Prince Louis and Princess Margaret of Hesse and by Rhine hosted dispossessed and exiled Royal Relatives for a Holiday at Schloss Wolfsgarten near Langen in Hesse in July 1946, 80 years ago, when they were photographed by LIFE magazine following the end of the Second World War.
Today marks the 60th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha and Edinburgh, Infanta of Spain and Duchess of Galliera who who passed away on this day in 1966! Baby Bee was the youngest daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, and while not as famed as her elder sisters, Queen Marie of Romania and Grand Duchess Victoria Melita, this Infanta of Spain by marriage lived a turbulent yet very interesting life, dedicated to her family and to social causes, and to mark the day, were are featuring her Infanta Eulalia’s Emerald Necklace!
Today marks the 115th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Maria Pia of Portugal, who passed away on this day in 1911. The Savoy Princess, daughter of the first King of the unified Italy, who married King Luís I of Portugal, witnessed the tragic assassination of both her son, King Carlos I, and her grandson, Prince Luís Filipe, before being forced into exile, where she died only a few months later. Renowned for her love of jewels and luxury, Queen Maria Pia assembled a spectacular jewellery collection. Among its greatest treasures was the magnificent Diamond Floral Tiara, which we are featuring today!
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!
Hemophilia is as old as the humanity, but it has never had a direct influence on the affairs of a nation. This was until the disease mysteriously appeared in descendants of Queen Victoria, “the grandmother of Europe”, successively touching the heirs to the throne of Russia and Spain. In particular Alix of Hesse and Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, granddaughters of the English queen (and also second cousins through German kinship), who had to face not only a personal and human drama, but a dynastic tragedy with various reflections, especially for the first, in the vicissitudes policies of their adoptive countries.
Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, who passed away on this day in 1969! Queen Ena had a splendid jewellery collection, full of family heirlooms and contemporary acquisitions and commissions. Many of her jewels remain with the Spanish Royal Family, and are now worn by Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia, but others appeared on the market over the years, where they have fletched impressive sums at auction, which includes this Cartier Conch Pearl Bracelet!
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and King Christian IX of Denmark are generally considered the matriarch and patriarch of today’s European royalty. Queen Victoria had nine children and King Christian had six. All of these children reached adulthood, with many of them marrying into ruling European dynasties. Their children and grandchildren eventually occupied the majority of the thrones of Europe and their descendants continue to remain on many of them.
Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the birth of Princess Sandra Torlonia, Countess Lequio di Assaba, who was born on this day in 1936! The eldest granddaughter of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie, Princess Sandra frequently wore treasured heirloom jewels, most notably the elegant floral Diamond Clip Brooches inherited from her grandmother, which we are delighted to feature today!
Today marks the anniversary of the birth of the Countess of Barcelona, mother of King Juan Carlos I and grandmother of King Felipe VI, who was born on this day in 1910. A Bourbon–Two Sicilies princess and the de jure Queen Consort of Spain, the Countess possessed a magnificent jewellery collection, rich in family heirlooms and notable contemporary acquisitions, from which we are featuring the Chaumet Ruby Clip Brooches!
Happy Birthday to Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo, who turns 62 today! The elder sister of the current Spanish Sovereign, the Infanta was a working member of the Spanish Royal family for almost three decades, amassing a splendid jewellery collection, which includes several contemporary pieces, such as the Diamond Chain Necklace which we are featuring today!
There are several Royal and Noble Exhibitions opening this month! A major new exhibition has opened this week at Madrid’s Galería de las Colecciones Reales, shining an unprecedented spotlight on Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain. Titled “Victoria Eugenia,” the exhibition is the first monographic show ever dedicated to a Spanish queen, organized by Patrimonio Nacional, and will be on view from December 3rd until April 5th, 2026.
Royalty from Britain, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Morocco and the Middle East joined the extended Spanish Royal Family in Madrid on this day in 1975, 50 years ago, to celebrate the solemn Enthronement Mass of King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who had been proclaimed king following the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
Happy Birthday to Queen Sofia of Spain, who celebrates her 87th birthday today! Hailing from an extraordinary lineage that unites most of Europe’s royal dynasties, Queen Sofia became the first Queen Consort of Spain’s restored monarchy and remains one of the most admired members of the Royal Family. Her jewelry collection is both rich in historic family heirlooms and contemporary treasures, including the Diamond Foliage Necklace, which we’re featuring today!
Around this time in 1935 — exactly 90 years ago — Princess María de las Mercedes of Borbón and Orléans married the Prince of Asturias at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs in Rome. Among the dozens of magnificent wedding gifts she received were many treasured family heirlooms, passed down to her by her uncle and father-in-law, King Alfonso XIII.
Today marks the 195th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Isabella II of Spain, who was born on this day in 1830! The eldest child of King Fernando VII and his wife and niece, Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, she ascended the throne at the tender age of 3, her reign earning her the title of the “queen of sad fates” due to the political turmoil and challenges that ultimately led to her exile in Paris following the Glorious Revolution of 1868. To commemorate her birthday, we are highlighting one of her most important surviving heirlooms, the Joyas de Pasar Pearl Necklace!
Today marks the 160th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Amélie of Portugal, who born on this day in 1865! The exiled Orléans Princess who married the Portuguese King, witnessed the assassination of her husband and son, and was then exiled for the remaining four decades of her life, today, we are featuring Queen Amélie’s Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch!
Happy Birthday to Queen Letizia of Spain, who turns 53 today! For the past 21 years, on special occasions, Doña Letizia has borrowed pieces of jewellery from the collection of her mother-in-law, Queen Sofía — including the striking Ruby Cascade Necklace, which we are featuring today in celebration of Her Majesty’s birthday!
Today marks the 135th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Augusta Victoria of Portugal, nee Princess of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, who was born on this day in 1890. A German princess by birth and de jure Queen Consort of Portugal through her marriage to the exiled King Manuel II, we are featuring one of her most iconic jewels — her magnificent Cartier Ruby Choker!
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Esperanza of Orléans-Braganza, née Princess of Borbón, who passed away on this day in 2005. A royal born into the Spanish Bourbons and later a prominent figure in the Brazilian Imperial Family through marriage, we are featuring her trademark Diamond Necklace!
Today marks the 60th birthday of Infanta Cristina of Spain, the second child of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. Known for her discreet style, the Infanta has rarely been seen wearing big jewellery in public. Despite that, Doña Cristina retains in her private collection some contemporary pieces and family heirlooms — including a Diamond and Emerald Brooch which we are featuring again today!
