Queen Ena’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara was given as a wedding present to the future Queen Ena of Spain, born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg.
She married King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1906 and received the tiara, which was made by Ansorena, from her mother-in-law, Queen Maria Christina. The tiara was part of a larger parure. However, Victoria Eugenie was never photographed wearing it.
During the 1920s, Victoria Eugenie asked Cartier to rework the old tiara and make a new one. The Cartier tiara is made of diamonds set in platinum, featuring eight large pearls set in the centre of each of the large scrolling diamond elements. The pearl could be swapped out with emeralds, and an additional pearl could be added at the top.
After Victoria Eugenie, she left the tiara to her daughter, Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain, Countess Marone-Cinzano. After her death in 1996, the tiara was returned to the Spanish royals, although it remains unclear if it was inherited or purchased.
Queen Sofia was able to wear it, and she has lent it out to her daughter, Infanta Cristina.
It is now worn by Queen Letizia.1
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