Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of the Countess of Barcelona, mother of King Juan Carlos I and grandmother of King Felipe VI, who passed away in Lanzarote on this day in 2000! The Bourbon-Two-Sicilies Princess who was the de-jure Queen Consort of Spain, the Countess had a magnificent jewellery collection, full of family heirlooms and modern acquisitions, from which we are featuring her Diamond Earrings today!
Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara | Spanish Fleur-de-Lys Tiara | Mellerio Shell Tiara | Sapphire Tiara | Diamond Earrings | Emerald Suite | Pearl Brooch | Ruby Clip Brooch | Pearl Bow Brooch| Pearl Bracelet | Strawberry Leaf Brooches
Although the origins of this pair of Diamond Earrings remain unknown, they were first seen adorning the ears of the Countess of Barcelona’s mother, Infanta Luisa of Spain, born Princess Louise of Orléans. They consist of two diamond collets of considerable size which are suspended by a double diamond-studded chain. The Infanta notably wore them for the Wedding of the Count of Paris and Princess Isabelle of Orléans Braganza in 1931 and for the Wedding of her own daughter, Princess Maria de las Mercedes, to the heir of the Spanish throne, Infante Juan, in 1935.
At a certain point, either in the 1940s or early 1950s, Infanta Luisa gave her Diamond Earrings to her daughter, the Countess of Barcelona. Since then, they become one of Doña Maria’s favourite pieces, being worn on countless occasions. In 1953, she paired them with the large Fleur de Lys Diamond Tiara and the Strawberry Leaf Brooches for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, and with her Art-Déco Clip Brooches and the same tiara for some gala portraits taken later on that month in their home in exile in Estoril, Villa Giralda.
The Countess of Barcelona wearing her Sapphire Tiara!
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The Countess of Barcelona wearing her Sapphire Tiara!
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In 1954, the Countess of Barcelona wore her Diamond Collet Earrings with the Orléans Sapphire Tiara for the Debutante Ball of her niece, Princess Alessandra Torlonia. They were also worn for many society events that took place in Portugal, where many European Royal Families were exiled, notably her eldest daughter’s Debutante Ball in 1954 and the Wedding Gala of Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and Princess Maria Pia of Italy in 1955. The Diamond Earrings were frequently paired with the Queen Maria Cristina’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara for White Tie galas and banquets and with Queen Isabela II’s Emerald Suite for less formal events.
The Diamond Collet Earrings were also worn for various events in Greece, namely the Wedding Gala of King Constantine II and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark in 1964.
Doña Maria de las Mercedes kept wearing her Diamond Earrings until her older years. They were paired with her Chaumet Ruby Clip Brooches for the announcement of the Engagement of her granddaughter, Simoneta Gómez Acebo to José Miguel Fernández-Sastrón in 1990.
The Diamond Collet Earrings have not been not seen since the Countess of Barcelona’s death in 2000. It remains unknown who inherited them after her death at the age of 89. However, it is highly probable that it could have been inherited by her son, King Juan Carlos. With the upcoming majority of age of the Princess of Asturias and her tiara debut, her great-grandmother’s Diamond Earrings would be an important family heirloom for her to wear.
This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!
Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara | Spanish Fleur-de-Lys Tiara | Mellerio Shell Tiara | Sapphire Tiara | Diamond Earrings | Emerald Suite | Pearl Brooch | Ruby Clip Brooch | Pearl Bow Brooch| Pearl Bracelet | Strawberry Leaf Brooches
