Letizia's solo debut as queen

In the past she has been criticised for her lack of solo public appearances and for looking nervous when on engagements but Letizia of Spain has started her reign as she means to go on.  Four days after her husband's proclamation as Felipe VI, she has been on a solo visit to the Prado to open a huge art exhibition about the influence of El Greco on modern painting.  And the new Queen of Spain looked confident, calm and already in control of her new role as she stepped out on her own.

The Queen of Spain in Madrid on June 23rd 2014

Letizia wore a pale floral print dress with blush pink bag and belt and nude heels.  But for once, her clothes weren't what everyone was itching to see.  This was her debut as a working queen consort.  From the moment she arrived, Queen Letizia looked totally at ease - she greeted officials, toured the exhibition and posed for photos to help officially launch the major exhibition which will hope to attract visitors for months to come.

Letizia is calm and confident as she makes her first solo appearance as Queen of Spain

The queen has a packed agenda for the next few months - there are several events in Spain before she heads to Rome in six days time to meet Pope Francis.  The audience at the Vatican will be the first overseas trip by the new king and queen but will be followed in close succession by engagements in France and Belgium.  There's also a major tour of Spain planned to give Felipe VI and Letizia a chance to say hello to their fellow citizens as monarchs.  And by the looks of the queen's first solo public appearance, it's going to be a calm and confident summer.