Another change for Spain's queen

The Queen of Spain has presented the national flag to the Civil Guard in Vitoria. The ceremony was followed closely because it is so traditional. The queen made a speech paying tribute to the Civil Guard and the solemn moment that the flag was presented is something that would always spark an interest. But there was a lot more attention paid to this ceremony and not just because it's the first time that Letizia has carried out the role since becoming consort. Spain's modern queen broke with tradition and chose not to wear the usual outfit of royal women in this role - there was no long black dress, peineta and mantilla for Letizia. She went for white.

Queen Letizia of Spain with the Spanish flag during a ceremony in Vitoria on May 13th 2015

(photo Casa Real)

It wasn't just any old white - the queen wore the now world famous white coat and dress she chose for her husband's accession as king back in June 2014. The knee length outfit, with mauve and yellow crystals at the neckline, had been slightly altered but was instantly recognisable as the dress that made Letizia a queen. 

Spain's queen during the ceremony in which she presented the country's national flag to a division of the Civil Guard in Vitoria

(photo Casa Real)

But instantly there was debate about whether it was appropriate or whether the queen should have gone for the traditional. It perhaps show the dilemma facing Letizia and Felipe who have been firm in their determination to modernise the monarchy and raises the question - can you be too modern?  Are some traditions above needing change?  Letizia chose a modern and dignified look for this outing but it was a long way from what many people expected. And that was reflected in opinion polls with one immediately afterwards showing around 42% of people loving her look and around 39% calling it just plain wrong. 

Letizia of Spain inspecting the Civil Guard in Vitoria on May 13th 2015

(photo Casa Real)

The ceremony itself followed tradition closely. The presentation of the flag is a special event and shows a recognition of the work that the division receiving it has done. During her time in Vitoria, Queen Letizia inspected the guards, presented honours and made a speech in which she said everyone should recgonise the work that the guards did and she added that King Felipe had asked her to pass on his congratulations on such a special occassion and to remind them all that they had his support.

Queen Letizia during the presentation of the flag to the Civil Guard in Vitoria

(Casa Real)

When Letizia carried out this responsibility while still Princess of Asturias she did choose the traditional look but it is something that she has rarely been seen in and expectation ahead of this event was that the new queen would probably ignore the old tradition and go for something modern. Another poll asked whether the queen would choose the peineta and mantilla with the biggest percentage, around 32%, saying not but that she should.  

Letizia in the traditional peineta and mantilla at a previous flag presentation

But while there wasn't perhaps as much surprise as there might have been a few years ago that Letizia chose not to wear peineta and mantilla, the queen's decision has certainly caused debate. Another change in Spain and another talking point centred on the royals.