El joyero de la reina (Spanish Edition)

A novel centered on the jewels of Spain's queens, particularly those that marked the dramatic life of Victoria Eugenia and are worn today by Queen Letizia. Jewels serve as guardians of time and keepers of the secrets—both love and heartbreak—of those who have worn them. Queens have displayed them as both amulets and symbols of power. The novel offers a different perspective on Victoria Eugenia of Battemberg, the last Spanish queen before the Second Republic. She arrived from England to Spain in 1906 to marry Alfonso XIII, bringing new customs to court and provoking criticism for what were seen as transgressions. Her life unfolded amid political conspiracies, assassination attempts, disappointments, and exile. As her life deteriorated due to a blood disease inherited by some of her children and the king's constant infidelities, her jeweler, Ramiro García-Ansorena, taught her the history and lives of Spain's queens through their jewels. He showed her that diamonds, pearls, and precious stones would be her strength and security: "A jewel is the only thing that lasts forever." Her extraordinary diamond collar grew as the king's indifference toward her deepened, as he gave her jewels to buy her forgiveness. Victoria Eugenia left in her will the "jewels to pass on" now held by Queen Letizia, each harboring secrets, some terrible.