King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain visited the Bank of Spain in Madrid to view the exhibition “The Tyranny of Cronos,” which prominently features their official portraits taken by the renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz. This visit marked the first time the royal couple saw the final results of their portraits in person, nearly a year after the photo session took place on February 7, 2024, in the Gasparini Hall of the Royal Palace in Madrid.
This exhibition features a collection of over fifty works exploring the concept of time. During their visit, the King and Queen were accompanied by Leibovitz herself, and they viewed the diptych of their portraits, which are designed to be displayed together, reflecting a blend of modernity and tradition. The portraits, commissioned by the Bank of Spain to celebrate the tenth anniversary of King Felipe’s reign and the twentieth anniversary of the couple’s marriage in May and June 2024.
On February 26, 2025, The exhibition, curated by Yolanda Romero, opened to the public on November 27, 2024, and has been extended to May 31, 2025, due to high demand, with free entry available via advance ticket reservations on the Bank of Spain’s website. These photographs, printed with UV-curable ink on primed polyester canvas, measure approximately 223.52 x 170.18 centimeters each, making them the largest works Leibovitz has exhibited to date. The five-hour photo session in February 2024 involved meticulous attention to detail, with various outfits, jewelry, and decorations tested to capture the solemnity and essence of the monarchy.
For the visit, King wore a sharp double-breasted grey suit with a crimson tie and cherry-colored leather shoes, while Queen Letizia opted for a striking red Carolina Herrera pantsuit, featuring a long-sleeved blazer and wide-leg trousers, accessorized with nude heels and subtle makeup with a smoky eye and pink lip. Her choice of red echoed the vibrant crimson shawl she wore in her portrait, drawing a visual connection between the event and the artwork.
The portraits themselves are rich with symbolism and artistic intent. In his image, King Felipe is depicted in the gala uniform of the Captain General of the Spanish Army, complete with decorations, a red sash, and the Golden Fleece, standing amidst classical elements like a mirror, table, armchairs, chandelier, and a National Heritage clock from the era of Carlos III. This composition nods to traditional court portraiture, reminiscent of Velázquez, while the downward tilt of perspective and shadowy lighting subtly suggest a sense of instability or burden.
Queen Letizia, in contrast, is portrayed in a vintage black strapless gown by Cristóbal Balenciaga, paired with a dramatic red shawl and adorned with Queen Victoria Eugenie’s diamond rivière necklace and matching earrings from the “Joyas de Pasar” collection. Her portrait is bathed in light streaming from a window, with upward lines of perspective enhancing her luminous and commanding presence, evoking strength and modernity. At the exhibition, the royals engaged with the artworks and the accompanying narrative of time, which includes over fifty pieces—tapestries, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and historic clocks—exploring its cultural and philosophical dimensions.
What Queen Letizia wore Bank of Spain Exhibition Opening
- Carolina Herrera Longline Red suit – Repeat – debuted in April 2023 at Palace audience
- Beige Top – Unidentified
- Barbara Goenaga Rayo Iconic Earrings – Repeat – debuted in April 2024 Barcelona 92 Olympics
- Coreterno Ring – Repeat January 2023
- Magrit Mica Bag – Repeat Princess of Asturias Audience in October 2024
- Magrit Clara Pumps – Repeat – debuted in January 2024 at the Disability awards