Queen Marie-José’s Diamond Earrings

Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Queen Marie-José of Italy, who passed away on this day in 2001. The Belgian Princess who became the last Queen of Italy, Queen Marie Jose possessed the vast jewellery collection of the House of Savoy, which included these spectacular Diamond Earrings.

When Crown Prince Umberto of Italy married Princess Marie Jose of Belgium in 1930, he used various heirloom jewels inherited from his grandmother, Queen Margherita, to create new jewels for his bride, which included these spectacular Diamond Earrings created by the celebrated Italian jeweller, Filippo Chiappe, using two large diamonds from Queen Margherita’s collection, which could be replaced with Pearls, alongside the Crown Prince’s own sketches and notes.

On her Wedding Day, the new Crown Princess received Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara alongside these spectacular Earrings, a Diamond Chain, and a pair of Savoy Knot Brooches.

In the early 1930s, Crown Princess Marie-José wore these Earrings with a large central pearl and a smaller all-diamond bandeau version of Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara for a series of portraits.

The Earrings were also worn by the Crown Princess with another version of Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara, this time with just the pearl buttons and none of the arches.

At some point in the 1930s, Crown Princess Marie-José wore the Chiappe Earrings with the full version of Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara, and one of the Savoy Knot Brooches for a series of iconic portraits taken by the legendary Ghitta Carrell.

The Earrings with Pearls were also worn by the Crown Princess for another series of portraits, likely taken by Ghitta Carrell at the same time as the other portraits.

Crown Princess Marie-José wore the Chiappe Earrings for another series of portraits in the 1930s, and they were again paired with Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara for a visit to the Vatican in the late 1930s, which seem to be their last public appearance.

The Italian Monarchy was abolished in 1946, and while Queen Marie Jose remained a regular at royal events for several decades, usually wearing Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara, the Chiappe Earrings have never been publicly worn again, though they were photographed for Princess Maria Gabriella and Stefano Papi’s ‘Jewellery of the House of Savoy’ in 2007. Another one of Crown Princess Marie-José’s wedding gift jewels appeared on the Princess of Venice a few years ago, so lets hope these spectacular earrings are worn again soon!