Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Susan of Albania, who passed away on this day in 2004! The Australian-born Consort of the exiled King Leka II, Queen Susan possessed some lovely jewels, including this Diamond Necklace!
Following the sale of Queen Geraldine’s Diamond Goat Tiara in the 1950s, in the early 1970s, exiled King Leka II of Albania commissioned a series of Jewels from a Court Jeweller of the Iranian Imperial Family, which included the Sapphire Goat Tiara, a Sapphire Suite and possibly also this striking Diamond Necklace.
While the Diamond Necklace is mostly associated with Queen Susan, it may have been worn by her mother-in-law, Queen Geraldine, for a Banquet in 1975.
Queen Susan most notably paired the Diamond Necklace with the Sapphire Goat Tiara and Sapphire Suite for a series of portraits in the 1980s.
After Queen Susan’s death in 2004, the Diamond Necklace was among the jewels inherited by her only son, Crown Prince Leka II of Albania, and was worn by his fiancee, Elia Zaharia, in the early 2010s.
Later, Crown Princess Elia wore Queen Susan’s Diamond Necklace with Queen Geraldine’s Ruby Earrings for an Official Portrait.
Crown Princess Elia also paired Queen Susan’s Diamond Necklace with the Sapphire Goat Tiara and Queen Geraldine’s Ruby Earrings for another Official portrait in 2019. Following their divorce earlier this year, we might not see the Diamond Necklace for a while, but it may be worn by baby Princess Geraldine in a few years.
Romanian Greek Key Tiara
Diamond Spike Tiara
Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara
Sapphire Suite
Pearl Earrings
Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
Diamond Sautoir