Jessica Chastain paid the perfect tribute to the queen of Hollywood glamour, Elizabeth Taylor, and her legendary love affair with Richard Burton on Monday evening. The actress hit the red carpet in Cannes for a special 50th anniversary screening of Cleopatra wearing a glittering diamond and sapphire necklace once given to Elizabeth by her Welsh husband.
The iconic silver screen couple famously fell in love in 1961 on the set of the film. It was the start of one of the most intense and passionate love stories that saw them marry, and divorce, twice.
Aware that she wearing a “priceless” piece of movie history, Jessica clearly wanted to put the beautiful Bvlgari piece centre-stage. She wore a simple cream floor-length Versace gown that set the necklace off beautifully, and a matching ring on her left hand.
Elizabeth was given the stunning jewels by Richard in the early 1960s. They were purchased by Bvlgari at a Christies sale last year following her death in 2011.
"It was a symbol of their epic love," Jessica, 36, told the Mail. "I call them the Cleopatra jewels because Richard Burton bought them for Elizabeth Taylor when they fell in love when they were shooting Cleopatra. I”m so excited to be wearing them.
"They looked so fabulous on her, and she was a movie star from her head to her toes. That kind of glamorous star doesn”t exist anymore, but the diamonds do."
Despite her assertions, Jessica looked every bit a silver screen beauty with her red hair swept to the side and in tumbling curls, highlighting her porcelain skin with minimal makeup and dramatic eyes.
The Zero Dark Thirty actress was co-hosting the screening with Elizabeth”s son Christopher Wilding, and Richard”s daughter, Kate Burton. The celebratory event was attended by a host of Hollywood stars, including Milla Jovovich, Aishwarya Rai and Rosario Dawson.
Model Mila, 37, looked incredible in a daring midnight blue gown, that was encrusted with crystals and celebrated her statuesque figure. Aishwarya, meanwhile, looked flawless in an aqua silk gown, completing her glamorous look with hot pink lips and her hair swept up into a high bun.