King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia of Spain attended the 31st Princess of Asturias awards ceremony at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo, Asturias. The annual awards recognizes the individual and organizations in 8 different fields of life. Joining the Spanish royal family at the occasion was Queen Sofia – King Felipe’s mother.
The Princess of Asturias awards are presented by its name sake foundation and 2023 was the 31st edition of the awards that have become the acclaimed and prestigious international recognition in the last 3 decades.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation was established in September 1980 at the Reconquista Hotel of Oviedo in the presence of the then Prince of Asturias, now King Felipe VI, and his parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. The Foundation works as a link between the Principality of Asturias and the title traditionally held by the heirs of the Crown of Spain.
King Felipe VI was the first Honorary President of the foundation and remained until May 2014. Upon his accession to the throne, his heir presumptive, Princess Leonor became the Honorary President of the Foundation.
The awards are presented in the 8 different categories – Arts, Letters, Social Sciences, Communication and Humanities, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, Concord and Sports. The awards promote the scientific, cultural and humanistic values that are the universal heritage of humanity.
The award ceremony is held every year at the Campoamor Theater in the month of October and is a staple Royal event in Spain. Oviedo is not only the home of The Princess of Asturias foundation – the region’s first strongest link to the Spanish Monarchy as the heir/heiress holds the title of Prince/Princess of Asturias, it is also the home town of Queen Letizia of Spain – current Monarch’s wife and future Monarch’s mother.
Despite the rain, the royal Family received a warm welcome outside the theatre where they stood for the official photograph. Once again the family chose a colour-coordinated look of black and blue.
After the national anthem, King Felipe declared the ceremony open and Princess Leonor presented the awards to the winners. This year’s winners are Meryl Streep – Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts; Nuccio Ordine – Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities; Hélène Carrère d’Encausse – Princess of Asturias Prize for Social Sciences; Eliud Kipchoge – Princess of Asturias Sports Award; Haruki Murakami – Princess of Asturias Award for Literature; Medicines for Neglected Diseases Initiative – Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation; Jeffrey Gordon, E. Peter Greenberg and Bonnie L. Bassler – Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research; and Mary’s Meals – Princess of Asturias Award for Concord.
During her speech, Princess Leonor reflected on the recent changes in her life – the military training, Flag Oath and her upcoming 18th birthday as well as on the legacy of the award winners. She reflected on her responsibilities and duties. The complete text of Princess Leonor’s speech is given below:
I would like to be able to easily express what I feel on a day like today, here in Oviedo, after having taken the oath of service to Spain before our flag just two weeks ago. And after having started my military training, which is allowing me to share continuous learning with people who have chosen a life of service with great demands and personal sacrifices. Furthermore, on the 31st I will turn 18 and I will have the honor of swearing in the Constitution, with what that means for me personally and institutionally. What I can tell you is that I very well understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail.
As Honorary President of this Foundation, one of them is to understand and value what our awardees contribute to a society where many generations live together with the idea of ensuring that those who need it most have the opportunity to improve their lives, their education, their health; and that science, culture and environmental protection are a priority. We can only achieve this with common objectives and individual and collective effort.
By knowing the immense legacy of Nuccio Ordine, how he managed to humanize humanity and his defense of teachers, I understand why education is the foundation of any society that aims to be better. And with Meryl Streep’s films, I see how a great artist can strip herself away to make room for her characters and dilute herself in her emotions. And to do so, furthermore, throughout an impeccable career and with freedom, courage and sensitivity to the challenges of our time.
Hélène Carrère’s contribution to the analysis of contemporary history and the efforts of the Mary’s Meal organization to feed children in their schools are also examples of those who understand that it is necessary to get involved to help improve things.
I admire that Murakami has built his own universe with words for decades, in which East and West are portrayed in urban and often challenging environments. And I also observe with enthusiasm the eagerness of the Kenyan athlete Kipchoge to overcome his limits and always continue working to achieve his goal and, also, be supportive. Biologists Gordon, Greenberg and Bassler amaze me with their studies on the bacteria that live in our body and how essential they are for health and life. And the work of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative is reflected in these words from its executive director: there are diseases that affect a quarter of the world’s population and that represent one percent of research.
Today there are people present on this stage with whom I aspire to feel identified, although they are a few decades older than me. Because I feel that they transmit, with their actions and in their works, that hope that guides and inspires us young people.
I want to thank all our winners, also those who have left us. For that light they project on the challenges and complexity of the world in which we live. And for ensuring that the awards that bear my name encourage us to follow a shared and hopeful path, without shirking efforts and with responsibility.
Thank you so much.
While in his speech, King Felipe VI remembered two winners who recently passed away and one who missed the ceremony after losing his wife. Felipe talked about the conflicts in the Middle East and the past winners of the Foundation awards who worked hard to bring and maintain the piece in 90s. Felipe reflected on the greater need of empathy and peace in the world for prosper future for our children and future generations. You can read his full speech hear.
You can watch the full ceremony here on YouTube.
What Queen Letizia of Spain wore to the 2023 Princess of Asturias awards ceremony
- Carolina Herrera One-Shoulder Crepe Midi Dress – (New Thanks to Nuria for the ids)
- UFO Zirconia Earrings – (Repeat)
- Corterno Ring – (Repeat)e
- Lambertson Truex Frame Clutch – (Repeat )
- Aquazzura Gatsby Sling 75 Gold Plexi Pumps – (New)
Heading towards the evening style – This is the night of the dazzling looks but keeping them elegant and simple is always the goal which Spanish Royal Ladies achieved perfectly.
Queen Letizia of Spain once again trusted her go-to label Carolina Herrera for the evening. Letizia was wearing a Carolina Herrera One-Shoulder Crepe Midi dress. The sold out dress was described on Nordstrom as “one-shoulder silhouette brings elevated elegance to skin-shimming midi dress kept beautifully fluid with a back vent and single long sleeve”.
A closer look at the dress tailoring and fabric.
Letizia teamed up the look with a pair of white gold and zirconia earrings that she has in her wardrobe for a long time now.
She was wearing a pair of new Aquazzura Gatsby Sling 75 Gold Plexi Pumps
And carried her Lambertson Truex Frame Clutch.
Her Corterno ring was not missing either.
What Princess Leonor wore to the 2023 Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony
- Moisés Nieto Dress – (New – Thanks to Nuria for the ids)
- Mascaro Phoebe Pumps – (New)
- Queen Letizia’s Bulgari Aquamarine Diamond earrings
The Spanish Princess Leonor was looking absolutely gorgeous in a blue custom made Moisés Nieto Dress. The outfit featured a textured peplum style jacket featuring a self belt and a long pleated skirt.
She paired the outfit with her mother’s Bulgari Aquamarine Diamond earrings and Mascaro Phoebe pumps.
What Infanta Sofia wore to the 2023 Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony
- Cardié Tabia Dress – (New – Thanks to UfoNoMore for the id)
- Massimo Dutti slingback Flats – (Repeat -debuted in 2020)
Tomorrow, the King and Queen with their daughters will present the annual exemplary town of Asturias award.