Letizia, the Queen, adopts an aesthetic similar to Audrey Hepburn, sporting a black dress and carrying a set of historical pearls.
## The Fascinating History and Significance of Queen Letizia's Pearl Necklace
Pearls have long been a symbol of grace and elegance in royal circles, and the Spanish Royal Family is no exception. Among the treasured jewels of the Spanish Royal Collection is a remarkable pearl necklace, which recently made headlines when it was worn by Queen Letizia during a significant military ceremony in Madrid.
This exquisite necklace, consisting of 37 large, white, round pearls, has a rich history that spans over a century. The pearl necklace was purchased in St. Petersburg by King Alfonso XII in 1878, and it has since been passed down through generations. Queen Victoria Eugenie, also known as Queen Ena, was the most recent monarch to own the necklace before Queen Letizia.
Queen Ena, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and King Felipe's great-grandmother, established the "joyas de pasar," a royal collection of jewelry intended to be passed from monarch to monarch. The pearl necklace is part of this esteemed collection, and it is now worn by Queen Letizia on special occasions.
Queen Letizia, who was a journalist and TV presenter before she married King Felipe in 2004, has been known to wear pieces from the Spanish royal family's collection. During the Pascua Militar ceremony at the Royal Palace on January 06, 2025, Queen Letizia accessorized her strapless dress by Spanish label Sybilla with the pearl necklace, black leather pumps, and a black clutch by Spanish brand Magrit.
In addition to the military ceremony, Queen Letizia has worn the pearl necklace on other notable occasions. For instance, she wore it during a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2018, and at the 105th edition of the ABC Journalism awards in Madrid.
Rachel King, a news writer at Town & Country, has been following Queen Letizia's fashion choices closely. Before joining Town & Country, Rachel spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Rachel can be followed on Instagram at [Instagram handle].
Rachel King lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Although the pearl necklace is a significant part of the Spanish Royal Collection, its history and significance extend far beyond the borders of Spain, making it a shining example of the enduring allure of pearls in royal jewelry.
- Pearls are traditionally symbols of grace and elegance, and are widely admired in royal circles, as evidenced by Queen Letizia's pearl necklace.
- The Spanish Royal Collection houses an impressive pearl necklace, which was purchased by King Alfonso XII in 1878, and has since been passed through multiple generations of monarchs.
- Queen Letizia, formerly a journalist and TV presenter, often wears pieces from the Spanish royal family's collection, including the pearl necklace, on significant occasions.
- In February 2025, Queen Letizia wore the pearl necklace during the Pascua Militar ceremony, accessorizing her strapless dress and black leather pumps with the timeless piece.
- The pearl necklace is part of the "joyas de pasar," a royal collection of jewelry meant to be passed from monarch to monarch, and it was previously owned by Queen Victoria Eugenie, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
- Queen Letizia's choice to wear the pearl necklace has sparked interest in fashion and beauty news outlets, with Rachel King, a news writer at Town & Country, closely following her fashion choices.
- In addition to the military ceremony, Queen Letizia has worn the pearl necklace on other occasions, such as during a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2018, and at the 105th edition of the ABC Journalism awards in Madrid.
- The enduring allure of pearls in royal jewelry is evident in the history and significance of Queen Letizia's pearl necklace, reaching far beyond the borders of Spain and remaining a captivating symbol in fashion, art, and culture.
