As expected, the Spanish King and Queen, Felipe and Letizia, began the year 2020 with the traditional celebration of the Military Easter, also known as New Year’s Military Parade, at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The celebration of the Pascua Militar is deeply rooted in the Spanish military and dates back to 1782 during the reign of Carlos III, when, on January 6, 1782, the Menorcan town of Mahón was recovered from English rulers.
As an expression of jubilation, Carlos III ordered the viceroys, general captains, governors and military commanders to organize a big feast and service. Since then the ceremony is held annually on the day of Epiphany at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The celebration of Military Easter constitutes a solemn military act with which the military year begins. In this act, a balance of the vicissitudes of the previous year is made and the lines of action that will be developed in the following are marked.
The event began with the National Anthem followed by a 21-gun salute to the King and Queen at the Armory Square. Next, King Felipe reviewed the troops before meeting with the Army officials, Veterans and their families.
Then Their Majesties moved to the Saleta de Gasparini, where they received the greeting of the Commissions of the Central Organ of the Defense and the General Staff of the Defense, the Royal and Military Orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Civil Guard and the Royal Veterans Brotherhood.
Next, the Royal couple with the attending authorities and the members of the commissions moved to the Throne Room and took their places. The ceremony began with the imposition of decorations by King Felipe VI to different members of the Military Commissions.
Felipe addressed the gathering.
King Felipe presented military decorations to the civilians and members of the Armed Forces who have earned the honour in the past year.
The full-sleeved outfit featured a single button closure. The label of the dress is still unknown.
Letizia paired the outfit with her suede navy pumps Nina Ricci Pumps.
Queen finished her look with diamond and pearl earrings that she has worn at her pre-wedding dinner and her Karen Hallam ring.
A look back at 2018 and 2019 Military Easter Service.
Next, we will see Queen on Thursday.
In other news, on Sunday King Felipe and Princess Leonor were seen at the central square of Jacinto Benavente in Madrid, right next to the Calderón theatre. A Twitter user Javier Labrada shared a picture. As per Javier Queen Letizia was also there with Felipe and Leonor. It looks like Leonor was wearing her Mother’s Fay Cappotto Coat.