Queen Letizia of Spain presided over the commemorative act of the World Day of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the Zaragoza Auditorium. The day celebrates the importance of Red Cross staff and volunteers, who save lives and assist vulnerable communities around the world.
Letizia was welcomed by the President of the Red Cross Society.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day are celebrated on May 8, coinciding with the birth of Henry Dunant, its founder. The philanthropist and Swiss businessman Henry Dunant were on a work trip in Algeria when he decided to travel to Solferino to meet Napoleon III. On June 24, 1859, just after his arrival, the war between the Austrian and Franco-Piedmontese army began. The fight ended with almost 40,000 wounded or dead.
Henry Dunant organized the civilian population to help the combatants, in addition to buying the necessary equipment and creating field hospitals. Under the motto ‘Tutti Fratelli’ (We are all brothers), he managed to get all the wounded treated, without considering his side or condition. The following month, Dunant returned to Switzerland to write ‘A Souvenir of Solferino’, a story published three years later. These ideas won the acceptance of the President of the Geneva Society for Public Welfare, who convened a small committee to examine the proposals of the philanthropist.
The International Committee of the Red Cross was officially founded on February 17, 1863, coinciding with the first meeting of this group of experts. The International Committee of the Red Cross has won the Nobel Peace Prize three times, in addition to the Balzan Prize and the Jaime Brunet International Prize. On June 13, 2012, the Red Cross was also awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation. Today’s event was held under the slogan ‘For Humanity’. The Gold Medals of the Spanish Red Cross is the main distinctions granted by the humanitarian organization to recognize social commitment and solidarity work.
After a brief meeting with volunteers of the Spanish Red Cross, the act began in the auditorium with the reading of a poem by the writer Amanda Granda, as well as the screening of the video “Por humanidad” and of the merits of the entities and projects distinguished with the gold medals of the Cross of the Spanish Red Cross. Then the gold medal winners were announced who received the honours from Her Majesty.
Speaking at the event, the Queen emphasized in her words that “It is a matter of attending, helping, listening, solving, giving tools to move forward, building bridges, sharing, alleviating suffering, joining the other to walk. It’s about adding and facing adversities from each individual responsibility and with the best attitude, it’s about being human, and that’s what the Red Cross and the Red Crescent know very well … “.The day ended with the performance of the violinist Ara Malikian.
Before leaving Letizia met with members of the public who were waiting for outside.
For the day, Queen Letizia chose a very beautiful elegant and I must say economic look. She was wearing ASOS design midi dress with pretty floral and bird embroidery in pink, green and purple on it.
We first time saw the dress in November 2018 when she hosted an official reception for Chinese President and First Lady along with King Felipe.
The fully lined $119 fully lined dress featured a crew neckline, button-keyhole at the back, full sleeves and full skirt.
Once again, Queen paired the dress with blush pink bespoke suede pumps from Magrit.
And carried a matching bespoke blush pink Magrit clutch.
Letizia finished her look with €167 Coolook ‘Sarin’ earrings and the mystery gold open oval-shaped ring which she first wore last month at the lunch hosted for the ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ award.
I will leave you with a look back at Letizia’s last year’s appearance at the same event.