Queen Letizia of Spain has lent one of the most famous tiaras in
Europe to an exhibition and royal fans a few weeks left to see it
up close.

The tiara, the Flor de Lis, is on loan to Spain’s National
Collection for a special display on Queen Victoria Eugenia who was
consort to King Alfonso XIII and is a great grandmother of King
Felipe VI.

The diadem is also known informally as ‘La Buena’ or the ‘Good
One’ as it became one of the most prized possessions of Queen
Victoria Eugenia’s family when Alfonso XIII was forced into
exile.

Since the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, in 1975, it’s
only been used by queens. Queen Sofia wore it for almost 40 years
while
Queen Letizia has used it often since her husband took the
throne.

She famously wore it at Buckingham Palace when she made a State
Visit to the UK with King Felipe.

As well as being packed with royal history, the tiara is a
spectacular piece of jewellery. It was given to Victoria Eugenia
when she married King Alfonso XIII of Spain and it became symbolic
of her time as consort. Her reign co-incided with political turmoil
in Spain and her time as queen began with drama too. As she and her
new husband travelled back to their palace from their wedding
ceremony, they came under attack from an anarchist. The bomb blast
around them killed several but Ena was told the show must go on and
she walked into her reception with blood stains on her wedding
dress.

As well as being suitably large for a queen, it was also covered
with fleur de lis, the symbol of the House of Bourbon, Alfonso
XIII’s dynasty.

The tiara was used by Queen Ena throughout her reign and when
her royal family was forced into exile, in 1931, it was one of the
pieces they made sure to save. It survived the formal dissolution
of Spain’s monarchy and the long years of exile. When the monarchy
was restored, under King Juan Carlos in 1975, the tiara made its
way back into the royal vaults.

Queen Sofia of Spain wore it often and, following the accession
of King Felipe VI in 2014, Queen Letizia has been its wearer. It is
reserved for the current Queen of Spain.

The jewel is one of the star exhibits in the display ‘Victoria
Eugenia’ at the Royal Collection Gallery in Madrid. Also on show
are paintings, letters and photographs telling the story of the
queen as well as several of her outfits including court dress and
an ermine trimmed train. Her tragic wedding day is also told with a
royal carriage featuring in that display and there is a special
focus on her work during wartime.

The exhibition runs until Easter Sunday, April 5, meaning there
is still time to get to Madrid and enjoy a close up look at this
forgotten but tragic queen and the stunning tiara now made famous
by a 21st century consort.

You can find out more about the exhibition on the museum’s website including admission
times and prices.