Mary and Letizia: engagement outfits

When the photos are going to be poured over for years to come, picking the outfit that marks the start of a royal life is a tricky one.  And Mary and Letizia's choices kind of summed them up at the very beginning of their parallel paths.  Mary of Denmark went for Danish designer, Kenth Fredin, for her engagement outfit.  Letizia of Spain chose Armani.  The future queen of Denmark did what royal brides traditionally do - showcase a local designer.  Letizia and Felipe wanted to do something more modern and set their own traditions.

 

Mary in her Danish designed engagement outfit

 

 But while a change may be as good as a rest, it stirs up feelings.  While Mary's pale brown dress and tweed style coat got an all round thumbs up (even if the shoes still look faintly ridiculous, ten years on), Letizia's white trouser suit caused controversy.  The missed opportunity to show off the work of a Spanish designer on a world stage wasn't taken well by many commentators and the boldness of the outfit choice also got people talking.

 

 

First glimpse of a queen to be and her first taste of controversy - Letizia walks out to greet the press in a white Armani trouser suit, November 6th 2003

 

But Letizia's fiancé had already said he wanted his courtship and marriage to break with tradition and the suit was just another chapter in that part of their story.  From the secretive romance to the shock announcement of an engagement to the impromptu press call in the back garden before the official presentation, this couple were doing things their way.  In contrast, Mary and Frederik stuck with the rule book.  They headed off for state approval of their marriage before appearing on the balcony of the Amalienborg palace then having lunch with the royal family before giving a joint interview and posing for the press with their families. 

 

 

Ripping up the rule book - Felipe and Letizia meet the press for the second time since announcing they were getting married

 

Clothes can say a lot about a person and the engagement outfit choices of these two queens in waiting set the pattern for their careers as royals.  Ten years on, Mary is very much part of the royal tradition in Denmark while Letizia is still making her own rules in Spain.