![China's President Hu Jintao makes a toast with Spain's Queen Sofia, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Spain's Princess Cristina during a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia01.jpg?resize=1200%2C771&ssl=1)
Our Sparkling Spotlight continues to shine this week on gala jewels worn by Queen Sofia of Spain, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow. Today, we’ve got a glamorous appearance in diamonds and pearls from 2005.
![Spanish Queen Sofia, China's first lady Liu Yongqing, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Spain's King Juan Carlos smile before an official dinner at Royal Palace in Madrid 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia04.jpg?resize=1200%2C992&ssl=1)
In November 2005, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain hosted President Hu Jintao of China and his wife, Liu Yongqing, for a state visit.
![Spanish Queen Sofia, China's first lady Liu Yongqing, Spain's King Juan Carlos and Chinese President Hu Jintao Spain's King Juan Carlos enter in the throne room before an official dinner at Royal Palace in Madrid 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia05.jpg?resize=1200%2C1638&ssl=1)
The first evening of the visit featured a grand state dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, attended by the presidential couple and several members of the Spanish royal family.
![Spanish Queen Sofia and Spain's King Juan Carlos wait for China's first lady Liu Yongqing and Chinese President Hu Jintao before an official dinner at Royal Palace in Madrid 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1612&ssl=1)
Queen Sofia wore a vibrant purple evening gown for the dinner with the blue and white sash of the Order of Charles III. She pinned the order’s star near the neckline of her dress.
![Spanish Prince Felipe, Queen Sofia, China's first lady Liu Yongqing, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Spain's King Juan Carlos, pose before a official dinner at Royal Palace in Madrid 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia06.jpg?resize=1200%2C1710&ssl=1)
Queen Sofia accessorized with diamonds and pearls, including several pieces with major royal provenance. Her diamond and pearl tiara is a legacy from her husband’s grandmother, Queen Ena. The tiara was made by dismantling and reimagining one of Ena’s wedding gifts, and during its time in her jewelry box, it also featured an emerald setting. That made it an excellent partner for her emerald necklace, which we recently discussed here. Now, however, the tiara is worn solely in this pearl setting. (Today, it’s worn by Queen Letizia.)
![China's President Hu Jintao makes a toast with Spain's Queen Sofia, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Spain's Princess Cristina during a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1738&ssl=1)
Queen Sofia paired the tiara with other pieces of Ena’s jewelry, including the diamond bracelets from the joyas de pasar collection. I believe this is also the joyas de pasar pearl necklace. She also wore modern pearl drop earrings and secured her order sash with a fleur-de-lis brooch.
![Jaime de Marichalar and his wife Princess Elena, Spanish Prince Felipe, Queen Sofia, China's first lady Liu Yongqing, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Spain's King Juan Carlos, Princess Cristina and her husband Inaki Urdangarin, pose before an official dinner at Royal Palace in Madrid 14 November 2005](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-1101-sofia07.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
There were a few other royal tiaras at the dinner that evening, too. Queen Letizia (then the Princess of Asturias) was absent because she had just given birth to Infanta Leonor. But Sofia’s daughters were both present. Infanta Elena wore the Marichalar Meander Tiara, while Infanta Cristina wore the Spanish Floral Tiara—the tiaras that both princesses wore on their wedding days.
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