The late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, who passed away yesterday at the age of 83, inherited this striking Diamond Loop Tiara from her grandmother, Queen Sophia of Greece, which was once loaned to her niece, Infanta Elena of Spain.
This petite Diamond Loop Tiara was most notably worn by Queen Sophia of Greece for a series of portrait in the early 1900s, with a diamond hanging from the central loop, paired with her magnificent Pearl Corsage Brooch.
Queen Sophia also wore the Diamond Loop Tiara for a family portrait taken in the 1910s.
After several decades, the Diamond Loop Tiara was worn by Queen Sofia’s youngest daughter, Princess Katherine (known as Lady Katherine Brandram) for the Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece in 1962, and the Greek Monarchy Centenary Celebrations in 1963.
The following year, Queen Sophia’s Diamond Circle Tiara was worn by Princess Irene for the Wedding Ball of her brother, King Constantine II of Greece, and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark at the ROyal Palace of Athens, along with her Diamond Circle Necklace.
Later, Princess Irene most notably wore Queen Sophia’s Diamond Circle Tiara for a Gala at the Teatro Real in Madrid in 1966, and the Wedding Ball of the Margrave of Baden and Archduchess Valerie of Austria in 1966.
After the fall of the Greek Monarchy, Princess Irene has chosen not to wear a Tiara, but a notable exception was made for a the Return Dinner hosted by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the Spanish Embassy in London during the Spanish State Visit to Britain in 1986.
Princess Irene also loaned Queen Sophia’s Diamond Circle Tiara to her niece, Infanta Elena of Spain, for the Wedding Ball of Duke Friedrich of Württemberg and Princess Marie zu Wied in 1993. Not having been seen for decades, let’s hope this heirloom make a reappearance soon!
As Spanish citizen without spouse and child + no living parents that means all of her jewels possesions are under her control to whom she want to give in her will.
I guess most of it will fall to queen Sofia hand because she already take care of her for a long time
This is what I expect too. I have always wondered about her jewels – I imagine they have been split between the two Spanish princesses – the crown princess and her sister. We are yet to see either of them with a tiara – so fingers crossed.