Happy 21st Birthday to the Princess of Asturias! The Heir to the Spanish Throne has gradually started exploring the jewellery collections of the Spanish Royal Family. Having already borrowed several jewels from her mother’s collection, the Princess has now finally begun delving into her grandmother’s jewellery box, wearing Queen Sofia’s Ruby Earrings just a few days ago!
The earrings are composed of two articulated sections: an oval-shaped upper element and a pear-shaped drop below. Both feature cabochon rubies surrounded by twelve diamonds, while small leaf-shaped motifs inspired by nature connect the two sections.
In 1962, Queen Frederica of Greece gave the earrings to her daughter, the then Princess Sofía, on the occasion of her marriage to Prince Juan Carlos. The jewel was acquired to accompany an important necklace of two rows of cabochon rubies and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels, a wedding gift from Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos. It is possible that the earrings also came from the same jewellery house, which marketed similar designs during the 1950s and 1960s. However, they are not the standard earrings usually created to accompany necklaces of this type, such as the sapphire version owned by Queen Sofía’s cousin, Marina Karélla.
The design must have particularly appealed to Queen Frederica, who commissioned several similar pairs for herself. Among them was an almost identical pair featuring sapphires and diamonds, as well as ruby and turquoise versions. She also wore a pair with a similar overall design but featuring round sapphires instead of cabochons. The whereabouts of these jewels following Queen Frederica’s death remain unknown.
The Ruby Necklace and matching Earrings would become two of the most recognisable jewels in Queen Sofía’s collection, true signature pieces that HM has worn on numerous occasions throughout her life, first as Princess and later as Queen.
The Necklace, in particular, was one of the most important and valuable wedding gifts she received. Queen Victoria Eugenie highlighted its significance in a letter to her cousin, Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in which she described the gifts and anecdotes surrounding the wedding of Juan Carlos and Sofía. She wrote:
“The best jewels Sofía received were the diamonds and the pearl tiara that I passed on to Juan for him to give to her, a splendid necklace of cabochon rubies and diamonds in two rows, and a diamond tiara; the latter two were gifts from Niarchos. C’est beau la fortune!”
Since her wedding, Queen Sofía has worn the earrings on numerous occasions, some of considerable historical and personal significance. Among the most notable was the Solemn Mass, held at the Church of San Jerónimo el Real in Madrid on the occasion of Juan Carlos’s proclamation as King of Spain in 1975. She also wore them during several State Visits throughout her husband’s reign.
The earrings have also appeared at important family occasions, including the Pre-Wedding Gala of the then Prince of Asturias and Doña Letizia Ortiz in 2004. Over the decades, they have remained a familiar and much-loved part of Queen Sofía’s jewellery collection, often worn alongside their matching Ruby Necklace.
In 2023, Queen Sofía brought the spectacular Parure back into the spotlight when she wore the earrings with the accompanying Niarchos Ruby Necklace at the Banquet celebrating the Wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. The occasion was particularly memorable, as it marked Queen Sofía’s first tiara appearance since her husband’s abdication in 2014. It was also the first time since the 1970s that HM wore the Necklace with both rows of rubies.
Now, in October 2026, the earrings have made another significant appearance, this time on a new generation of the Spanish Royal Family. Queen Sofía lent the Ruby and Diamond Earrings to her granddaughter, the Princess of Asturias, who wore them at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards a few days ago.
The choice was especially meaningful, as it marked the first time Princess Leonor had ventured into her grandmother’s jewellery collection. Seeing these earrings on Leonor today holds a special significance. We are not simply looking at a beautiful pair of ruby and diamond earrings, but at a jewel cherished by her grandmother for more than six decades, now beginning to find its place in the repertoire of the next generation. It is wonderful to see Princess Leonor finally venturing into Queen Sofía’s impressive jewellery box.
This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!
Queen Sofia’s Ruby Earrings
Queen Letizia’s Aquamarine Earrings
Sapphire Drop Earrings
Spanish Fleur-de-Lys Tiara
Spanish Floral Tiara
Prussian Diamond Tiara
Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Cartier Pearl Tiara
Queen Maria Christina’s Loop Tiara
Mellerio Shell Tiara
Ansorena Fleur de Lys Tiara
The Joyas de Pasar
Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Diamond Earrings
Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Diamond Bracelets
Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Diamond Rivière
Queen Sofia’s Wedding Necklace
Queen Maria Cristina’s Pearl Brooch
Queen Sofia’s Emerald Parure
Queen Sofia’s Sapphire Parure
Queen Sofia’s Ruby Dove Parure
Queen Sofia’s Diamond Flower Brooch
Queen Sofia’s Omani Diamond Suite
Diamond Bow Brooch
