Queen Letizia wore a diamond floral tiara that rarely leaves the royal vault at the state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, at the Royal Palace of Madrid. The diplomatic event had been years in the making.
The platinum-and-diamond tiara once belonged to Doña Sofía, who received it from the Spanish government for her 1962 wedding. Its three floral pieces can be worn as brooches or as a necklace. Letizia chose the full diadem.
This was the first state visit by a French president to Spain since Nicolas Sarkozy’s in 2009, a basic stage that gave the event added historical weight.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia welcomed President Macron and his wife through the palace’s grand halls. The mood was warm but formal, and the Spanish and French leaders exchanged friendly gestures. Their interactions reflected the deep ties between the two countries, shaped by history and geography.
Joan Roca, the chef behind El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, designed the menu and brought his team into the palace kitchens. His restaurant holds three Michelin stars and has twice been named the world’s best by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. The menu suited the occasion, pairing tradition with innovation.
During the dinner, King Felipe VI, as Grand Master, awarded Emmanuel Macron the Collar of the Order of Isabel la Católica. Few have received the honor, which formally recognized the strong friendship between Spain and France. Brigitte Macron received the Grand Cross of the same order. Both wore their honors at the gala.
Information from official statements from the Spanish Royal Household, the state visit on September 29 to 30, 2026, included a military honors reception in Madrid, followed by lunch at La Zarzuela Palace. It concluded with a formal state dinner at the Royal Palace. The program also featured political meetings involving President Macron and King Felipe VI, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also taking part. These engagements served ceremonial and diplomatic objectives.
The visit had been delayed several times since 2018. Political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the delays, as did legal issues with the Treaty of Friendship. Macron is nearing the end of his term and has said he will not run again in 2027. The event so felt like a diplomatic farewell, closing a chapter in Franco-Spanish relations with ceremony and style.
The state banquet used royal pageantry and historic jewels to convey Spain’s place in Europe, while top-tier cuisine added a note of hospitality. Queen Letizia’s tiara and the honors for the Macrons carried a message beyond the ceremony.
