Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara

Today marks the 95th Anniversary of the Death of Queen María Cristina of Spain, who passed away on this day in 1929! The Austrian Archduchess who become the second wife of King Alfonso XII before serving as Spain’s Regent for 17 years after his premature death, ‘Doña Virtudes’ was known for her strong religious beliefs, austerity and staidness. Despite that, she had a great interest in jewellery, possessing a splendid collection that was highlighted by this spectacular Loop Tiara!

A striking Tiara comprising pearls at the center of upright diamond loops, topped with round pearls, this Tiara was made by Francisco Marzo, not Cartier as has been long claimed, by Queen Maria Cristina in 1886, at the start of her 16-year Regency.

Queen Maria Cristina wore her Loop Tiara on several occasions, including the Christening of her grandson, Infante Gonzalo, in 1914 as well as several portraits, being worn into the 1920s, near the end of her life.

After Queen Maria Cristina’s death in 1929, the Loop Tiara was one of the five Tiaras inherited by her son, King Alfonso XIII, and was among the Wedding Gifts given to Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Shen she married his son, Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, in 1935. Infanta María de las Mercedes’ corbeille de mariage was displayed for the public and included Queen Maria Christina’s Loop Tiara along with a Pearl Brooch, Pearl Bracelet, Diamond Brooches and her Ruby Clip Brooch, which were given to the bride by members of their family.

The newlywed Countess of Barcelona debuted Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara at her Wedding Gala held at the Grand Hotel in Rome, following the Wedding Ceremony at the Basilica of Santa María de Los Ángeles in Rome.

The Tiara was worn for many society events that took place in Portugal, where many European Royal Families were exiled, notably Infanta Pilar’s 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 Countess of Barcelona also wore Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara for the Wedding Ball of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece at the Royal Palace of Athens in 1962 as well as at the Wedding Ball of Infanta Pilar and Luis Gómez-Acebo y Duque de Estrada, Viscount de la Torre at the Palacio Estoril Hotel in Estoril in 1967, among a series of prominent appearances in Portraits, Balls and Banquets.

In 1967, Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara was worn by Infanta Pilar for her Wedding to Luis Gómez-Acebo y Duque de Estrada, Viscount de la Torre at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

The Countess of Barcelona also loaned Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara to her daughter-in-law, Princess Sofia, for the spectacular Banquet celebrating the 2500th Anniversary of the Persian Empire at Persepolis in 1971.

In 1988, the Countess of Barcelona loaned Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara to Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz for the State Banquet in honour of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the Palacio Real de Madrid.

Two years later, Queen Maria Cristina’s Loop Tiara was worn by Infanta Pilar’s daughter, Simoneta Gómez-Acebo, for her Wedding to José Miguel Fernández Sastrón at the Cathedral of Santa María de Palma de Mallorca.

After the Countess of Barcelona’s death in 2000, the Loop Tiara passed on to her daughter-in-law, Queen Sofia, who wore the Tiara for the Spanish State Visit to Norway in 2006, followed by appearances during a State Visit from Saudi Arabia in 2007 and the Philippines in 2008.