royal jewelry

Princess Leonor wears Queen Sofía's treasured royal jewels for the first time, something even Queen Letizia has never done

The earrings have a fascinating history that dates back more than six decades

OCTOBER 23, 2026 2:19 PM EDTOCT 23, 2026, 2:19 PM EDT

Princess Leonor made a dazzling appearance at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards, but it wasn't just her elegant outfit that caught everyone's attention.

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The future queen of Spain marked a special moment in royal jewelry history by wearing a pair of treasured ruby and diamond earrings belonging to her grandmother, Queen Sofía.

Princess Leonor wore a striking magenta dress and her grandmother Queen Sofía's historic ruby and diamond earrings at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo.

The 20-year-old royal stepped out in Oviedo on Friday, October 23, alongside her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, her younger sister, Infanta Sofía, and her grandmother, Queen Sofía. For the occasion, Leonor chose a sophisticated magenta midi dress by Hannibal Laguna, featuring short sleeves, a fitted waist, and a flowing skirt.

She completed the ensemble with coordinating accessories and a pair of striking ruby and diamond drop earrings that perfectly complemented the rich color of her dress.

Queen Sofía looked elegant in a white gown paired with a dazzling ruby and diamond necklace and matching earrings at an event in 1976. Decades later, her granddaughter Princess Leonor would bring the historic earrings back into the spotlight.

However, the sparkling accessories carried a much deeper significance. According to Spanish reports, this marks the first known occasion that Queen Sofía has lent the historic earrings to another member of the royal family, making Leonor's choice particularly meaningful.

A special gift from Queen Frederica of Greece:

The earrings have a fascinating history that dates back more than six decades, connecting three generations of royal women.

The jewels originally belonged to Queen Frederica of Greece, Queen Sofía's mother, who reportedly gifted them to her daughter around the time of her marriage to the future King Juan Carlos I in Athens on May 14, 1962.

The elaborate earrings feature red cabochon rubies surrounded by sparkling diamonds, with each piece incorporating two ruby elements.

Their design complements the famous Niarchos ruby collection, which Queen Sofía received as a wedding gift from Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.

Queen Frederica of Greece, Princess Leonor's great-grandmother, pictured in London on June 19, 1969. The late queen reportedly gifted her daughter, Queen Sofía, the ruby and diamond earrings that Leonor wore at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards.

The collection included an impressive ruby and diamond necklace, along with a diamond tiara. However, the necklace's individual elements were not designed to be worn as earrings, making Queen Frederica's gift a particularly fitting addition to her daughter's jewelry collection.

The connection between the pieces highlights the extraordinary collection of jewels Queen Sofía received when she married into the Spanish royal family.

A royal heirloom that even Queen Letizia has never worn:

What makes Leonor's appearance especially noteworthy is that the earrings have remained exclusively associated with Queen Sofía for decades.

Queen Sofía wore her treasured ruby and diamond earrings during a gala dinner honoring French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Royal Palace in Madrid on April 27, 2009. The historic jewels were later worn by her granddaughter, Princess Leonor, at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards.

According to reports, the former queen had never previously lent them to her daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, or even to her daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia. Now, Leonor appears to have become the first royal to wear the treasured pieces outside her grandmother's own jewelry collection.

The moment carries special significance for the young princess, who is preparing for her future role as queen and increasingly embracing the traditions and responsibilities associated with the Spanish monarchy.

The future queen of Spain paired her elegant magenta midi dress with sparkling heels and a matching clutch, allowing her historic jewelry to take center stage.

By wearing the earrings, Leonor brought a piece of her family's history into the spotlight, connecting her appearance to the legacy of both Queen Sofía and Queen Frederica of Greece.

A meaningful family moment in Oviedo:

The jewelry debut took place during one of the most important annual events on the Spanish royal calendar.

The Princess of Asturias Awards recognize outstanding achievements in fields including the arts, literature, science, sports and international cooperation.

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain and Princess Sofia of Spain during an audience to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards

This year's honorees include Lionel Messi, Patti Smith, Julian Barnes and Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. Leonor also took on a significant responsibility during the celebrations, receiving the award winners in a solo audience for the first time, another milestone in her growing public role.

With Queen Sofía joining the family for the occasion, the historic earrings added a sentimental dimension to the gathering. And while Leonor's magenta dress made an elegant fashion statement, it was the jewelry inherited through generations of royal women that made her appearance particularly memorable.