The Tiarapedia: Spain
Below is a list of the tiaras worn by the women of the Spanish royal family. Click on the title of the tiara to be taken to pages with fuller histories, images, and much more information. Enjoy!
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The Asturias Fleur-de-Lis Tiara: A modern tiara of diamond scrolls with pearl toppers and a large central diamond fleur-de-lis element, detachable for wear as a brooch. Made by Ansorena in 2009. Worn by Queen Letizia.
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Infanta Margarita’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara: A petite diamond tiara, composed of brooches that once belonged to the Countess of Barcelona, able to be worn with or without a set of pearl toppers. Worn by Infanta Margarita.
Infanta Pilar’s Sapphire Tiara: An elaborate, floralesque scroll tiara of diamonds and sapphires. Originally owned by the Countess of Barcelona and later passed to Infanta Pilar. Worn by the Countess of Barcelona, Infanta Pilar, Infanta Margarita, Barbara Cano y de la Plaza, and Laura Ponte y Martinez. Worn as a wedding tiara by Barbara Cano y de la Plaza, and Laura Ponte y Martinez.
The Marichalar Meander Tiara: A bandeau-style tiara featuring a row of diamond laurel leaves topped by a row of diamond Greek key designs. Given to Infanta Elena as a wedding present by her former mother-in-law, Maria de la Concepcion Seenz de Tejada y Fernandez de Boadilla, in 1995. Worn by Infanta Elena. Worn as a wedding tiara by Infanta Elena.
The Mellerio Shell Tiara: An unusual, artistic diamond tiara made to represent a cresting wave punctuated by pearl drops, and able to be worn with an additional pendant diamond at its base. Made in 1867 by Mellerio dits Meller. Given to Infanta Isabella as a wedding present by her mother, Queen Isabella II. Bequeathed by Infanta Isabella to King Alfonso XIII. Given by Queen Ena and the Count and Countess of Barcelona as a wedding present to Queen Sofia in 1962. Worn by Infanta Isabella, Queen Ena, the Countess of Barcelona, Queen Sofia, Infanta Margarita, Queen Letizia, Infanta Elena, and Infanta Cristina.
The Niarchos Ruby Bandeau: A single- or double-row bandeau of rubies and diamonds in cluster and leaf designs, accompanied by additional coordinating pieces to form a suite. Made in the 1960s by Van Cleef and Arpels. Given by Stavros Niarchos as a wedding present to Queen Sofia in 1962. Worn by Queen Sofia.
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The Prussian Tiara: A delicate, low-profile kokoshnik featuring meander and laurel motifs, with a large pendant diamond in its center. Made by Koch in 1913. Given as a wedding present from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to his daughter, Princess Viktoria Luise, Duchess of Brunswick. Passed to Queen Friederike of the Hellenes, and then to Queen Sofia. Worn by Princess Viktoria Luise, Duchess of Brunswick, Queen Friederike of the Hellenes, Queen Sofia, Queen Letizia, Infanta Elena, and Infanta Cristina. Worn as a wedding tiara by Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia.
Queen Sophie’s Diamond Circle Tiara: A small tiara of linked diamond circles, able to be worn with or without a diamond drop in the center circle. Originally owned by Queen Sophie of the Hellenes, and later passed to Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. Worn by Queen Sophie of the Hellenes, Lady Katherine Brandram, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, and Infanta Elena.
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Queen Ena’s Fleur-de-Lis Tiara: Often called “La Buena,” this grand diamond tiara features the fleur-de-lis symbol of the royal house prominently. Made by Ansorena in 1906. Given as a wedding present by King Alfonso XIII to Queen Ena. Designed as one of the “joyas de pasar,” a collection of jewels only to be worn by Spanish queens regnant and consort, by Queen Ena in 1969. Worn by Queen Ena, the Countess of Barcelona, Queen Sofia, and Queen Letizia. Worn as a wedding tiara by Queen Ena.
Queen Ena’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara: A tiara of scrolling laurel leaf motifs, each with a pearl button in its center, with a diamond-set plume rising from its center; pearls were originally able to be swapped for a set of emeralds, which were later sold. Made by Cartier in the 1920s using gemstones from Queen Ena’s dismantled Ansorena wedding gift tiara. Bequeathed in 1969 by Queen Ena to Infanta Maria Cristina. Acquired by King Juan Carlos after Infanta Maria Cristina’s death in 1996. Worn by Queen Ena, Infanta Maria Cristina, Queen Sofia, Queen Letizia, and Infanta Cristina.
The Spanish Diamond Loop Tiara: A tiara of tall, looping diamond elements, topped by round pearls, and featuring elongated diamond and pearl clusters in their centers, set on a pearl-studded base of diamond scrolls. Made for Queen Maria Cristina. Inherited by King Alfonso XIII in 1929. Given as a wedding present to the Countess of Barcelona in 1935. Acquired by King Juan Carlos after his mother’s death in 2000. Worn by Queen Maria Cristina, the Countess of Barcelona, Queen Sofia, Infanta Pilar, Simoneta Gomez-Acebo y de Borbon, and Queen Letizia. Worn as a wedding tiara by Infanta Pilar and Simoneta Gomez-Acebo y de Borbon.
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The Spanish Floral Tiara: A classic tiara of diamonds set in a naturalistic floral design, convertible for wear as a necklace. Made in 1879 by J.P. Collins. Given as a wedding present by King Alfonso XII to Queen Maria Cristina. Reportedly sold in the 1930s during the royal family’s exile. Acquired by Franco and presented to Queen Sofia as a wedding gift in 1962. Worn by Queen Sofia, Queen Letizia, Infanta Elena, and Infanta Cristina. Worn as a wedding tiara by Infanta Cristina.