Vienna Museum Robbed of Queen Nazli's $4 Million Diamond Necklace

The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna was hosting a special exhibition of luxury jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring over 300 pieces. Among the highlights was a platinum and diamond necklace, created in 1939 for Egyptian Queen Nazli, mother of Queen Fawzia. The necklace, set with 673 diamonds and weighing more than 200 carats, was valued at around $4 million.

This piece was not only a symbol of royal history but also a prized artifact on loan for the exhibit. Security was reportedly in place, but the museum had opened the collection to the public, drawing interest from visitors and, ultimately, thieves.

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, two men entered the MAK museum during visiting hours. According to Bloomberg and the BBC, the suspects purchased tickets and mingled with other visitors. Around midday, they approached the display case containing the necklace.

Several outlets, including News india and Nachrichten, reported that the thieves used a hammer to smash the glass case. Some sources, like Fanpage and Mint, mentioned that the men were armed and threatened visitors, but others did not confirm this detail. The men grabbed the necklace and quickly escaped the building. The BBC and other outlets say the suspects fled toward a nearby park.

Museum staff and visitors were left unharmed, but the theft caused immediate concern. Security cameras captured the suspects' actions, and Austrian police began a search. The museum closed the exhibition temporarily as authorities launched an international investigation.

By August 28, news of the theft had spread internationally. The necklace's provenance as a royal artifact and its high value drew attention, with outlets like Deutsche Welle and The Guardian noting the rising trend of high-profile art and jewelry thefts across Europe.

Multiple reports, including from Telegraaf and Fanpage, highlighted the possibility that the theft was linked to organized criminal groups, possibly with ties to previous art heists. However, police had not confirmed any such connections.

As of early September, Austrian police are still searching for the two suspects. An international manhunt is underway, with authorities reviewing security footage and sharing information with partner agencies across Europe, according to NBC News and ABC.

Experts told NBC News that selling the necklace on the black market would be difficult, given its fame and unique design. The theft has also prompted renewed scrutiny of museum security measures, especially for temporary exhibitions of high-value artifacts.

Investigators are focusing on identifying the suspects using security camera images. Museums across Europe may also review their security protocols in response to this and other recent thefts. The fate of Queen Nazli's necklace remains uncertain, and recovery efforts are ongoing.