Wedding Gifts of Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain

Today marks the 120th Anniversary of the Wedding of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and British-born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, who were married in Madrid on this day in 1906! For the occasion, the young bride received an extraordinary collection of jewels from the Spanish Royal Family, her relatives across Europe, and several institutions and associations, many of which would become some of the most important jewels in the Spanish Crown collection!

Most splendid were the jewels presented by the King himself. According to the matrimonial contract, the pieces were given in usufruct to the Queen and, in the event of a matrimonial dissolution, were to be returned to the royal family.

Among the diamond-set jewels were a Fleur de Lys Diamond Tiara, which would become the most symbolic jewel of the Spanish Royal Family, and be worn by successive Queens of Spain.

Also, a Riviére Necklace of thirty splendid diamonds set “a la ruse” accompanied by two diamond solitaire set as Earrings, and a petite yet symbolic Diamond Crown, later dismantled to create the pair of Diamond Bracelets still associated with the family today.

Among the pearl jewels was an important historical Necklace of 37 pearls from the estate of Queen Isabella II, the groom’s grandmother, together with a large Louis XVI-inspired bow stomacher incorporating two pearls also from the collection of the late Queen.

From her mother-in-law, Queen Maria Cristina, Princess Victoria Eugenie received a pearl and diamond folliage tiara, later dismantled to create her Cartier Scroll Tiara, as well as an imposing six-row pearl necklace.

Several members of the groom’s family also presented magnificent jewels. Infanta Isabel, the King’s aunt, gave a diamond and ruby bracelet that could also be worn as a choker or tiara. Infanta Maria de la Paz presented Princess Ena with Golden Heraldic Tiara, another heirloom from the late Queen Isabella II.

Infante Carlos, the widow of the late Princess Maria de las Mercedes, and the groomsman, presented a sapphire and diamond demi-parure composed of a brooch and matching earrings, while Infanta Maria Teresa and her husband, Infante Fernando, gave a similar demi-parure of emeralds and diamonds.

From her mother, Princess Beatrice of Battenberg, came a set of diamonds and pink pearls comprising an Aigrette, Necklace, and Brooch. Jewels the Princess herself received in 1885 from Queen Victoria as part of her wedding trousseau.

Her godmother, French Empress Eugénie, presented her with a splendid diamond Mercury-wing aigrette.

From her uncle and aunt, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, she received a Turquoise and Diamond Demi-Parure comprising a cluster necklace and a matching pair of earrings.

Princess Ena’s two brothers, Prince Maurice of Battenberg and Prince Alexander of Battenberg, gave her a diamond and turquoise bangle. Her aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, together with members of her family — Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Victoria Melita, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Romania, the Prince and Princess of Hohenlohe, and Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh — presented her with a diamond chain set with a large aquamarine pendant, the young princess’s favourite gemstone.

Princess Victoria also received several pieces of jewellery from institutions and popular associations. A delegation from the nobility of Catalonia presented her with a remarkable Modernist tiara of gold, diamonds, and enamel, rich in Catalan symbolism. The ladies of Scotland, meanwhile, gifted her a diamond Celtic brooch, and the Anglo Spanish Colony presented Princess Ena with a large diamond and pearl bow brooch.

This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!