Two queens

One has reigned for 39 years, the other will take her place as consort of Spain in just a few days' time. Tonight, Sofia and Letizia appeared at a gala dinner for the President of Mexico and his wife as part of their State Visit to Spain.  And with just ten days to go until the handover of the consort's crown, the two women have been seen in some of the most spectacular jewels Spain's Royal Household owns as if to underline the importance of this moment in history.

The future and the present - the two women who will be queen of Spain in 2014

Sofia and Letizia both wore black and diamonds with the queen consort in the Fleur de Lys tiara which Alfonso XIII gave to his future wife, Victoria Eugenia, before their wedding and which belongs to the office of queen.  Letizia chose the Floral tiara which was given to Sofia for her own wedding by Spain.  Endless layers of symbolism can be read into the choices - will Sofia be entitled to wear the Fleur de Lys again when she passes on the role of consort to Letizia?  Letizia was last sen in the Floral tiara on the day before the abdication and accession in the Netherlands last year - has she chosen this diadem this time round to show that now she, too, is on the brink of queenship?  

Letizia and Sofia in black and diamonds

Either way, the choices provided a spectacular image for the last gala dinner to be hosted by Juan Carlos and Sofia before the abdication takes place on June 18th 2014.  And left a lasting image of the two women who will be queens of Spain in 2014 looking about as royal as can be.