Style Queens: Queen Letizia of Spain with Queen Elizabeth II during the Spanish Royals State Visit to the United Kingdom
Last week,
King Felipe and
Queen Letizia of Spain traveled to the United Kingdom for their first official state visit as the reining monarchs of Spain (the last one was in 1986 by Felipe's father and mother, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia). Letizia continued to uphold her reputation as one of the most stylish royals, showing off her sense of modern-day contemporary style but with enough of a nod to traditional Royal Couture. The three-day state visit was marked with various events including a couple of glamorous banquets that the 44-year-old Spanish Queen took full advantage of to showcase her fabulous sartorial style. The royals arrived in the United Kingdom in the evening and therefore, their first full day didn't begin until the day after...
Let's discuss Letizia's "Royal Couture" for this Official State Visit:
Departing from Spain Outfit: To begin her trip to London, Queen Letizia wore this Hugo Boss white suit featuring a pencil skirt and sleeveless top with fold detail. Quite modern and sleek, she was very "Head Anchor for BBC"-looking. I especially liked the python pumps and clutch. Score: 9.0/10
For this "Welcome to London" ensemble, Letizia wore a custom lemon yellow suit from her favorite Spanish designer,
Felipe Varela. The ensemble feature Guipure lace trim at the hem of both the 3/4 jacket/coat as well as the dress. The jacket was of a light "summertime" tweed. She wore nude Prada pumps and as is protocol for a State Visit, she accessorized the outfit with gloves and a hat. The hat was designed by
Maria Nieto. I liked the light/airy quality of this style and the color is perfect for Summer but I wasn't a fan of the lace trim; it just seems so "Mother of the Bride" mumsy. But I understand that for that first official meeting with Queen Elizabeth, she didn't want to come off as well, too "directional".
I give her a 7.0 out of 10.Later, she did an outfit change for a visit to the Palace of Westminster and tea at Clarence House with Charles and Camilla:For this, she donned a red
Burberry trench coat dress featuring gold buckled epaulets and belt as well as oversized double breasted lapels. This was a perfect choice of attire (and brand/designer) for attending the Palace of Westminster and being in the UK. Plus, the choice of red was double perfect!
Notice the extra piece added to the hem to make it below the knee appropriate. Score: 9.9/10
That evening, there was the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth as the grand hostess, and Queen Letizia wore another shade of red:
Gown Queens: (L to R) Prince Philip, Queen Letizia, Queen Elizabeth and King Felipe--Buckingham Palace State Banquet
For the very regal State Banquet with Queen Elizabeth, Queen Letizia wore a red sequined off-the-shoulder gown from
Felipe Varela. The red custom gown featured delicate lace beaded applique on tulle layered over a silk satin gown that had a drop waist and slightly gathered overskirt.
She accessorized with the
Fleur de Lys tiara--the most impressive crown that the Spanish royalty possesses originally given to
Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain as a wedding gift (quite a wedding gift!) by her husband
King Alfonso XIII in 1906. The diadem is nicknamed
"La Buena" or The Good One, by the royal family. She also wore the
Order of Carlos III Grand Cross Sash and Star of the Order. Overall, she looks like a Queen, very elegant and distinguished and the Spanish Red is striking on Letizia.
I give her entire look a 9.0/10.On the subject of her favorite designer, Felipe Varela...Interesting to note the slight disconnection between what the Spanish fashion designer creates for his collections as opposed to what is custom done for the Queen. While his runway shows look like this:
Sexy Hot: Felipe Varela Spring/Summer 2017
He creates this for Queen Letizia:
Queen Traditional: Queen Letizia in custom Felipe Varela--UK State Visit
Finally, the following day, the Lord Mayor hosted a banquet for the Spanish royals at London's Guildhall in which Princess Anne was in attendance representing her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and here Queen Letizia went the most chic and modern:
Queen Letizia wore this off-the-shoulder navy blue "techno" cady side draped gown from
Armani Collezioni. I LOVED this gown on Letizia; it was sexy (Ayyyy Dios Mio!), directional and Runway Fab. I really liked how it hugged her body and gave her a look of 1930's "Old Hollywood Glamour".
A 9.7/10...
It also really made poor Princess Anne look like a "Dowager Duchess" when photographed together (photo above).
Muy Bien! Queen Letizia in London, wearing off-the-shoulder Armani Collezioni
