Queen of the Palace

There might be two queens in Spain right now but one took the limelight on Wednesday night. For the first time in the ten and a half years since she married the man who is now King Felipe VI, Letizia ruled at the Zarzuela on gala night. The first State Dinner of the reign of her husband was hosted by both of them for the President of Chile. But there was one outright start.  Queen Letizia.

Letizia of Spain greets Michelle Bachelet of Chile while her husband, King Felipe, looks on

For the first time, the newest consort in Europe was the leading lady at this major royal event and she was picture perfect on the night. In on trend black lace (what else would you expect from Letizia but on trend) and wearing one of the most magnificent tiaras in the royal collection (the Floral but set off with an unusual updo -again, very Letizia) she glittered on what was a glamourous gala night at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

The King and Queen of Spain with the President of Chile

And just as we've come to expect from Felipe and Letizia, the format of this most official of occasions was changed as well. There was the usual reception for the guests and then the king and queen posed happily for photos with Michelle Bachelet who is on a two day State Visit to Spain - the first time a head of state has been given this honour since the ascension of Felipe VI.  But before the traditional meal, everyone was treated to a mini concert as they stood in one of the grand rooms of the Palace to hear the soprano, Auxiliadora Toledano Redondo, and pianist, Alexis Munoz Ortega, give a short recital.

The mini concert that formed part of the State Dinner at the Zarzuela on October 29th 2014

During the meal there was a speech from King Felipe who talked about the close ties between Spain and Chile and the investment both countries make in each other. Then it was time for the toasts before day one of the State Visit came to an end.  The first full day may have been about the king hosting his first major overseas visitor and the Chilean President holding talks with Spanish dignitaries.  But the evening was all about Letizia.