Madrid once again became the center of national celebrations. On October 12, Día de la Hispanidad, the capital hosted the traditional military parade and the honoring of the national flag. The royal couple, Felipe VI and Letizia, led the festivities. This year, for the first time, Infanta Sofía joined them and Princess Leonor at the reception in the Royal Palace, adding a distinctly family atmosphere to the occasion. As usual, it was the queen’s outfit that captured most of the public and fashion critics’ attention—this time featuring a rich shade of green.
For the main national holiday of 2025, Her Majesty chose a deep emerald dress. This shade had made appearances in her wardrobe for Día de la Hispanidad in 2014 and 2022, but it had never been so vivid and bold. The new dress, crafted from textured fabric with a tweed effect and black accents, featured a restrained cut: a round neckline, three-quarter sleeves, a slightly defined waist, and a flared midi skirt. The look was perfectly complemented by emerald earrings from the Spanish brand Tous—a memorable gift given to the queen by the jewelry house for her fiftieth birthday in 2022.
For her accents, the Queen opted for black accessories that provided a striking contrast to the main color of her outfit. A slim belt elegantly highlighted her silhouette, while the shoes were the familiar slingback heels from Massimo Dutti with a low heel. The ensemble was completed with a black leather Victoria Insignia handbag by Carolina Herrera and her signature Coreterno ring. Each element was carefully selected, creating a cohesive and elegant look.
Queen Letizia’s journey in choosing outfits for this significant day is a story of fashion evolution. Since her first appearance at the celebration in 2004, still as Princess of Asturias, her style has undergone considerable changes. Gradually, she moved away from creations by her long-time favorite, designer Felipe Varela, opening her wardrobe to new names and brands. Classic silhouettes gave way to more modern and current styles that reflect the latest trends in guest fashion.
One need only recall the rainy day in 2024, when instead of a traditional coat she appeared in a striking long trench coat from the Hugo Boss collaboration with a well-known influencer. Beneath it, she wore a scarlet dress by Poète, which she paired with matching shoes and a handbag borrowed from her eldest daughter. Or the much-discussed appearance in 2016, when her white dress with black embroidery by Varela looked remarkably similar to an Oscar de la Renta design. The year 2021 marked an even greater shift: Letizia broke her long-standing tradition by choosing a dress by María Barragán instead of Varela. Each of her appearances is not just a matter of clothing, but a carefully considered statement eagerly anticipated by the public every year.
