The life of Victoria Eugenia de Battenberg is one of those lives that deserves to be told in a book or in a television series. Both are already a reality when it comes to this monarch, with a book signed by Pilar Eyre (although it is not the only one) and a series (ENA. La reina Victoria Eugenia) broadcasted since last month on RTVE. In addition to all this, there is an exceptional exhibition which is already open on floor -3 of the Royal Collections Gallery, with more than 350 objects and reproductions of the rooms and rooms that the queen used while she lived in the southeast wing of the Royal Palace.
The exhibition (inaugurated by Their Majesties the King and Queen this week), is an exhibition on the life and legacy of Victoria Eugenia, who is considered to have “updated the role of Spanish consorts” (in the words of the director of the Royal Collections Gallery, Victor Cageao). It is divided into eight sections, starting with her childhood in England, her courtship and accidental marriage to Alfonso XIII, her personal hobbies, her role as a mother, her institutional work, her social involvement and her departure from Spain in 1931.
The jewel in the crown: the Fleur de Lis tiara, on public display for the first time since 2009.
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Among the most valuable and curious objects, there is the famous Fleur de Lis tiara which was a wedding gift from Alfonso XIII and, undoubtedly, one of the favorite “passing jewels” among the queens of Spain (in particular, Queen Letizia, who has worn it on various special occasions). It is one of the most impressive tiaras in the royal jewelry box and contains 450 diamonds, ten pearls, all set in a platinum structure.
In addition, among the 350 pieces we will find love letters that Victoria Eugenia wrote to Alfonso XIII during their engagement, also the mahogany car in which Victoria Eugenia was transferred to the church of Los Jerónimos to get married, books from the queen’s personal library, portraits of Sorolla, Benlliure, Philip de László, decorations … or an impressive painting by Alfonso Grosso that portrays the couple in an institutional visit to the Ibero-American Exposition in Seville in 1929.
Another highlight of the exhibition is the reproduction of the Queen’s personal rooms, such as her bedroom or her office, which were located in the southeast wing of the Royal Palace, providing an immersive aspect to the exhibition.
Opening hours, ticket prices and free tours
The exhibition will be open until April 5 during the following hours: from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on holidays.
Admission is free from Monday to Thursday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and allows entry to the Victoria Eugenia exhibition.
Admission to the exhibition is included in the general visit to the Gallery (14 €), but you can purchase a specific ticket for the exhibition for 8 €, which also includes admission to the exhibition of Royal Toys.
A second exhibition with the same ticket: Juguetes Reales (Real Toys)
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From December 16, also on floor -3 of the Royal Collections Gallery, will open its doors a second temporary exhibition that fits perfectly with the Christmas theme: Royal Toys is an exhibition that will bring together the objects given to children of the Spanish monarchy between the mid-nineteenth century and the first third of the twentieth century. Among the works on display are an automatic baby, a magic lantern plate and a curious stereoscope.
Gift Gallery: a cultural experience this Christmas
During these dates, the Royal Collections Gallery proposes a very gift plan: a Christmas promotion consisting of 2 tickets for 22 €. These Gift Gallery tickets are valid until June 2026.