Queen Letizia and King Felipe bring daughters to Spain's National Day in Madrid

Home Top

Girl weeps for her beloved dog Duchess moments after cop shot pet dead in front of her owners 'on a routine house check'
Alone in the dark: Dramatic moment crying baby had to be rescued by firefighters after she was forgotten and left locked inside day care center after it closed
New Jersey neo-Nazi who named his children Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun is on the run for domestic assault
How to ALWAYS win an argument with your other half: The five simple rules to triumph in a row
FBI admits there's no way to screen all the Syrian refugees the Obama administration plans to accept into the US
Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop under fire for promoting scientifically discredited claim that breast cancer can be caused by wearing bras
Teen beaten by his parents and sister in secret upstate NY church that left his brother dead describes brutal all-over-body attack with a whip that lasted TEN HOURS
Los Angeles warned to brace for a 'big one': Nasa says there is a 99.9% chance of a 5.0 earthquake in the next three years
WikiLeaks releases first batch of CIA Director's emails just days after 'stoner high school student' hacked into John Brennan's online account
EXCLUSIVE: How Rosie O'Donnell - known as 'The Beast' by staff at The View - stormed towards her now fired Emmy-winning producer 'and had to be physically restrained by her own staff who dragged her away, screaming and shouting'
Meet the Oldfathers: How 30 years after Goodfellas heist, Mafia men struggled to use modern cell phones, moaned about Starbucks coffee and got bartered down to $3,000 in a shakedown
'Are we in America yet?': Taiwan woman who gave birth on LA-bound flight 'snuck on at 36 weeks so she could have baby on American soil' and has now been deported WITHOUT the child
iPhone 7 could be 'biggest redesign ever': Analyst predicts Apple handset will dump the home button and boost battery life
The secret to a happy marriage? Saying 'thank you': Study finds gratitude can predict whether a couple remains together
Pictured: The 'bicycle thief' suspected of shooting fourth NYPD cop to die in 10 months
Man arrested in vicious stabbing attack on 2 Detroit paramedics that left pair with 'horrific' wounds
EXCLUSIVE: Bristol Palin ends bitter battle over child support with ex Levi Johnston - but another fight may be brewing with father of baby girl due to be born out of wedlock in just weeks
The kiss of DEATH: Hottest and largest double star system ever discovered where the suns are so close they are actually touching
Twelve people in intensive care and more than 80 ill 'after eating at same California restaurant'
SPECTRE FIRST REVIEW: Bond is back - and with a bang - in a movie that warrants ALL the hype with 007 returning to his murderous, glamorous best
Star Wars: The Force Awakens ticket sales break records as scalpers try to resell opening night passes for $10,000
Passenger who 'threatened to blow up plane' on flight from JFK to Palm Beach is charged with punching flight attendant
Trump dances on Joe Biden's political grave as he hints Hillary will be easier to beat in a general election - and GOP ad immediately paints Clinton as a wounded duck
Hillary's joy as Joe Biden opens her path to the White House saying he will not run against her

Princesses Leonor, 9, and Sofía, 8, joined parents at event
Family watched as some 3,400 troops and Civil Guard officers paraded
Spain's national day is held annually every October 12

Published: 06:16 EST, 12 October 2015 | Updated: 12:17 EST, 12 October 2015

View
comments

The Spanish royals were a picture perfect family as they united for Spain's National Day in Madrid on Monday.

A regal looking Queen Letizia, 43, sat beside her husband and two daughters, Leonor, Princess of Asturias, 9, and Infanta Sofía of Spain, 8, to watch the army planes taking part in the military parade to mark the special day.

The family of four watched avidly as some 3,400 troops and Civil Guard officers, 48 vehicles and 53 planes, took part in the parade.

Letizia brought the princesses Leonor and Sofia to witness the army parade on Spain's National Day

Princess Sofia and her big sister Princess Leonor of Asturias were composed and well-behaved at the parade

Queen Letizia of Spain watching the National Day Military Parade

Princess Sofia and her sister Princess Leonor were seen holding hands with their father King Felipe VI

Queen Letizia of Spain wore a navy ensemble and her daughters Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor wore patterned dresses

Infanta Leonor smiles for the cameras at the parade while her sister looks on

The family assemble to watch the parade of vehicles and even planes

Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe VI of Spain attend Spain's National Day royal reception at the Royal Palace

The Infanta Leonor, nine, follows her fashionable mother as she takes her position at the parade

Queen Letizia was poised in a smart but stylish navy suit with blue jewels with navy heels

Smarten up for winter in Queen Letizia's navy blue blazer

Felipe Varela blue blazer

Check out the current collection here

Buy now

She’s been criticized for her shorter hemlines in recent weeks, but Queen Letizia took her sartorial efforts to a rather serious level for Spain’s National Day.

The svelte Queen of Spain covered up in a blue dress styled with a matching blazer by her favorite Spanish thread-maker, Felipe Varela, and looked impossibly demure as she proudly stood next to husband King Felipe.

We particularly love the power woman edge to Queen Letizia’s look and we only have the sleek blazer to thank. Wearable with pretty much everything from tailored trousers to shift dresses and skirts, you can make a blazer like this work for both day and night, and you won’t look anything short of smart every time.

The unfortunate news is that Queen Letizia’s exact blazer is not available to buy online, so you can either check out the designer’s current collection with a click to the right or snap up a similar style blazer in the edit below from the likes of Mango, H&M, Boohoo and more.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

...NOW GET ONE LIKE IT

Despite being criticised for her short hemlines in recent weeks, the Spanish Queen looked effortlessly chic and regal in a smart yet stylish navy blue suit.

She wore her hair tied at the nape of her neck and accessorised her look with dazzling blue jewels.

Meanwhile, her dashing husband, 47, wore a full uniform as he saluted to Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, Spanish Defense Minister, Pedro Morenes, and Madrid's Regional President, Cristina Cifuentes.

Spain's national day is held annually every October 12.

King Felipe stands to salute the parade from the royal box where he is seated with his wife and two daughters

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia are saluted by the military at the event today

The Spanish royal family watch the National Day Military Parade 2015 on October 12

From left to right: Princess Sofia, Princess Leonor, King Felipe of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, Spanish politician Mariano Rajoy, Minister of Defense Pedro Morenes, President of Madrid Cristina Cifuentes and Mayor of Madrid Manuela Carmena take their places

King Felipe walks in front of his wife and children as they walk into position to witness the military parade

King Felipe donned his royal regalia for he celebration on Spain's National Day in Madrid

The two heiresses to the throne giggle together as their mother looks on as she appears to suppress a smile

The females of Spain's royal family show off their immaculate hair styles, from Letizia's low bun to the princesses adorable side plaits

Queen Letizia gives her daughters a reassuring squeeze on their arms

Leonor and Sofia, who wore print dresses with cardigans, cosy wool tights and ballet flats, giggle together

It is a national holiday that commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first arrival in the Americas, a day also celebrated in other countries.

Since 2000, it has also been Spain's so-called Day Of The Armed Forces.

To commemorate it, there is a parade performed by the military, which also typically features a display by the Spanish Air Force's aerobatics team.

King Felipe VI (C-L), Queen Letizia (2-R), their daughters Princesses Sofia (L) and Leonor (2-L), Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (3-R), Spanish Defense Minister Pedro Morenes (2-R), and Madrid's Regional President Cristina Cifuentes (R) attend the army parade

Spain's national day is held annually every October 12 and commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first arrival in the Americas, a day also celebrated in other countries

Despite being criticised for her short hemlines in recent weeks, the Spanish Queen looked effortlessly chic and regal in a navy blue suit teamed with dazzling accessories

It is chaired by the King and usually held in Madrid. An array of officials including foreign diplomats and members of the autonomous governments are invited to attend.

The royal family have made it a tradition to attend as a foursome, with the girls joining their parents at last year's event.

The young heiresses to the Spanish throne wore knee-length print dresses with cardigans, warm wool tights and ballet flats.

Sofia points at something, gesturing her older sister Leonor to look as they stand for the military parade

Letizia smiles as she looks out of the car as she departs for the royal palace where she and Felipe will host a reception for Spanish personalities

King Felipe stands as soldiers march past, but Letizia and his two girls remain seated

They both had their hair plaited into a French braid sweeping across their foreheads, while their mother went for a sophisticated low bun, with a sweeping side parting.

Felipe was resplendent in the sashes and badges of office in his naval uniform and cap.

Queen Letizia's appearance comes days after royal critics noted that her style has raised a few eyebrows during her year on the throne.

The military stand to attention with their flags raised during the parade to mark Spain's National Day

Spain's Minister of Defence Pedro Morenes, talks to the King and Queen after attending the parade in Madrid, while Leonor clings to her father's white-gloved hand

Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princesses Leonor and Sofia, attend the army parade to mark Spain's National Day in Madrid, Spain

Letizia looks out on the crowd as she leaves the parade and smiles to the gathered people

Queen Letizia of Spain displayed her thin legs on Tuesday as she attended the Luis Carandell Journalism Award at the Senado Palace in Madrid, Spain, in a short white dress

Indeed, as Royalista notes: 'Queen Letizia is quite conservative in her choice of clothing, but once in a while she raises a few eyebrows by wearing short dresses - way too short if you ask some royal followers.'

The website points to the monarch's ensemble for a visit to the Senado Palace on Tuesday.

The mother-of-two, who was on hand to dish out journalism awards at the headquarters of the Spanish upper house of Parliament in Madrid, highlighted her trim legs with sheer tights and a rather short white dress.

According to the royal site, the daring hemline sparked some debate with some royal followers hailing it 'way too short'.

The mother-of-two highlighted her trim legs with sheer tights and a short white dress

According to the royal site, the daring hemline sparked some debate with some royal followers hailing it 'way too short'

And it seems that Tuesday's ensemble isn't the first time her look has raised eyebrows.

The Spanish Queen wore a short suede tunic dress by Uterqüe in May this year, which showcased her bare legs and a flash of her chest.

So what do the fashion experts have to say? Wardrobe coach, Kay Davidson of Alicia Kay Style, said: ‘Queen Letizia made the sensible decision to cover her legs with a gorgeous style of hosiery, and knows bare legs wouldn’t have been appropriate for a queen.

'If she was going to the opening of a children’s hospital, I would not have suggested this dress for her. But given that she is at an awards ceremony in a creative industry, she is wearing an appropriate outfit.

'Although Queen Elizabeth might raise an eyebrow if the Duchess of Cambridge was to turn up in something like this, Queen Letizia is a modern queen and she’s continental - it’s perfect for her.'

The Spanish Queen wore a short suede tunic dress by Uterqüe in May this year, which showcased her bare legs and a flash of her chest

Kay Davidson of Alicia Kay Style, said: 'Although Queen Elizabeth might raise an eyebrow if the Duchess of Cambridge was to turn up in something like this, Queen Letizia is a modern queen and she's continental - it's perfect for her'

As Simon Glazin notes: 'The royals, no matter what country, can do no right when it comes to dressing up. Too short, too bright, too bold. The complaints go on.

'But there is not one statistic to say that a Queen rules any different if she chooses to wear a shorter dress.

'Times have moved on. It's very old fashioned to think a Queen should be in below-the-knee lengths, or buttoned-up-to-the-chin blouses.

'Let's not forget that Queen Letizia was a TV presenter in her former life. She represents the new set of royals: younger, current and fresh.'

Simon Glazin believe times have moved on and that it's very old fashioned to think a Queen should be in below-the-knee lengths, or buttoned-up-to-the-chin blouses

Princess Letizia is much more experimental in the fashion stakes than British royals. Here, she is pictured looking chic in a nude lace dress at the Almudaina Palace in Palma, left, and making the most of her slender figure in a pretty floral shift dress, right