Happy Birthday to Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo, who turns 60 today! The elder sister of the current Spanish Sovereign, the Infanta was a working member of the Spanish Royal family for almost three decades, amassing a splendid jewellery collection, the most recognisable piece being the Marichalar Diamond Tiara!
Marichalar Tiara | Spanish Floral Tiara | Prussian Diamond Tiara | Countess of Barcelona’s Pearl Bracelet
In November 1994, the engagement of Infanta Elena to Don Jaime de Marichalar, fourth son of the Count and Countess of Ripalda, was announced. On that occasion, a delighted Elena showed to the press, which were present at the official announcement ceremony, her engagement ring, a simple piece, made of diamonds set in platinum, representing a teardrop. This teardrop is nothing less than the central element of an heirloom tiara that the Marichalar family presented to the Infanta on this special event.
This elegant tiara, created by Ansorena, the Spanish Crown Jeweller, is made of diamonds set in platinum, combining two classical-inspired decorative elements: a laurel wreath and meanders or Greek keys. In addition, a platinum base with small circular elements was added, giving more structure to the piece. It is a versatile jewel, since it is possible to remove, combine and play with the different elements.
The Marichalar Tiara was first publicly worn by Doña Elena on the day of her wedding on March 18, 1995. On that occasion, the Infanta also borrowed a couple of pieces from mother’s jewellery box: a Pair of Pearl Earrings and Infanta Isabel’s Pearl Bracelet.
In the following years, the Diamond Tiara would become the Infanta’s most commonly worn hair ornament, being chosen for the major part of the Gala Banquets that the Duchess of Lugo has attended at the Royal Palace of Madrid, such as the Jordanian State Banquet in 1999 or the Portuguese State Banquet in 2006, and for her Tiara appearances in foreign countries, notably during King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 50th Birthday in 1996.
The Infanta also wore the Marichalar Tiara for two of the most noteworthy Royal Weddings of the past decades: the Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson in 2004 and the Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling in 2010. The second happened shortly after the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Lugo in 2009, which led to the speculation as to whether the Tiara would have returned to the hands of the Marichalars or not, as there was never a clear answer about it.
Going back a little in history, this tiara has been worn by several women within the Marichalar family on their respective wedding days, as was the case of Maria de la Concepción Sáenz de Tejada on her wedding to Don Amalio de Marichalar in 1957, as well as her eldest daughter, Doña Ana de Marichalar at her wedding to Luis Coronel de Palma in 1989.
In 2018, it was the turn of Doña Ana Coronel de Palma y Marichalar to wear this piece for her wedding day. Thanks to her, it is possible to verify its versatility since the bride wore the laurel leaves as hairclips pinned on the back of her hair and the meander element converted into a necklace.
In 2020, we were able to appreciate the Marichalar Tiara being worn as a bridal tiara, while adorning the heads of the sisters Inés and Blanca de Marichalar, the daughters of the current Count of Ripalda. It is probable we’ll continue seeing this Diamond Tiara being worn by more family brides, as is possible the case of Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón, Infanta Elena’s only female daughter.
Marichalar Tiara | Spanish Floral Tiara | Prussian Diamond Tiara | Countess of Barcelona’s Pearl Bracelet | Pearl Earrings
