The Bank of Spain released two stunning official portraits of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. The portraits were taken by the famous American photographer, Annie Leibovitz, in the Gasparini Hall of the Royal Palace of Madrid in February this year during a photo session that reportedly lasted 5 hours. Designed to act as a dipytch, the pictures match perfectly when hung together showcasing the grandeur of the Gasparini Hall which is used for private audiences by the King.
The pictures are part of the official exhibition ‘The Thyness of Chrono’ and are on display at the Bank’s Effigie gallery along with many other watches and works from the Bank of Spain Collection. The exhibition is open to the public from 27 November, 2024 to 29 March, 2025.
While King Felipe VI chose his military attire for the official picture, Queen Letizia’ vintage strapless gown by Spanish courtier, Cristóbal Balenciaga, paired with a red cape is a subtle nod towards patriotism and grandeur as it is a unmistakable sartorial semaphore.
The black strapless ruched gown with A-line skirt is a part of the label’s 1948 exclusive collection. Queen Letizia borrowed the gown from the Antoni de Montpalau foundation. (Thanks to Vanitatis and Ufonomore for the details). The contrasting red cape, a tribute to the Spanish national colour, was designed for the Marchioness of Robert and Countess of Torroella de Montgrí by Cristobal Balenciaga in 1962 for the wedding of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.
Letizia paired the iconic outfit with Royal Jewels – Queen Ena’s diamond chanton earrings and Rivière diamond necklace. Designed by the Ansorena Jewelers, the necklace was a wedding gift to Victoria Eugenia by her husband King Alfonso XIII. The necklace originally contained 30 diamonds but ended up being close to 100 diamond collection pieces by the time Queen Victoria Eugenia died. She designated the necklace a Royal collection and made it part of the ‘Joyas de Pasar’ collection – A Spanish Royal Jewel Collection assembled by Queen Victoria Eugenia that could pass only to the Queens of Spain.
Letizia gave it a personal touch to the outfit with her gold Coreterno ring.