Happy Birthday to Infanta Maria Francisca, Duchess of Coimbra, who turns 27 today! The second child and only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza, pretenders to the defunct Portuguese throne, the Infanta got married to Duarte Sousa Araújo in a lavish ceremony in October 2023 and to mark the day, we are featuring the first tiara from the family’s collection that she has worn: the Braganza Floral Necklace Tiara!
Queen Amélie’s Diamond Tiara | Floral Necklace Tiara
Of unknown provenance, this rigid piece featuring an intricate design of diamond-set leaves, has been worn by the Duchess of Braganza both as a Tiara and Necklace for the past 20 years. Most of the times, it has been worn together with a long pair of diamond chandelier earrings which may or may not be part of the same suite.
In 2003, Dona Isabel wore her Floral Necklace Tiara for the Wedding Gala of Duchess Fleur of Wurttemberg and Count Moritz von Goess. Together with the Diamond Bandeau Tiara, the Floral Necklace Tiara, very light and easy to travel with, has been preferred by the Duchess for Tiara events abroad.
Three years later, in 2006, the Diamond Necklace Tiara was worn in its’ Necklace version for a private dinner held during King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 60th Birthday Celebrations. On that same year, the Duchess wore the piece again for one of the events of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s Silver Wedding Anniversary.
When a foreign Monarch travels to Portugal on a State Visit, the Duke and Duchess are usually invited to be present at the State Banquet offered by the President of the Portuguese Republic, as well as at the Returning Dinner or Reception offered by the guests. In 2008, when King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden came on a State Visit to Portugal, Dona Isabel paired the family’s impressive Aquamarine Parure with the Floral Tiara for the Returning Banquet.
In 2016, the Duchess wore the Diamond Tiara and Earrings for a Banquet offered in honour of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on the occasion of their first State Visit to Portugal.
In 2018, the Floral Tiara was also worn for a Banquet offered to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of The Belgians on their State Visit to Portugal.
In 2023, Infanta Maria Francisca borrowed her mother’s Floral Necklace Tiara and Earring while attending Prince Ludwig of Bavaria’s Wedding Ball. There is no doubt we will continue to see this stunning piece for years to come!
Queen Amélie’s Diamond Tiara | Floral Necklace Tiara
This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!
