Happy Birthday to Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo, who turns 60 today! The elder sister of the current Spanish Sovereign, the Infanta was a working member of the Spanish Royal family for almost three decades, amassing a splendid jewellery collection, which includes several contemporary pieces, such as her Sapphire Suite!
Made of yellow gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds and large sapphires, this exquisite Suite comprises a necklace, a pair of earrings, and a bracelet. Each piece presents delicate naturalistic motifs, with elegant flowers centred by striking sapphires. While the exact origin of the set remains unknown, it is believed that it may have been a gift from a foreign dignitary.
Doña Elena started wearing during her youth, notably pairing it with the Spanish Floral Tiara for a banquet at the Royal Palace of Madrid given in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, during Her Majesty’s historic State Visit to Spain in 1988.
The Infanta continued to wear her Sapphire Suite throughout the decades, albeit less frequently than some of her other jewels. Despite its occasional appearances, the set remained a cherished part of her collection, often reserved for significant events or formal occasions.
In this past year, it seems that the Duchess of Lugo has made a conscious effort to bring renewed attention to the Sapphire Suite. By incorporating the set into her public appearances and significant events, notably wearing the Necklace for the Wedding of Victoria López-Quesada y Borbón and Enrique Moreno de la Cova Ybarra.
Doña Elena also wore parts of the Sapphire Suite for the Marriage Celebrations of her first cousin, Princess Theodora of Greece, wearing the Necklace for the Pre-Wedding Dinner and Party at Athens’ Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the Bracelet for the Wedding Ceremony on the day after. There is no doubt we will continue to see this stunning piece for years to come!
This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!
