This week, Queen Letizia of Spain celebrates her 49th birthday. To mark the occasion, we’re devoting this week’s Sparkling Spotlight to some of her most glamorous royal gala appearances. We’re kicking things off with one of her very first gala events, way back in spring 2004.
In the autumn of 2003, the Prince of Asturias (now King Felipe VI of Spain) announced his engagement to a Spanish journalist, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. Their royal wedding was scheduled for May 22, 2004. A week before, they traveled to Denmark to attend another major royal wedding: the nuptials of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson.
On the day of the wedding, Felipe and Letizia arrived at the cathedral in Copenhagen in full gala attire. Letizia wore a dramatic red gown with a short train and long sleeves.
She wore matching red shoes and carried a red clutch with beaded detailing. You’ll also catch a glimpse here of her diamond and white gold engagement ring, worn on her right hand.
The ensemble was completed with royal ruby and diamond jewels from Felipe’s family. Letizia wore a pair of diamond and ruby scroll earrings, on loan to her by her soon-to-be mother-in-law, Queen Sofia of Spain. In 2017, she wore the earrings again, this time for a state visit to Japan.
At the neckline of her gown, Letizia clipped a pair of diamond and ruby brooches. These had special significance: they belonged to Felipe’s late grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona. She received the clips as part of a royal jewelry haul on her marriage to Infante Juan of Spain in 1935, and she wore them often throughout her life. They added a gorgeous vintage touch to Letizia’s ensemble, which was also emphasized by the hairstyle she chose for the occasion.
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