Nieves Herrero presents 'The queen's jeweler', the history of passing jewels

Nieves Herrero is synonymous with effort, dedication and passion for journalism. With more than 30 years of experience behind her, the journalist from Madrid has become over time a benchmark on the national scene. In 2001 she decided to delve into her first novel 'Esa luna rota', a work that marked the beginning of her career as a writer. Since then, she has published a total of nine books, among which 'Lo que hid their eyes' stands out, whose television adaptation obtained record data in audiences.

With great emotion and enthusiasm, Nieves Herrero has presented her new novel, entitled 'The queen's jeweler'. The work tells the story of Victoria Eugenia, wife of Alfonso XIII and great-grandmother of the current King Felipe VI, and the famous "jewels of passing". A collection of jewels of incalculable value that has passed from queen to queen as part of a ritual established by Victoria Eugenia herself and whose objective was to transmit power to her successors. The starting point of the work is the reception by Doña Letizia of the legacy from the hands of Queen Sofía. It is from this moment that she begins to be interested in them and asks those closest to her to tell her their stories.

The presentation took place in the Salón de Columnas of the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid and was attended by the editor of the work, Carmen Romero, the novelist María Dueñas, Carmen Lomana and Norma Duval. “Even though the pandemic continues, I want to thank you for being here today. You are friends, family and those who always support me. The fact of releasing this book at such a difficult time means a lot to me”, commented the journalist at the beginning of the presentation.

After the opening of the event, the editor of the novel, Carmen Romero, took the floor to praise the figure of Nieves and the way in which she fuses her profession as a journalist with that of a writer. “She has never stopped being the journalist that she has always been and that is why she always chooses real women from the history of Spain. As a journalist she tells her details and as a writer her life in a humane and interesting way”, she commented.

Subsequently, the writer of the novels 'The time between seams' and 'Sidi', María Dueñas, has shown her excitement at being able to participate in the presentation of a new work by Nieves Herrero. A work that, as she has commented, "is drunk as the pages advance" and whose main substance is two actions: on the one hand, the queen's jewelery box and on the other, the protagonist, Victoria Eugenia herself . This queen, as she has commented the next to intervene, Carmen Lomana, loved jewels since she was a child, taking her grandmother Victoria as an example. "For her they were a consolation for her sorrows," she explained. In addition, as a lover of jewelry, Lomana has made a mention of the importance that they have for many women. “Speaking of jewelry is something infinite. Through the jewels we can learn another history of the monarchy. Throughout history it has been security for many women. Behind a jewel there is always a story, be it love or infidelity. Even an infidelity can bring a jewel ”, she commented among the laughter of the attendees.

The protagonist of the night, Nieves Herrero, has been excited to be able to count on the participation of Norma Duval. The Catalan vedette was in charge of presenting, on her day, the best seller 'What her eyes hid' and on this occasion she repeats with one goal: to serve as an amulet to bring 'The queen's jeweler' to the screen. "I want you to repeat it to see if my dream comes true, because I see this work on screen a lot," explained Nieves, making an ironic appeal in the room in case there was a producer present among the attendees.

Norma Duval has assured that she has been moved by 'The Queen's Jewel Box' and that it is a novel that she has devoured. “It hooks you from the first page to the end and you can't put it down. It is so well documented and the characters are so well presented. I am sure that this novel is going to be a success”, she added.

As the attendees themselves have affirmed, 'The queen's jeweler' narrates the history of Spain for many years. For Nieves herself, writing this story during the pandemic became her escape route to get out of the four walls of her house and be able to travel through the palaces.

The presentation could not end without thanking the family of the jeweler Ramiro García-Ansorena, who were present at the event, for their work. “You are very generous and you are a lovely family. I have had nothing but open doors and it means a lot to me. When we put on a ring we do not imagine all the work behind it. Ramiro had sucked him through his family. All the jewels that Ramiro had the holy patience to make are a true work of art”, she has explained. There have also been allusions to Alessandro Lecquio, the first male great-grandson of Queen Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg. The television collaborator had planned to attend the event but at the last moment he decided not to attend as he was not in good condition after learning of the announcement of the breast cancer suffered by presenter Ana Rosa Quintana.

The event ended with the live interpretation of a dialogue during a reunion between Victoria Eugenia and the jeweler Ramiro García-Ansorena that left no one indifferent.