Queen Letizia debuts royal blue wrap gown for Pascua Militar

6/1/2020

The King & Queen of Spain undertook their first public engagement of the New Year today.

Their Majesties presided over the traditional celebration of the Pascua Militar, which is deeply rooted in the Spanish military and dates back to 1782 during the reign of Carlos III. The ceremony is held annually on the day of Epiphany at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

King and Queen of Spain preside over Pascua Militar 2020

Following the parade, King Felipe and Queen Letizia made their way to the Throne Room within the Palace to meet officials from the Government, the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Guard.

King and Queen of Spain greet guests in Throne Room for Pascua Militar 2020

A view of the Throne Room.

As tradition dedicates, Queen Letizia wore a long dress. It is customary for royal women to wear a full length gown to the Pascua Militar ceremony.

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Below is a look back at Letizia's previous ensembles since becoming Queen consort.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Today she opted for a royal blue wrap-style gown featuring a shawl collar and fastened with a single button on the side. The designer of the piece is currently unknown.

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Below is a closer look at the top half of the long-sleeved dress.

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Queen Letizia complemented the tailored gown with a pair of pearl, diamond and sapphire stud earrings.

Queen Letizia wears pearl, diamond and sapphire stud earrings

Letizia debuted the cluster earrings at her pre-wedding gala dinner on 21 May 2004, but they have not been seen since. Núria Tiburcio from Vanitatis says the earrings belonged to Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Countess of Barcelona (King Felipe's paternal grandmother).

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On her feet Letizia wore the navy Nina Ricci pointed toe suede pumps.

Queen Letizia wears navy Nina Ricci pointed toe suede pumps

Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images

Below is a closer look at Her Majesty's up-do.

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Video footage of the event:

Later that evening, the Spanish royal family were pictured leaving Zarzuela Palace en route to the home of Letizia's father for private celebrations marking the Feast of the Epiphany.

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Queen Letizia wore a Zara embroidered tulle dress (US$89.90) under a black coat/jacket. The long sheer dress has a high collar and long sleeves with a black lining and contrasting embroidery detail.

20 Comments

Bertie

7/1/2020 02:19:05 pm

The dress is superb, classic Letizia in its clean simplicity, depending on cut and drape for chief effect. The colour is fabulous on her, and I love the solo role taken by the single ornamented brooch-style button and its off-centre placement, any added jewellery would be misplaced.

The other eye-catching break in the monochrome is obviously brought in via the daring split which is most effective in showing a glimpse of shapely leg when moving. Happily full modesty is preserved when standing on parade.

I like updo and earrings though both are spoiled by too many loose hair strands. These only look right used in discretion, but not all round the head. It's a shame to mask those pretty earrings and the intricate bun. Overall though I'd say the outfit was a win.

BlondieBlueEye

10/1/2020 12:40:37 pm

I agree with your observations and Letizia should wear royal blue a lot more with those beautiful pearl, sapphire and diamond earrings. A sensational outfit 💙.

Ava Pittman

7/1/2020 04:31:13 pm

This dress is sensational, beautiful colour. Fits perfectly, and moves well. Regal and elegant. The shawl collar is a favourite of mine, simplistic, subtle but chic. The fastening of a single button/ brooch style is the perfect finishing touch, nothing else was needed. Excellent choice, the navy Nina Ricci pumps. Cluster pearl, sapphire and diamond earrings are gorgeous. The Queen has the perfect posture, very noticeable in this gown. Hair is a bit misplaced, but this gown was worth the wait, a magnificent start to the year.

Wendy

7/1/2020 09:01:11 pm

Thanks God she was in the sun! It was freezing in the morning. The Minister of Defense was wearing a faux fur short coat, she can't. The protocol is a long dress (coat dress) in any case a jacket as the past year, not too intrincate because it is at 10 am, a bit tricky.

PS, Hello Elizabeth! I hope you have a happy 2020!!
Same for the rest!!

Sandy

7/1/2020 11:40:49 pm

This is a beautiful, elegant and simple gown. The royal blue colour is gorgeous. It's one of my favorites. I don't think I have seen Letizia wear this colour very often and I think she should because it looks great on her. I love the way the shawl collar flows into the waistline and is fastened with that lovely button that highlights the pearl earrings. The dress would also look great shortened to just below the knee and worn as daywear in the future I think we are off to a great start for the 2020 fashion year!

Geneviève

8/1/2020 12:19:30 am

This dress looks more like a coat than a dress to me so I find the bare leg in the walking photo jarring. It's like she stepped out of the bath and put on a coat. It's a beautiful coat but I think it's too heavy to wear without something on the legs. I can see from the comments already posted that I am in the minority but this was my gut reaction.

Simone

8/1/2020 01:02:07 am

Opaque black tights you mean?
She probably wore transparent tights. Black transparent tights are not well perceived in Spain, they are related to old women and nuns.
The Minister of Defense was wearing them but opaque. It would be not very elegant in my opinion.

Asya

8/1/2020 05:22:58 am

I also feel that this dress looks more like a coat or a bathrobe- albeit a beautiful one!

edita

8/1/2020 07:52:42 am

Don't worry Geneviéve, you are not alone, I had the same thought. The gown does look more like a coat than a dress so it does look a bit awkward with nothing underneath...

Wendy

8/1/2020 08:57:53 pm

The thing is, when watched on tv, that she walked slowly and there was no problem, however Felipe started to walk faster, with his long legs, probably to avoid speaking with the new president of the govermnent, (another one very tall) they are not very good friends (to say it in a pomite way) and Letizia needed to stride, and women can't do that in heels and gowns in a elegant way.
You could see the poor thing struggling to keep up with them.

Wendy

8/1/2020 05:53:23 am

Elizabeth, I have been told in Argentina and Chile they are watching smoke it's incredible!!
How are you doing?

What a masacre!!

Simone

8/1/2020 09:07:18 pm

Yes!! The sky is more red here in Argentina, Chile and Urugüay. The smoke is reaching South America.

I hope you and your family are well, Elizabeth.

Laura

8/1/2020 05:55:15 am

Letizia's gown is very elegant in its style, fit, colour and simplicity. I like the way it is closed at the side. I do, however, think it should have been fastened so as not to show so much leg when walking. As this is a serious, military event, decorum is very important.

The earrings are so beautiful and I wish we had seen them more frequently. Unfortunately Letizia's hair looks very messy with all the stray, fly away bits.

Jennifer F

9/1/2020 05:11:36 am

I adore column gowns, the beauty is in the simplicity. This particular style is luxuriously simple, with the wide, rolled collar and wrapped waist which femininely drops into a front slit. The bust/waist dart line echos the symmetry of the wrap design while neatly tailoring the bodice. Cuffs have slit details on the insides of the wrists and the silver clasp reminds me of an opening 'astrantia' flower, mirroring the jewelled studs above. I suspect the fabric may be stretch crepe, the lining adds weight to the garment and the hang is exceptional. Length is perfect, hovering just above the ground. The overall effect is streamlined with a regal aura. This could have been a truly beautiful look with a sleeker, more voluminous hairstyle, which would have been more in keeping with the clean lines of the dress. I wonder if this piece is made by the same unknown dressmaker as 19/06/19 soft blue dress, 22/01/19 red wine wrap skirt and 26/11/19 grey wrap dress. All four pieces have similar hallmarks (wrap styles, timeless fabrics, elaborate trimmings, and excellent fit/hang).

Special mention to looks 2015/17. 2017 is one of my most favourite looks of the Queen's, the teal is stunning. The presentation of all monochrome was majestic, Varela's decoration covering the arms, belt and placement down the side seams was perfectly judged and appears modern against the traditional design. Embroidery and beadwork in a lighter tone lift the block colour and don't overpower the gown, allowing the eye to appreciate the precise tailoring which elegantly fans out at the back of the skirt. Letizia's exquisitely braided hair revealed her collar bone and the two-tone drop earrings provided further polish to the refined ensemble.

Bertie

10/1/2020 05:31:25 am

Thanks for such an eloquent and informative comment. I myself greatly admire they way that waisting has been achieved on the bodice, some subtle cutting and tailoring in a soft fabric at work there as you point out. My quibble with the wide shawl collar and solo clasp above the deep slit is that when Letizia is walking there is something of the effect of wearing a dressing gown. But overall I would endorse your 'streamlined with a regal aura' summary!

Simone

13/1/2020 07:55:12 pm

In fact in Spain we call "bata" (dressing gown) what you call "wrap dresses" as it was new and it is a very classic style.

Stephanie

9/1/2020 08:31:44 am

This is a very elegant coat and it looks lovely on Queen Letizia. Cobalt blue really suits her. However, I find myself in agreement with other posts that the bare leg when walking looks out of place for such an occasion and in such cold weather it seems an inappropriate garment to be wearing outside.

The back of her hair looks quite special - it is very detailed and one can imagine it would be time consuming to prepare. The overall look though, is let down by the stray pieces of hair.

Ruru

21/1/2020 10:06:30 am

The earrings belonged to the Countess of Barcelona, María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, not Mercedes of Orléans (Queen Consort).

Elizabeth (Admin)

24/1/2020 11:27:27 am

Thanks for the correction Ruru!

Maya

15/2/2020 07:12:07 am

The blue dress must be one my favorite Letizia looks. Fantastic. I also really like Zara dress, it's awesome.

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Queen Letizia debuts royal blue wrap gown for Pascua Militar

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