Queen Letizia of Spain turned heads on Thursday at the Retina Eco Awards held at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid. Her appearance was a refreshing surprise as she stepped out in a chic, new Carolina Herrera A-line dress made from dark-wash denim. King Felipe’s wife, known for her impeccable style, once again proved her fashion versatility by opting for a fabric and design rarely seen in royal wardrobes.
The dress featured a crew neckline, subtle pinstripe seams, and a belted waist that highlighted her slim figure. The silhouette was reminiscent of vintage fashion, with a flowy skirt that added a touch of elegance to the unexpected choice of material. To complete the look, Queen Letizia paired her denim dress with bright crimson kitten heels from Magrit, a striking contrast to the dark denim.
To complement her bold shoes, Queen Letizia carried a matching red clutch from Menbur, known as the 'Malva' Red Leather Clutch. As always, she carefully chose her accessories to enhance the overall ensemble. Gold hoop earrings, specifically the 'Atenea' style from Nydia Jewellery, added just the right amount of sparkle to the outfit.
King Felipe's wife appeared youthful, pairing her outfit with striking crimson heels. Getty Images
While her fashion choices stole the spotlight, Queen Letizia’s makeup was equally flawless. She sported shimmery eyeshadow, giving her eyes a subtle pop, and finished the look with a glossy nude lip, maintaining her signature understated beauty.
Denim is an unusual choice for Queen Letizia, who typically sticks to more formal fabrics for her royal engagements. In fact, this is one of the few times she’s been spotted wearing a denim dress. The last time was in 2021 when she attended the 50th anniversary of the UCM Faculty of Information Sciences. For that event, she wore a different denim dress with utility pockets and rolled-up sleeves, accessorized once again with red accents – a skinny red belt and snakeskin heels.
Queen Letizia enhanced her look with bold red accessories. Getty Images
Earlier this week, the Spanish royal embraced another unexpected look during a public outing. She was seen wearing a cropped blue and white striped shirt featuring cut-outs on the chest. This stylish piece was part of a collaboration between designer Victoria Beckham and a popular high-street brand. Letizia paired the shirt with tailored black cigarette trousers and block-heel sandals from Boss. She wore this contemporary outfit while attending the opening of the 2024/2025 professional courses at the Doctor José Zapatero Domínguez High School in Castro-Urdiales.
Queen Letizia continues to redefine modern royal fashion, confidently mixing high-end designer pieces with more accessible fashion brands. Whether she's wearing elegant evening gowns or experimenting with denim, she remains a true style icon. Her bold choices and sophisticated flair always leave a lasting impression, making her one of the most closely followed royals in the fashion world.