Royal Guests and Relatives from around the world joined the Spanish Royal Family for a spectacular Gala Dinner at El Pardo Royal Palace, in the outskirts of Madrid, on this day in 2004, 20 years ago, on the eve of the Wedding of Don Felipe, Prince of Asturias, and Doña Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. The Wedding took place just days after the magnificent Wedding Celebrations of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.
Today marks the 140th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha and Edinburgh, Infanta of Spain and Duchess of Galliera who was born on this day in 1884! 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 Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch!
Today marks the 55th 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, such as her spectacular Diamond Rivière, which we are featuring today!
Today marks the anniversary of the death of Queen Isabel II of Spain, who passed away on this day in 1904! The eldest surviving child of King Fernando VII and his wife and niece, Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, she became Queen of Spain at the early age of 3, with a reign as “queen of sad fates” marked by a great political turmoil that ended in a Parisian exile in 1868, after a Glorious Revolution, but to mark this anniversary, we are taking a look at the Queen’s Mellerio Diamond Stars.
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!
Seventy years ago, the exiled Spanish Royal Family, Spanish Aristocracy, and the leading Italian Noble Families got together for a dazzling Gala at the magnificent renaissance Palazzo Torlonia in the heart of the city of Rome to celebrate the 18th Birthday and the debut into society of Doña Alessandra (Sandra) Torlonia, the eldest granddaughter of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain.
Two days ago, the Marqués de Pons, eldest son and heir of the Duchess of Montellano, married Doña Ina Morenés Allendesalazar in Madrid, and while the bride was not wearing an heirloom Diadem, the groom’s mother, the X Duchess of Montellano, wore the spectacular necklace of the Montellano Chaumet Turquoise Parure!
Happy Birthday to Princess Silvia, Dowager Duchess of Aosta, who turns 70 today! The Italian aristocrat, from the Paternò di Spedalotto family, daughter of the VI Marquess Di Regiovanni, was the second wife of the late Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, V Duke of Aosta and Pretender to the Italian Throne. To mark the day, we are featuring one of the Duchess’ major jewellery pieces: the Paternò di Spedalotto Diamond Tiara!
Happy Birthday to the Princess Olimpia Torlonia, who turns 80 today! The granddaughter of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, and youngest child of Infanta Beatriz and the V Prince of Civitella Cesi, who married Paul-Annik Weiller, the son of the very rich Industrialist and Philanthropist Paul-Louis Weiller and the mother Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, the very discreet Princess Olimpia is the owner of a splendid jewellery collection, of which we are featuring one of the most significant pieces at her disposal: the Diamond Riviére!
Happy Birthday to Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo, who turns 60 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, the most recognisable piece being the Marichalar Diamond Tiara!
Happy Birthday to the Princess Claude of Orléans, who turns 80 today! The ninth child and fifth daughter of the Count of Paris, the controversial Head of the French Royal House, and the always-elegant Princess Isabelle, who married and then divorced Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, a Pretender to the Italian Throne. Princess Claude has worn some spectacular jewels throughout her life, being one of the more significant her Turquoise Suite, which we are featuring today!
Last week, Heirloom Jewels from the Orléans Royal Family and the Bourbon Parma Royal Family were loaned to Royal and Noble Débutantes for Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, with the spectacular Orléans-Braganza Diamond Tiara appearing on the head of Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess of Hungary!
Happy Birthday to Eugenia Martínez de Irujo, 12th Duchess of Montoro, who turns 55 today! Doña María Eugenia Brianda Timotea Cecilia Martínez de Irujo y Fitz-James Stuart is the vivacious daughter of the late Doña Cayetana, XVIII Duchess of Alba, the world’s most titled Aristocrat. The Duchess; life has often been under the spotlight due to her family, but she has navigated it with grace, pursuing her passions while maintaining a strong connection to her heritage and family legacy, so to mark the day, we are featuring the most important family heirloom in the Duchess’ possession: the Alba Pearl and Diamond Tiara!
Happy Birthday to Princess Sofia of the Bourbon Two Sicilies, the Duchess of Calabria, who turns 50 today! The Consort of the Head of the House of the Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the Duchess has only ever worn this historic royal heirloom, the Habsburg Diamond Button Tiara!
Happy Birthday to the Duchess of Braganza, who turns 57 today! The Portuguese aristocrat, who grew up between Portugal, Angola, and Brazil, married Dom Duarte Pio, the Duke of Braganza, pretender to the defunct Portuguese throne, the Duchess wears several spectacular jewels, of which we are featuring one of the most significant family heirlooms at her disposal: Queen Amélie’s Diamond Choker!
In the past month, the Ducal House of Alba, one of the most prominent Spanish Dynasties, inaugurated an exhibition entitled “La Moda en la Casa de Alba”, a unique show in a unique venue, the Liria Palace, ancestral home of the House of Alba, which offers a mesmerizing journey through the exquisite world of fashion intertwined with the rich cultural heritage of the House of Alba.
Today marks the 170th anniversary of the Death of Queen Maria II of Portugal, who passed away on this day in 1853! The Regnant Queen who reigned for over two turbulent decades before her tragic death, Queen Maria II’s Sapphire Tiara was an iconic Jewel that was an Heirloom of the Hohenzollern Princely Family for over a century before being auctioned in 2021, and was on display at the Palácio da Ajuda in Lisbon!
Today marks the 110th Anniversary of the Birth of Emanuella de Dampierre y Ruspoli, Duchess of Segovia, who was born on this day in 1913! The Italian Aristocrat who married Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia, the second son of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, she received several spectacular Royal Heirlooms, including Queen Maria Cristina’s Sapphire Necklace!
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Engagement of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain! The then Prince of Asturias and Letizia Ortiz announced their engagement to a surprised public and press at the Palacio Real de El Pardo on this day in 2003, 20 years ago, and the soon-to-be Princess received this striking Sapphire and Pearl Suite among her Engagement Gifts!
Today, Sol Matossián y Márquez, a great-great-great granddaughter of King Alfonso XII and Queen Maria Cristina, is marrying Nicholas Green in a religious ceremony in Madrid. Sol is set to wear her maternal family’s bridal tiara, an Emerald and Diamond Floral Tiara, whose origins go back to Queen Isabella II.
