The stunning pearl tiara that’s become a favourite of Queen Letizia

The Spanish Royal Family has an historic collection of jewels, including the famous joyas de pasar (a collection worn only by the Queen of Spain).

However, there are several other pieces outside of the royal collection that are so impressive they tend to be worn only by queens. Among them is Queen Maria Cristina’s Diamond and Pearl Loop Tiara. 

Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria married King Alfonso XII of Spain in 1879 and as his second wife became Queen Maria Cristina of Spain. After Alfonso’s death in 1885, she served as regent for their son, King Alfonso XII, from 1886 until 1902 when he came of age. 

The Spanish Queen Regent asked jeweller Francisco Marzo to create the tiara in 1886. Set in platinum, the double diamond loops feature round pearls set in the middle, as well as at the top. She wore the gem for the rest of her life, including at family events. 

The jewel passed to her son, King Alfonso XIII, who then gave it to his daughter-in-law, the Countess of Barcelona, as a wedding gift.

The countess, mother of King Juan Carlos, wore the Diamond and Pearl Loop Tiara to her son’s marriage to Princess Sofia of Greece and Denmark. She left the tiara to Sofia upon her death, with Queen Sofia wearing it for several State Visits. 

Queen Letizia has also taken to wearing the impressive tiara. Her first outing with the tiara was at the State Dinner for the President of China in Madrid in 2018.