past for its handling of cultural heritage. However, the museum has a long history of successfully restoring and preserving its collections, and this latest incident may serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding cultural treasures.
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