Queen Letizia in Felipe Varela Velvet Gown at Diplomatic Corps Reception 2026

Queen Letizia in Felipe Varela Velvet Gown at Diplomatic Corps Reception

23/1/2026

On Friday, King Felipe and Queen Letizia hosted the traditional reception for the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia host Diplomatic Corps Reception on 23 January 2026

Held annually to mark the New Year, the reception serves as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations, promote international cooperation, and celebrate the diversity of Spain’s diplomatic community. The event typically welcomes around 1,200 guests, with Their Majesties greeting diplomats and ambassadors upon arrival in the palace’s Throne Room.

For this stately occasion, Queen Letizia brought back her midnight blue Felipe Varela velvet gown, first worn at the 2018 Pascua Militar ceremony.

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On her feet where her Magrit 'Clara' Pumps in Navy Leather.

The Queen completed the look with her long diamond and sapphire earrings.

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3 Comments

Ava Pittman

31/1/2026 02:37:14 pm

Its lovely to see a re wear of this beautiful, deep blue rich looking velvet gown. The color is stunning. I love the collar, buttons and slim belt. There is nothing I don't like about this gown. I do prefer the first wear, 2018.The back view shown on first wear is stunning.
The aquamarine tear drop earrings, her up style hair that she wore first wearing, much better. I'm not a fan of these earrings, or her hair styled in this way.

Laura

1/2/2026 05:34:35 am

This midnight blue, velvet gown is stunning and well worth a re-wear. The collar and buttons are conservative, but this is not a frivolous occasion. The previous time that Letizia wore this dress, she had matching blue velvet stilettos, which she can obviously no longer wear. So the navy blue leather ones do work. Her sapphire earrings are a perfect compliment to this beautiful outfit.

Bertie

2/2/2026 08:34:30 am

What a treat it is to see a lovely royal lady in such a super evening dress, as beautifully crafted by Varela. It has to be a rewear of course as it is a while since Letizia decided to forgo the new dresses and services of this atelier and embrace a more accessible and often businesslike look for her working life.

But it is a great pleasure to see this rich midnight blue velvet crafted into the classic shirtwaister silhouette skilfully combined with feminine embellishment. With the high neck and full sleeves, little jewellery is required, especially with the ornamental buttons down the bodice front so the sole addition of the long sapphire and diamond earrings is perfect, simply emphasizing the deep colour which so suits Letizia.

The Peter Pan collar is dignified and the belt helps definition, while the sleeves have a less formal peasant theme ascribed to them with super-feminine bell shape and long almost-frilled cuffs. Thus the Varela creation deftly combines a workmanlike near-formal silhouette with softening touches, helping it reference the whole scope of Spanish culture as is appropriate to the diplomatic event.

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Queen Letizia in Felipe Varela Velvet Gown at Diplomatic Corps Reception

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