Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Happy Birthday to Queen Letizia of the Spain, who is celebrating her 52nd Birthday today! For the past decade, the Queen has been the main wearer of the historic pieces from the Spanish Jewel Vault, while also showcasing pieces from her own personal collection. On special occasions, Her Majesty has also borrowed some pieces from her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, including the Diamond Bow Brooch we are featuring today!
Made of diamonds set in platinum, this delicate bow brooch with a mesh of interlaced lines was first worn by Queen Sofia shortly after her husband’s Proclamation as King of Spain in 1975. Together with Infanta Isabel’s Pearl Brooch and Queen Frederica’s Fleur-de-Lys Brooch, this would remain one of the Queen’s most worn brooches during King Juan Carlos’ 39 years-reign.
Doña Sofia most often wore the Diamond Bow Brooch to secure the bands of her Spanish and foreign orders and decorations. Towards the end of the 1970s, the piece was worn for a Banquet held at the Royal Palace of Madrid in honour of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of the Belgians in 1978, as well as for two of the Queen’s gala appearances during the Royal couple’s State Visit to Sweden in 1979.
The Diamond Bow Brooch made notable appearances at the Vatican, where Queen Sofia, exercising the Privilège du blanc, paired it with her Spanish Mantilla and Peineta, most notably for the Funeral of Pope Paul VI in 1978, and subsequent Inauguration of Pope John Paul II, as well as a State Visit to the Holy See in 1981.
The Diamond Brooch was frequently worn from the 1980s, both in Spain and abroad, namely during the a State Visit to The Netherlands in 1981, a State Visit to Norway in 1982, a Swedish State Visit to Spain in 1983, a Chinese State Visit in 1984, a Greek State Visit in 1984, a Dutch State Visit in 1985, and a Brisith State Visit in 1988.
Queen Sofia has also paired the Bow Brooch with the Spanish Floral Tiara and her Baguette Diamond Necklace for the Wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway in 2001, and with Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Cartier Tiara, Diamond Earrings, Diamond Rivière, and Diamond Bracelets for the Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2004.
In May 2023, Queen Letizia borrowed her mother-in-law’s Bow Brooch for a Reception held at Buckingham Palace ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Coronation. Lets hope for a reappearance soon!