Queen Letizia of Spain has lent one of the most famous tiaras in Europe to an exhibition and royal fans a few weeks left to see it up close.
The tiara, the Flor de Lis, is on loan to Spain’s National Collection for a special display on Queen Victoria Eugenia who was consort to King Alfonso XIII and is a great grandmother of King Felipe VI.
The diadem is also known informally as ‘La Buena’ or the ‘Good One’ as it became one of the most prized possessions of Queen Victoria Eugenia’s family when Alfonso XIII was forced into exile.
Since the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, in 1975, it’s only been used by queens. Queen Sofia wore it for almost 40 years while Queen Letizia has used it often since her husband took the throne.
She famously wore it at Buckingham Palace when she made a State Visit to the UK with King Felipe.
As well as being packed with royal history, the tiara is a spectacular piece of jewellery. It was given to Victoria Eugenia when she married King Alfonso XIII of Spain and it became symbolic of her time as consort. Her reign co-incided with political turmoil in Spain and her time as queen began with drama too. As she and her new husband travelled back to their palace from their wedding ceremony, they came under attack from an anarchist. The bomb blast around them killed several but Ena was told the show must go on and she walked into her reception with blood stains on her wedding dress.
As well as being suitably large for a queen, it was also covered with fleur de lis, the symbol of the House of Bourbon, Alfonso XIII’s dynasty.
The tiara was used by Queen Ena throughout her reign and when her royal family was forced into exile, in 1931, it was one of the pieces they made sure to save. It survived the formal dissolution of Spain’s monarchy and the long years of exile. When the monarchy was restored, under King Juan Carlos in 1975, the tiara made its way back into the royal vaults.
Queen Sofia of Spain wore it often and, following the accession of King Felipe VI in 2014, Queen Letizia has been its wearer. It is reserved for the current Queen of Spain.
The jewel is one of the star exhibits in the display ‘Victoria Eugenia’ at the Royal Collection Gallery in Madrid. Also on show are paintings, letters and photographs telling the story of the queen as well as several of her outfits including court dress and an ermine trimmed train. Her tragic wedding day is also told with a royal carriage featuring in that display and there is a special focus on her work during wartime.
The exhibition runs until Easter Sunday, April 5, meaning there is still time to get to Madrid and enjoy a close up look at this forgotten but tragic queen and the stunning tiara now made famous by a 21st century consort.
You can find out more about the exhibition on the museum’s website including admission times and prices.
