Today marks the 5th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Christina of the Netherlands, who passed away on this day in 2019! King Willem-Alexander’s musical aunt, who was born blind and gave up her succession rights to marry her Cuban ex-husband, Princess Christina once wore Queen Juliana’s Gold and Turquoise Chain!
While the exact origin of this Gold and Turquoise Chain with a striking detachable Gold and Turquoise Heart Pendant is unknown, it seems to ahem been acquired by Queen Juliana by the early 1960s, though it could be an earlier Art Nouveau piece.
Queen Juliana began wearing the Gold and Turquoise Chain in the early 1960s, usually for less formal daytime engagements and visits.
Queen Juliana also wore the detachable Gold and Turquoise Heart Pendant separately, suspended from a gold chain, for a handful of appearances.
In 1975, Queen Juliana’s Gold and Turquoise Chain was worn by her youngest daughter, Princess Christina, for the announcement of her engagement to Jorge Pérez y Guillermo.
The Gold and Turquoise Chain was periodically worn by Queen Juliana for daytime engagements throughout the 1970s, but disappeared from public view as fashions changed.
After a gap of several decades, Queen Juliana’s Gold and Turquoise Chain was debuted by Queen Máxima in Perth at the start of a State Visit to Australia in 2016.
More recently, Queen Máxima wore Queen Juliana’s Gold and Turquoise Chain for a Reception hosted by the Governor of the State of New York in Albany in June 2024. There is no doubt we will continue to see the Turquoise Chain for years to come!
