Queen Letizia Wears Historic Floral Tiara for French State Dinner in Madrid
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron for a state dinner at Madrid's Royal Palace. Queen Letizia wore the Spanish Floral Tiara. She paired it with a flowing cape dress by Carolina Herrera, according to Town & Country.
The dinner was part of a formal state visit, the highest-level welcome one country gives another. It brings military honors, toasts and white-tie dress. Official photos posted by the Spanish Royal House show the two couples toasting at the gala table, and the palace also published the full text of King Felipe's speech.
The tiara carries almost 150 years of Spanish history. King Alfonso XII commissioned it in 1879 for Archduchess Maria Cristina of Habsburg, his future wife. It was made by Mellerio, a French jewelry house, according to Hola.
The jewel later left the family and was held by the Aldao jewelry firm. In 1962, Spanish ruler Francisco Franco purchased it for Princess Sofia of Greece ahead of her wedding to Prince Juan Carlos. Sofia later became queen. Juan Carlos, Felipe's father, later became king.
The tiara stayed in family use. Infanta Cristina, the king's sister — infanta is the title for a Spanish king's daughter who is not the heir — wore it for her wedding in 1997. Queen Letizia first wore it in 2004 after her marriage to then-Prince Felipe. It has since become one of her most-worn tiaras and a clear favorite.
Herrera is also a regular choice for the queen. The New York-based designer is one of her go-to names for major public events. The cape cut gave a formal gown a lighter shape for a long evening of toasts.
The visit was not only ceremonial. King Felipe and President Macron were scheduled to preside over the Spain-France Trade and Investment Forum the day after the state dinner. The Macrons were also scheduled to host a return reception for the Spanish couple at the French Embassy residence the night after the dinner.
What makes this stand out is the mileage. A French-made jewel, ordered for an Austrian archduchess, lost and recovered, now worn for a French president. That is a lot of history for one dinner.
