Today, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia made their first official visit abroad as King and Queen of Spain. They traveled to the Vatican City to meet with His Holiness, Pope Francis. 

This is the royal couple's fourth meeting with a Pope in the Holy See. Their first meeting was shortly after their wedding in 2004 where they meet John Paul II.  

For today's meeting with the Pontif, Queen Letizia adhered to Vatican convention and wore an all-white ensemble, a privilege only reserved for Catholic queens.  All other women are required to wear black, preferably with a black veil, when meeting the Pope. It is also custom for Catholic queens to wear a veil, but this is not required for non-religious meetings.

Her Majesty wore a two-piece Felipe Varela ensemble consisting of a knee-length crepe sheath dress and a matching blazer jacket.  The jacket features a tonal embroidery along the hem and sleeves. 

She carried her custom Felipe Varela suede clutch, the same one she carried on Proclamation Day.

On her feet were the nude Magrit peep-toe pumps.

Her ​​Ansorena Bezel-Set Diamond and Pearl Earrings were a good choice for this outfit and the occasion.

This evening, their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain presented the FPdGi Awards at the IMPULSA Forum in Girona. The IMPULSA Forum was launched in 2010 by the Prince of Girona Foundation and convenes annually to promote and encourage the youth of Spain in areas such as scientific research, artistic creativity, social solidarity and entrepreneurship. Felipe and Letizia have presented awards at every forum since its conception.

For tonight's ceremony, Queen Letizia sported one of her favourite little black dresses by Felipe Varela. Letizia has repeated this sheath dress on numerous occasions and first wore it in June 2008.

The cocktail dress features a sleeveless silhouette with tonal black sequins and a sash waist. 

Doña Letizia completed her look with familiar accessories. She carried a black satin clutch and wore her nude patent mary-jane pumps by Miu Miu. The Italian-made shoes have a 5" heel and feature an almond toe with a concealed 1" platform.

I initially thought the queen had trimmed off her long locks but quickly realised that her hair was pinned up in a bob.  She has worn this style in the past, most recently a few months ago at the National Young Entrepreneur Awards.  

The updo was a good choice and showed off her dazzling diamond and citrine drop earrings. I don't recall seeing these before so they may be new. I will have to try track these down because they are exquisite.

UPDATE: The mystery regarding the earrings is slowly unravelling. I managed to find another occasion on which Letizia wore them. The photo below was taken in April 2013 at the Cervantes Award ceremony in Alcala de Henares, Spain. My hunch is that they may be by Spanish jeweller Yanes since the Queen does own a few of their pieces.  I'm yet to hear from the company regarding a confirmation.

SHOP LETIZIA'S STYLE FOR LESS ...

Their Majesties, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia received Spanish Armed Forces and Civil Gaurd members at The Royal Palace in Madrid today.  

The Monarch is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, with the title Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces. ​

The Spanish Armed Forces are active members of NATO, the Eurocorps, the European Union Battlegroups as well as providing peace keeping troops to the United Nations.  The Civil Guard (Spanish: Guardia Civil) is the Spanish gendarmerie. It has foreign peace-keeping missions and maintains military status and is the equivalent of a federal military-status police force.

Queen Letizia recycled an outfit she has worn repeatedly since she first wore it on Armed Forces Day in June 2012. The earth toned ensemble was a fitting choice for the occasion and coordinated perfectly with Don Felipe's military uniform.

The boucle linen skirt suit is from Filipe Varela. Both the skirt and jacket feature a tonal lace
overlay. 

Under the suit she wore her olive green Mango silk blouse which she debuted in May 2011.

Doña Letizia cordinated the suit with her Magrit taupe suede pumps and Malababa 'Felisa' clutch adorned with pastel Czech crystals.

She again wore her Chanel 'Comete' diamond star stud earrings.

SHOP QUEEN LETIZIA'S STYLE FOR LESS ...

The King and Queen of Spain meet with representatives from institutions of social solidarity at the Royal Palace of El Pardo near Madrid. At today's reception, their Majesties thanked and praised the efforts of the organisations who work tirelessly to help the less fortunate. They also discussed the demands and challenges faced by these institutions due to the current economic crisis in Europe. 

The Queen paired straight-leg navy trouser pants with her blue 'Koralie' tweed jacket from Hugo Boss. She first wore this zip-front jacket to last year's Impulsa Forum.

A sleek contrast trim defines this sporty little jacket fabricated in a richly textured two-tone tweed. It has a jewel neckline, two-way front zip and front mock pockets. It is made from a cotton/acrylic/polyester/nylon blend.

The above style has sold out, however Hugo Boss currently has a very similar model; the Koralie Jersey Tweed Jacket.

Doña Letizia wore her Magrit navy suede peep-toe heels and kept her jewellery simple, only wearing her Chanel 'Comete' diamond star stud earrings.

SHOP QUEEN LETIZIA'S STYLE FOR LESS ...

For her first solo engagement as Queen consort, Her Majesty attended the opening of the exhibition "El Greco and modern painting" at Prado Museum in Madrid today.  

The exhibition commemorates the fourth centenary of the death of Domenico Theotocopuli, El Greco, and showcases the deep influence that the rediscovery of El Greco had on the development of painting during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Queen Letizia wore a Hugo Boss floral sheath dress. The style is called 'Dinoma' in the 'Rose Fantasy' print. This colourway is from the 2014 spring/summer collection and has almost sold out online. The dress retails for US$650.

This sleeveless dress by BOSS has an all-over rose pattern in a viscose blend with elastane.  It has a modified bateau neckline and is finished with a matching belt. Queen Letizia swapped the self belt for a one of her own, opting for a blush hue to match her patent handbag and peep-toe slingback shoes.

 All three pieces are by Magrit. The blush slingbacks have been in her closet since 2012.  They are from the SS 2011 collection, style #19129 (information courtesy of Magrit).

She wore her Yanes flower stud earrings which she has had for several years.

The earrings appear to be part of a set. Letizia was photographed wearing the set for her first official royal portrait in 2005. 

The close-up photo on the right shows Letizia wearing a ring with the same flower design. On the left we can clearly see the earrings. It's interesting to note that she is wearing the ring along with her engagement band. This signifies that the flower ring must be of special value, and perhaps a gift from Felipe.

For their first engagement together as King and Queen, Felipe and Letizia met with representatives from the Association of Victims of Terrorism in Madrid today.  They observed a minute silence to pay their respects to victims of terror.

Queen Letizia appropriately wore her dark navy Felipe Varela suit to reflect the sombre nature of the event. This two-piece satin pant suit has been in her closet since 2010 when she first wore it to the European Inventor Awards. 

Today, she styled it with her Magrit navy peep-toe heels and wore it with a champagne satin shawl collar blouse. 

Queen Letizia wore her hair down with the front tucked behind her ears showing off her Chanel 'Comete' diamond star stud earrings. The 18k white gold studs have a star-within-a-star
design with 6 diamonds each.

Doña Letizia completed her outfit with a new blue and taupe toned snakeskin clutch. The brand/designer is yet to be identified.

UPDATE - 07/07/2014
The clutch bag has now been identified. It is by Spanish label Madmacarena. More details here. 

SHOP QUEEN LETIZIA'S STYLE FOR LESS ...

This morning, a new chapter in Spanish history was officially marked with a low-key ceremony at the Congress of Deputies, where Felipe VI was proclaimed as the King of Spain to the Spanish Parliament. 

Queen Letizia looked on wearing an elegant white ensemble by her favourite Spanish designer, Felipe Varela.  

She wore a simple crepe dress topped with a matching coat featuring a neckline embellished with red and yellow crystals, signifying the Spanish national colours. ​

The piece is bespoke but shares elements of the 'Abrigo' tweed coat from the current Summer 2014 collection.  The pockets, horizontal bodice seams and darts around the waist are the same, along with the curved hem at the opening.  The obvious difference is the collar which has been removed and replaced with an embellished neckline.

She accessorised with ecru toned shoes from Magrit, a style similar to the 'Leonor' which feature a cut-out vamp. They are pointed pumps with a 10 cm stiletto heel and retail for €220. 

I did however notice a few subtle differences between the 'Leonor' and the pair the Queen wore. Letizia's have a concealed platform and the sole lining is lighter.  I spoke with a company representative and they confirmed that they are a bespoke pair made from kid leather.

The coordinating suede clutch bag is by Felipe Varela based on their Cartera Londres Clutch (shown below). 

Queen Letizia wore her hair down and opted for her trademark front braid twist which showed off her Chanel 'Comete' diamond star stud earrings. The 18k white gold studs have a star-within-a-star design with 6 diamonds each.

On her left chest was pinned the Commander dame's bow of the Order of Charles III. 

Following the proclamation ceremony, the newly ascended King and Queen were driven through the wide streets of Madrid in an open-top car. Felipe stood throughout the city tour and waved to well-wishers who shouted "Long live the king" and proudly brandished Spanish flags as he drove by. 

The royal motorcade made its way to the Royal Palace where the monarchs stepped out onto the front balcony to greet the citizens of Spain. 

They were joined by their two daughters, Princess Leonor, eight, and seven-year-old Infanta Sofía. The outgoing king and his wife, Queen Sofia were also present.

Later, their was a reception for 2,000 guests from all walks of Spaniard society including foreign ambassadors.
​

At the stroke of midnight, King Felipe VI officially became Spain's new monarch following a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid which approved and enacted a law bringing into effect King Juan Carlos' abdication.

On Wednesday night, a tearful King Juan Carlos signed his abdication of the Spanish throne after a four-decade reign, leaving the crown to his 46-year-old son, Felipe VI.

An emotional King Juan Carlos sealed his abdication and then embraced his son who will be sworn in on Thursday morning in a ceremony at the Congress.

There was a round of applause for the abdicating king as he stood flanked by the newly crowned King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and his wife Queen Sofia.

For tonight's abdication ceremony, Queen Letizia repeated her monochromatic dress from Felipe Valera which she wore in April this year to a lunch for the Cervantes Award. The skirt features a delicate black beaded embroidery on both sides.

She carried her Lambertson Truex 182 Frame Clutch in Black Satin.

On her feet were patent leather pumps in sand by Spanish shoemaker Magrit.

Letizia kept her jewelry simple, wearing only her 'wedding' earrings which were a gift from her in-laws.

Spain is gearing up for the proclamation of a new king, Felipe VI this coming Thursday.  Due to the abrupt abdication of King Juan Carlos, the ceremony will be low-key and there will be no gala coronation or visiting foreign dignitaries.

Here are some of the scheduled highlights:

On Wednesday 18th June, King Juan Carlos will sign the act of parliament formalizing his abdication in front of 150 invited dignitaries. Felipe, then technically becomes king at midnight on Wednesday. The publication of the abdication in Thursday's edition of the official state journal formally marks the start of his reign.

On Thursday morning at 9.30 am at their Zarzuela Palace residence, Juan Carlos hands Felipe the red sash of captain general, the highest rank in the army.

At about 10:30 am, Felipe, his wife the new Queen Letizia and their daughters Leonor and Sofia then head to the centre of Madrid to the lower house of parliament, the Congress.  He receives military honours outside the building.

The new royal family will then pass through the Lions Gate into the Congress, where Felipe will be sworn in. The ceremony will be attended by hundreds of Spanish deputies and senators, however Felipe's father and mother will not attend so as not to draw attention away from their son.

Felipe will take an oath to  "faithfully to fulfill his duties, to safeguard the constitution and the laws, to respect the rights of citizens and the autonomous regions" of Spain. The national anthem will then be played, followed by a  military parade in front of Congress.

At about 11:30 am, the new king and queen will be driven through central Madrid to the Royal Palace where they will go to the central front balcony which overlooks the park on the Plaza Oriente square to greet citizens below.

Later in the afternoon a reception will be held inside the Royal Palace for 2,000 guests, including foreign ambassadors to Spain.

In early July the new King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are due to begin a tour of Spain and abroad.