Happy Birthday to Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, who turns 84 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 has possessed several Savoy Royal Heirlooms, but today’s piece was inherited from her legendary Belgian Grandmother: Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s Diamond Bandeau!

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

A flexible Diamond Bandeau in the Belle Epoque style, which could be worn with either a Sapphire or an Aquamarine Brooch at its centre, the Bandeau dates from the the 1910s and was made by Altenloh, when  Queen Elisabeth was building her jewellery collection after the First World War. This bandeau was one of the earliest acquisitions, followed by Queen Elisabeth acquiring the iconic Cartier Bandeau Tiara and her Art Deco Diamond Bandeau Tiara.

Queen Elisabeth wore her Diamond Bandeau for a plethora of Official Portraits and Gala Occasions in the early 1920s, including for a State Visit from Britain in 1922 and on a Visit to the Vatican in 1922.

While Queen Elisabeth usually wore her Cartier Bandeau Tiara for the next few decades, this Diamond Bandeau made a notable appearance at Queen Juliana’s Inauguration Gala in Amsterdam in 1948.

After Queen Elisabeth’s death in 1965, the Diamond Bandeau was inherited by her only daughter, Queen Marie José of Italy, who wore it only once publicly, at some point in the late 1970s or 1980s, possibly in Mexico.

Queen Marie José left the Diamond Bandeau to her daughter, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, who has always worn it as a Necklace with the Aquamarine Pendant on a couple of occasions, including for Prince Henrik of Denmark’s 70th Birthday Gala at Fredensborg Palace in 2004.

Princess Maria Gabriella has continued to wear the Bandeau as a Necklace in recent years, including for the Wedding of Prince Philip of Hesse at Schloss Panker in 2006. Since Queen Elisabeth’s Bandeau has not appeared at Auction like many of the jewels inherited by Princess Maria Gabriella, this Heirloom will probably pass on to her only daughter!

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

Duchess of Aosta’s Musy Pearl Tiara