Happy Birthday to Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, who turns 85 today! The middle daughter of the last Italian King, who is an accomplished author preserving the history and legacy of the House of Savoy, Princess Maria Gabriella possesses several Savoy Royal Heirlooms, highlighted by her Petochi Pearl Tiara!
Petochi Pearl Tiara | Duchess of Aosta’s Musy Pearl Tiara | Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet Bandeau | Pearl and Diamond Ivy Wreath Tiara | Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s Diamond Bandeau | Queen Marie Jose’s Sapphire Necklace | Princess de Réthy’s Cartier Flower Tiara
In the 1950s, King Umberto II of Italy had his mother’s Devant de Corsage converted into a Pearl and Diamond Ivy Wreath Tiara by his favourite jeweller Petochi,, while other heirloom pearls and diamonds were used to create this striking Tiara for his middle daughter, Princess Maria Gabriella, who said:
her father King Umberto II was passionate about art, including using jewels from his collection to commission wedding pieces for Queen Marie-José as well as works for his family throughout his life.
Princess Maria Gabriella first wore the Petochi Pearl Tiara for the Wedding Ball of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece in 1962.
Princess Maria Gabriella also wore the Petochi Pearl Tiara with Queen Marie-Jose’s Bow Brooch and the Duchess of Aosta’s Musy Pearl Earrings for the Wedding Gala of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in 1964.
In the 1980s, Princess Maria Gabriella wore the Petochi Pearl Tiara for a striking Portrait, which was used when the Princess wrote a book on the Jewellery of the House of Savoy with Stefano Papi in 2007.
Most recently, Princess Maria Gabriella’s Petochi Pearl Tiara was worn by her daughter, Marie Elizabeth Zellinger de Balkan, for her wedding to Olivier Janssens in 2002. Lets hope we see this striking Royal Heirloom worn again soon!
Petochi Pearl Tiara | Duchess of Aosta’s Musy Pearl Tiara | Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet Bandeau | Pearl and Diamond Ivy Wreath Tiara | Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s Diamond Bandeau | Queen Marie Jose’s Sapphire Necklace | Princess de Réthy’s Cartier Flower Tiara
Petochi Pearl Tiara
Duchess of Aosta’s Musy Pearl Tiara
Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet Bandeau
Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s Diamond Bandeau
Pearl and Diamond Ivy Wreath Tiara
Queen Marie Jose’s Sapphire Necklace
Princess de Réthy’s Cartier Flower Tiara
Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara
Savoy Tourmaline Tiara
Queen Marie-José’s Sapphire Necklace
Savoy Ears of Wheat and Flower Tiara
Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara
Beauharnais Pearl Tiara
Bow Brooch
Sapphire Necklace
Diamond Earrings
Savoy Knot Brooches
Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet Bandeau
Savoy Tourmaline Tiara
Queen Elena’s Emerald Tiara
Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara
Savoy Knot Tiara
Diamond Wreath Tiara
Pearl Bracelet Bandeau
