On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Bank of Spain unveiled two portraits of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia as part of the exhibition “La tiranía de Cronos” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of King Felipe VI’s reign and the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, according to HuffPost Spain.
Queen Letizia wore a spectacular black evening gown by Balenciaga, which she specifically requested from the Antoni de Montpalau Foundation, along with a striking red shawl. The black sculptural dress belonged to María Junyent, daughter of Sebastià Junyent, a famous Catalan painter and illustrator. The vintage piece, dated 1948, was designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga himself and features a strapless top. The dress features a mermaid silhouette skirt with a very fluid and voluminous hem, and it is made of silk tulle and silk faille, with draped details.
The red coat worn by Carmen de Robert y Ferrer-Cajigal at the wedding is part of a ceremonial ensemble that is completed with an ivory-colored dress, and it is also worn by Queen Letizia in the impressive photographs by Annie Leibovitz taken recently. The dress and cape were lent to Queen Letizia by the Fundació Antoni de Montpalau. “Queen Letizia’s choice of Balenciaga pieces is ‘a recognition of our work in the promotion, collection, and study of Spanish fashion,'” Josep Casamartina i Parassols, director of the Antoni de Montpalau Foundation, stated, according to ¡HOLA!.
Queen Letizia is wearing some of the most emblematic jewels of the crown, which are part of the lot of heirloom jewels left by Queen Victoria Eugenia, including a necklace and earrings with a lot of history, such as the cluster earrings that belonged to Queen Victoria Eugenia. The earrings are a pair of diamonds in a cluster cut mounted in claws and surrounded by smaller stones, formed by a central diamond and smaller diamonds that surround it.
The diptych was created on February 7 by American photographer Annie Leibovitz, known for capturing much more than faces, as she has “stripped souls, exposed internal conflicts, and told complete stories in a single click,” according to Gala. The portraits, commissioned by the Bank of Spain, will be displayed in the exhibition “La tiranía de Cronos”, which honors the 10 years of Felipe VI and Letizia as kings and queens of Spain.
In another portrait, King Felipe VI poses in military attire, in the same setting as his wife, showcasing the mix of audacity and respect that defines Annie Leibovitz’s portraits, according to Closer. According to Elle, Annie Leibovitz prefers to capture the essence of people without luxury elements that may overshadow their faces and personalities. “Annie Leibovitz works until she achieves an image that breathes by itself, resulting in the impeccable work that has always characterized her,” 20 Minutos reported.
Queen Letizia’s choice of jewels sent a powerful message, highlighting her connection with preceding queens and the long continuity of the ‘lote del casar’. The cost of the photographs was 137,000 euros, according to Elle.
Unlike traditional joint poses in other official photos, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia appear separately in these portraits, which form a diptych that creates a curious effect of continuity when displayed together. Some wondered if the separation reflects a distancing or crisis in the marriage, as reported by Elle. Experts assert that the separation reflects the distinct origins of Felipe VI and Letizia.
Both portraits breathe the same atmosphere of the Gasparini Hall, a place designed during the reign of Charles III to glorify power and magnificence. Queen Letizia’s makeup includes a light natural finish bronzer and peach-toned blush, paired with a nude lipstick that subtly defines her features. Queen Letizia did not wear a tiara or crown during the entire session, focusing instead on her jewelry.
“It was an explicit request from Annie Leibovitz to not include a tiara, as she preferred to photograph Letizia without it to show her ‘closer and more human,'” according to HuffPost Spain. Queen Letizia wore a ring inscribed with the phrase “Amor che tutto move” from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Annie Leibovitz has been responsible for bringing many famous faces to the covers of iconic magazines, according to Elle. Josep Casamartina assures that they did not make “any adjustments” to the dress, although it is possible that with pins, it was adjusted more to Queen Letizia’s body, as El Mundo reported. The dress and cape were transported with care to Madrid in a special convoy, reflecting their historical significance.
Queen Letizia’s styling was chosen by her but followed the guidelines set by Annie Leibovitz. Queen Letizia’s portrait radiates modernity and determination. Each detail of the portraits forms a whole, with deep meanings behind each element, and the colors and textures of the backgrounds have been carefully chosen.
The portraits have been described as more like paintings than photographs, showcasing the impeccable work that has always characterized Annie Leibovitz. An important element in Queen Letizia’s portrait is the red wild silk shawl with volume, which adds a touch of color to the image; this choice is not casual as it pays homage to one of the most iconic designers in fashion history. The shawl is a piece from the 1960s made for María del Carmen Ferrer-Cajigal de Robert, Countess of Torroella de Montgrí.
Queen Letizia wore jewelry belonging to the Spanish royal family, passed down from queen to queen since Queen Consort Victoria Eugenia, great-grandmother of King Felipe VI, according to Gala. Her hairstyle features water waves concentrated from mid-lengths to ends and an off-center parting, and she poses with slightly wavy hair parted to one side. These elements in Letizia’s portrait highlight her influence as a public figure with a contemporary approach.
