Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
If you’re searching for a versatile tiara, look no further than the set of rubies owned by Queen Sofía of Spain. This tiara has been worn in two forms: with one strand of rubies and diamonds set in gold and placed on a frame, as well as with two strands stacked to form a more substantial diadem.
The rubies, made by Van Cleef and Arpels, were given as a wedding gift to Sofía in 1962 by Stavros Niarchos, the famous Greek shipping magnate. (Sofía was born Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark.) The ruby set was part of a treasure trove of wedding gifts, which also included the Prussian Tiara (from her parents), the Mellerio Shell Tiara (from her new in-laws), and the Spanish Floral Tiara (from Franco). You can read more about all of the tiaras from the Spanish collection over here.
Sofia wore pieces from the Niarchos parure at one of the most important events of her life: the proclamation of her husband, Juan Carlos, as King of Spain.
Sofia’s ruby parure also includes several necklaces and bracelets of various lengths and a pair of earrings.
She wore the Niarchos rubies more frequently in years past, but she’s also been seen wearing the single-strand version of the tiara in recent years, as she did at the 2009 state visit from President Sarkozy of France.
Sofía’s set of rubies is similar to several other Van Cleef and Arpels ruby sets. Princess Grace of Monaco borrowed a similar suite of rubies for an event at Versailles in the 1970s. Sofia’s rubies are also similar to those owned by another member of the Greek royal family: Marina Karella, the wife of Prince Michael of Greece. Movie stars loved the style, too: Audrey Hepburn also owned a similar necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels.
10. The Danish royal family gathered for their annual photo call at Grasten in late July, and Queen Margrethe wore earrings featuring one of her favorite symbols: the daisy. (Margrethe’s nickname is Daisy, based on the French name for the flower, marguerite.) I believe these are by Georg Jensen, a Danish jewelry firm whose daisy pieces are one of their trademarks.
9. Margrethe also wore the earrings, plus a large daisy brooch, in August during a visit to an art exhibition curated by Prince Henrik in France. The exhibition features pieces by Greenlandic artists.
8. At Grasten, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark layered necklaces, including a large statement piece.
7. In Palma de Mallorca in August, Mary was spotted wearing delicate necklaces and bracelets.
6. Mary also donned the same necklaces with a petite pair of earrings at Copenhagen Fashion Week on Friday.
5. As we discussed earlier this month, Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore statement earrings to the religious nuptials of Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo. (Unfortunately, photos of the other guests aren’t available for me to use here.)
4. In late July, Princess Eugenie wore glittering pendant earrings at the Goodwood Festival.
3. The Duchess of Cornwall donned pearl earrings with her diamond and sapphire dragonfly brooches at the Sandringham Flower Show on July 29.
2. On August 5, Queen Sofia of Spain donned golden earrings and layered gold necklaces at an official reception in Palma de Mallorca.
1. Queen Letizia (and King Felipe) also attended the reception in Mallorca; she wore a beautiful pair of modern pendant earrings.