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Queen Sofia of Spain celebrates her birthday today, and we’re joining in the festivities with a look at a major set of ruby and diamond jewels from her collection.
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In July 2008, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain welcomed King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to Madrid, hosting a gala dinner in his honor at the Royal Palace. Abdullah reigned until his death in 2015, and his brother, King Salman, is now (at least nominally) on the throne.
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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were joined by the Prince and Princess of Asturias (now King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia) for the dinner. It was a semi-formal occasion, with the men in business suits and the women in gala attire with sparkling jewels but no tiaras.
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Queen Sofia selected a black evening ensemble, festooned with sequins and fringe, for the dinner.
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She accessorized with some major pieces of jewelry: diamond and ruby statement earrings and a matching bracelet. She also wore diamond rings on both hands, and I believe the piece on her left wrist is an evening watch.
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Here’s another look at the diamond and ruby pieces from the dinner. The imposing jewels have a modern floral design.
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According to my notes, Sofia only wore the earrings and bracelet on this particular occasion, which has led many to speculate that they were a diplomatic gift from King Abdullah. The size and design of the pieces also suggest a Middle Eastern provenance. It’ll be interesting to see whether Queen Letizia ever wears the earrings or the bracelet for a relevant diplomatic occasion in the future.
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