The Queen of Spain received two audiences today at the Palace of La Zarzuela in Madrid. 

She first met the Board of Directors of the Association 'Women in a Legal World' (WLW) whose members are professional women from the legal sector who wish to transform the environment in which they operate, creating conditions that allow all professionals to have equal opportunities to excel and achieve success in their careers.

Queen Letizia later received a working group who have launched a chair for the promotion of women in STEM vocations (an acronym in English for science, technology, engineering and mathematics).  The promoters of this initiative highlighted that while more than half of university students are women, less than 26% study STEM degrees. One of the main aims is to investigate the causes of low participation of women in studies related to STEM areas. Including the promotion of the cultural and social change necessary to encourage the incorporation of women in STEM degrees.

The Queen of Spain held a working meeting with the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI) at their headquarters in Madrid.

The CERMI, is the Spanish umbrella organisation that represents the interests of more than 3.8 million people with disabilities in Spain. The aim of CERMI is to guarantee equal opportunities for women and men with disabilities, to protect their human rights and ensure that they are fully included in society. ​

During the meeting Her Majesty was informed of the main difficulties that people with disabilities and their families are facing as a result of COVID-19. Points that were highlighted included, difficulties for people with disabilities in residential centres, access to health care, the effects on labor inclusion and access to education due to lack of accessibility of telematic tools.

The Queen of Spain presided over the VI edition of the National Awards of the Fashion Industry, at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Madrid. 

The National Fashion Awards, is promoted by the Ministry of Industry, which recognises the work of people, institutions, organisations, companies and industries that have achieved business excellence in this sector. ​

The event began with a round table titled 'The health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: a point of reflection for the sector'. In her speech, Minister María Reyes Maroto Illera, highlighted the exemplary work of the sector during the pandemic, stating that it had saved many lives by transforming clothing workshops into mask manufacturing workshops and protective garments for health personnel, as well as the manufacture of sanitizer gel. 

Her Majesty then presented this year's awards to; Bimba & Lola, Custo Dalmau, Pisamona, Hilaturas Ferré, Mila and Pedro García, The Extreme Collection, Mixer & Pack and the Villanueva University.

The Queen of Spain chaired the IV Conference on Informative Treatment of Disability in the Media at the Headquarters of the Madrid Press Association.

The meeting was organised by the 'A la Par' Foundation, Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE), and the Royal Board on Disability of the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare. The report 'Access to information and the media for people with intellectual disabilities' was presented. A round table was also held where the 'Reflections on information accessibility in times of pandemic' was discussed. ​

The  'A la Par' Foundation' works with people with intellectual disabilities, supporting their rights and their participation in society, designing supports where they encounter barriers. FAPE is the leading professional organisation for journalists in Spain. Its main mission is to defend the freedom of information and the rights of professionals in the free exercise of journalism. The Royal Board on Disability is an autonomous body of the General State Administration  which among other functions promotes the application of human rights and scientific knowledge to actions on disability, along with facilitating collaborations between different institutions.

The King and Queen of Spain, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses, Leonor, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía visited the rural parish of Somao, Pravia, Asturias. 

A video of their arrival:

The royal family presented the Exemplary Town of Asturias Award 2020, in its thirty-first edition. Somao, Pravia, was awarded for having maintained the wealth of its Indian and rural heritage legacy through close ties of neighbourhood collaboration. 

The award for the Exemplary Town of Asturias was established in 1990, it gifts a financial endowment of €25,000 and a royal visit. It is awarded to a town, village, population centre, scenic area or group of people in the Principality of Asturias that has stood out in a notable way in defending and conserving its natural or environmental setting, its historical, cultural or artistic heritage, boosting the economy or carrying out communal works or other displays of solidarity.

After the institutional greetings, the Spanish Royal Family toured the area and greeted representatives of Somao. Today there are approximately three hundred inhabitants. 

During the presentation of the Exemplary Town of Asturias Award 2020, Leonor, Princess of Asturias gave her second speech during their three days of events. ​​

The King and Queen of Spain accompanied by their daughters Leonor, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia, presided over the 2020 Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo.

The annual event is traditionally held at the Campoamor Theater, however due to the pared back nature of this year's ceremony because of COVID-19 restrictions, the event was held at the Hotel de la Reconquista.

Upon arrival the royal family followed the tradition of walking the blue carpet with Queen Sofia.

The annual prizes are awarded by the Princess of Asturias foundation to people or organisations from around the globe who make notable achievements in science, humanities and public affairs. It is thought to be one of the most prestigious cultural events on the international agenda. 

Following last year's debut, 14-year-old Leonor, Princess of Asturias addressed the attendees in a four minute speech during the awards ceremony which bears her title. 

Her parents were immensely proud.

This event is one of the most anticipated on the Spanish royal calendar and we are always excited to see what Her Majesty will premier at this annual gala. However, since this year has been like no other, Queen Letizia showed signs of austerity by opting for a Delpozo repeat.  

The gorgeous insignia blue cocktail dress was first worn for the 50th anniversary celebration of the AS newspaper in December of 2017. We saw it again in October of 2018 when Their Majesties visited Paris.

Up until today, Letizia had only ever entrusted Felipe Varela to outfit her for this special occasion since her first attendance in 2004. Below is a look back at the ensembles worn since attending as Queen consort.

Do you have a favourite look, and what did you think of this evening's choice to repeat?

​You can watch the full ceremony via YouTube:

The Spanish Royal family began their second day in Oviedo at the Reconquista Hotel where they held an audience with the 2020 Princess of Asturias Award laureates.

The event is usually held at Covadonga Hall, but due to COVID-19 restrictions the organisers opted for an open air setting of the hotel's Patio de los Gatos.

The Spanish royal family travelled to Oviedo today to preside over the Princess of Asturias Awards 2020. 

Over the next few days they will deliver a series of prizes to individuals, entities or companies from around the world who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs.

On arrival in Oviedo, the royals visited 'FPAbrica', the Old Weapon Factory of La Vega. This set of industrial buildings is hosting the cultural activities programmed for this year's ​Princess of Asturias Awards.

Their Majesties accompanied by Royal Highnesses, Leonor, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía, presided over the Fiesta Nacional (National Day) celebration at Palacio Real, Madrid.  ​

As a result of COVID-19, the celebration was held in a reduced format. The event consisted of the raising of the flag, a tribute to those who have given their lives for Spain, awarding of decorations and a small parade.

National Day is held annually on October 12th, it commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first arrival in the Americas in 1492. It is widely celebrated throughout the Americas, it is known as Columbus Day in the United States and as Día de la Raza in various Hispanic American countries.

The Queen of Spain chaired a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fundación Residencia de Estudiantes (Students Residence) in Madrid. ​

The meeting focused on the activities held in 2019, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Spanish Exile. In addition, the activity of the Residence in 2021 will continue to be framed within the project 'Culture and education for a sustainable future' in collaboration with the ILE. 

The Students Residence is a centre of Spanish cultural life. The Residence was founded in 1910, as a cultural institution that helped foster and create the intellectual environment of Spain's brightest young thinkers, writers, and artists. Some of the most prominent figures of 20th-century Spanish culture emerged from among the residents, including  Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel and Severo Ochoa. Today it organises numerous public events, in which many protagonists of the arts and sciences of the last decades take part.