On the evening of October 23, 2025, Oviedo once again drew the attention of all Spain. The royal couple, accompanied by their heirs, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, arrived at the Prince Felipe Auditorium for the traditional musical event that precedes the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony. For Queen Letizia, this event is more than just a protocol appearance; it’s a story told through the language of fashion over more than two decades. Since 2004, each of her concert outfits has sparked lively discussion, reflecting not only her personal transformation but also changes in the country’s fashion eras.
The Beginning: From Restraint to First Experiments
Looking back at her debut in 2004, still in the role of the crown prince’s fiancée, we see an image of understated dignity. At the time, she opted for an all-black look: a structured brocade coat and classic trousers. The only bright accent was a small clutch with eye-catching embellishments. In the following years, Letizia gradually began to adopt more sophisticated stylistic techniques. For instance, in 2007 she made a splash by appearing in a military-inspired jacket, skillfully embroidered with gold threads and cinched with a wide belt that accentuated her waist. The year 2009 stood out for a bold move for that time—she wasn’t afraid to combine blue and black in one outfit, which was considered a fashion taboo. Her silk blouse and flared skirt with floral embroidery, complemented by sheer blue tights, reflected growing confidence in her personal style.
The golden era of Varela and the pursuit of elegance
The next decade was marked by her long-standing collaboration with designer Felipe Varela. In 2013, still a princess, she surprised the public by choosing a tuxedo dress—an elegant yet bold choice. A year later, she appeared in a silk Deco-embroidered outfit by Varela that the public already recognized from her visit to the United States, but this time she paired it with new accessories from Magrit. In 2015, the queen opted for a black silk jumpsuit with a perforated bodice adorned with Swarovski crystals. The highlight of this period came in 2016, when Letizia appeared in a silk slip dress, complemented by a floral-motif belt. This lingerie-inspired look, combined with an eye-catching curly hairstyle and bold lipstick, remained memorable for fashion critics. She broke away from the tradition of black in 2017, choosing a blue dress from her favorite couturier, signaling she was ready for change.
A New Chapter: Boldness, Brands, and Conscious Choices
Recent years have seen Queen Letizia embrace complete stylistic freedom. In 2018, she broke with Varela for the first time in a while, opting for a minimalist black dress by Emporio Armani. Her 2019 appearance caused a sensation: the ensemble featuring black trousers and a corset adorned with ostrich feathers by The 2nd Skin Co. went viral online. After a pandemic-induced hiatus, she sparked intrigue in 2021 with a green dress trimmed with feathers, whose origin remained a mystery to the press. In 2022, she chose a black velvet dress by Teresa Helbig with a striking crystal-embellished neckline. The culmination of this new approach came in 2024, when the queen appeared in a dark blue asymmetrical dress by London brand Roland Mouret—one she had not purchased, but rented from Lend the Label. This move was seen as a powerful statement supporting conscious consumption and marked a new milestone in the fashion history of the Spanish monarchy.
