Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark was graced with a spectacular assortment of jewels on her wedding day in 1962. In addition to the Prussian Tiara, bestowed by her

parents, King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece, and the Mellerio Shell Tiara, a gift from her in-laws, Infante Juan and Infanta María, she received the Spanish Floral Tiara as a present from Generalísimo Francisco Franco, the longtime dictator of Spain.

However, one of the most remarkable treasures she received was the Niarchos Ruby Bandeau and accompanying parure, gifted by Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, a billionaire of immense wealth.

The Niarchos Ruby Bandeau is a stunning creation, featuring a series of ruby and diamond clusters. The rubies, all cabochon-cut, are set in alternating clusters, each adorned with an additional row of rubies along the outer edge, separated by diamond links.

Crafted by the renowned jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels, this versatile bandeau tiara can be worn in either a single row or a double row. Queen Sofía, who received this magnificent piece, has also been seen wearing it atop a velvet band to enhance its height. To complement the ensemble, Queen Sofía was gifted necklaces and bracelets of various lengths, as well as a pair of earrings.

While Queen Sofía may not frequently wear this bandeau tiara in recent years, she did adorn it on one of the most momentous occasions in her royal life—the day her husband, King Juan Carlos, ascended to the throne of Spain in 1975.

In 1969, Generalísimo Francisco Franco designated Infante Juan Carlos as his successor, bypassing Juan, Juan Carlos's father, in the hope that Juan Carlos would continue his political legacy. However, in 1975, on November 22nd, King Juan Carlos was proclaimed king, with Queen Sofía resplendent in her ruby-adorned ensemble at his side.

Among Spanish royalty, Queen Sofía remains the sole wearer of the Niarchos Ruby Bandeau, a testament to the enduring allure and historical significance of this remarkable piece. Photo by Reporters Associés via IMS Vintage Photos, Wikimedia commons.