At the banquet in honor of Haitham Bin Tariq, the sultan and prime minister of Oman, Queen Letizia of Spain looked like something out of a painting. The sovereign paired a dreamy cobalt blue gown with a tiara made of platinum, pearls, and diamonds that has been in the royal family for generations.
Last time Queen Letizia had worn a tiara at home in the Royal Palace was back in 2023. The Queen and King Felipe welcomed Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and for the traditional banquet the sovereign favored the a red Carolina Herrera dress and the gracefulness of the floral tiara that belonged to Maria Christina of Spain. In that same jewel collection resides Queen Letizia’s latest “Russian tiara” she wore for the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to Spain.
Queen Letizia’ Cartier Loop Tiara is thought to have first belonged to Queen Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine, created in 1886. She held regency over Spain from the death of her husband, King Alfonso XII, until the accession of her son, Alfonso XIII, in 1902. The style, which features pearls set in a series of diamond loops has been handed down through generations of Spanish royals, and was a favorite of Letizia’s mother-in-law, Queen Sofía.
Some jewelry experts believe that the tiara was a gift to then-Archduchess Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine for her wedding to King Alfonso XII of Spain. In reality, historians now seem to agree, it would be a personal commission from Maria Christina who became regent after the death of her husband since her son, Alfonso XIII, had not yet been born when his father passed away.
After the death of Maria Christina of Spain in 1929, Alfonso XIII inherited the piece, which was then passed down to Princess Maria Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies for her marriage to Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona. The countess wore the tiara a lifetime, also lending it to her daughter-in-law, Queen Sofia, wife of King Juan Carlos, who in turn inherited the piece in 2000 upon her mother’s death. Sofia of Spain sported the tiara for a 2006 state visit to Norway.
In 2018, it was Queen Letizia of Spain’s turn to wear the tiara at a banquet for the president of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and she has since repurposed it for President Sergio Mattarella’s 2021 state visit to Spain. Then at an event hosted by the Dutch royal family to Queen Letizia and King Felipe on a state visit to the Netherlands in April 2024.
For that dinner, the Spanish ruler first sported the exquisite cobalt-blue gown by The 2nd Skin Co., a Spanish fashion house much loved by Queen Letizia. Designed for the bridal line, the lustrous silk creation features a round neckline, small bows placed on the sleeves, a fabric belt, and a truly regal silhouette with that full skirt, and small train.
The diamond button earrings are the cherry on top of an exemplary recycled look. Like her tiara, Queen Letizia of Spain’s jewels are not mere heirlooms, but have a ceremonial value that make an undeniable statement when foreign dignitaries come to town.
Originally published in Vanity Fair Italia
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