A Royal Anniversary: Celebrating Two Decades of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
Twenty years have passed since that magnificent day in Madrid when the then Prince of Asturias, Felipe, exchanged vows with the accomplished Spanish journalist, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. This momentous occasion, held on May 22, 2004, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Spanish monarchy and captured the attention of the world. As we commemorate this significant anniversary, we delve into the dazzling array of jewels that adorned the royal couple and their esteemed guests, offering a sparkling glimpse into one of Europe’s most memorable royal weddings.
The Genesis of a Royal Romance: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s Journey
The lavish wedding ceremony took place on May 22, 2004, at the grand Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. Prince Felipe, then 36, was the esteemed son and heir of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. His unique royal lineage stemmed from both parents being born into royalty, with Queen Sofia being the daughter of King Paul and Queen Friederike of Greece. Proclaimed Prince of Asturias in 1977 following the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, Felipe’s upbringing was meticulously tailored for his future sovereign role. His extensive education included studies in law and foreign service, alongside military training in Spain’s army, navy, and air force. A keen athlete, he notably represented Spain in sailing at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, showcasing his diverse talents and dedication. He is also a gifted linguist, fluent in Spanish, French, English, and other languages.
In a move that captivated and delighted the Spanish public in November 2003, Prince Felipe announced his engagement to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, then a prominent 31-year-old television news anchor. Born in Oviedo, Letizia forged an impressive career in journalism, earning degrees in Madrid before working across Mexico and the United States. Her path famously crossed with Prince Felipe’s in December 2002 while she was reporting on an oil tanker disaster off the Galician coast, a humanitarian crisis that Felipe was visiting. Their discreet courtship unfolded over the subsequent year, culminating in the joyous engagement announcement on November 6, 2003. During a widely televised press conference, Letizia proudly displayed the distinctive diamond engagement ring bestowed upon her by Felipe, a piece of modern elegance featuring a band of ten baguette diamonds rather than a traditional large solitaire.
Bridal Splendor: Queen Letizia’s Wedding Ensemble
Felipe and Letizia’s wedding was a significant historical event, being the first Spanish royal marriage held in Madrid since the ill-fated nuptials of his great-grandparents, King Alfonso XIII and Queen Ena, in 1906. Fortunately, unlike that historically somber event, Felipe and Letizia’s special day unfolded flawlessly. Princess Letizia graced the aisle in a breathtakingly elegant, high-collared wedding gown meticulously crafted by renowned Spanish couturier Manuel Pertegaz. This extraordinary silk creation was exquisitely embroidered with real gold thread, featuring intricate motifs that held profound symbolism. Ears of wheat, signifying abundance and fertility, intertwined with lilies, a poignant nod to the House of Bourbon’s traditional fleur-de-lis emblem. The dress culminated in a dramatic 15-foot train, adding to the regal majesty of her bridal appearance.
To complete her bridal ensemble, Letizia carried a delicate antique 19th-century fan, a treasured piece from the Spanish royal collection. Her cathedral-length lace veil, a personal gift from Prince Felipe, was held in place by a magnificent diamond diadem: the Prussian Tiara. This exquisite jewel was graciously loaned to her by her new mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, embodying a beautiful tradition of familial heirlooms. The tiara itself carried a rich legacy, having been passed down through generations from Queen Sofia’s mother and her maternal grandmother, making it a truly significant piece for such an important occasion.
The Illustrious Prussian Tiara: A Royal Heirloom
The Prussian Tiara is a delicate and elegant diamond and platinum kokoshnik-style piece, a design popular in the early 20th century, characterized by its fan-like shape. Its origins trace back to Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, the only daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. Crafted by the esteemed German court jeweler Koch, the tiara was a testament to the finest craftsmanship of its era. In the spring of 1911, the 18-year-old Viktoria Luise was famously captured wearing the tiara by the prominent British photographer Keturah Anne Collings during her visit to Britain with her parents. This visit was for the unveiling of the memorial dedicated to her late great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, majestically positioned in front of Buckingham Palace.
A year later, destiny intervened as Viktoria Luise met and fell deeply in love with Prince Ernst August, the son and heir of the Duke of Cumberland and former Crown Prince of Hanover. Their union in 1913 was more than just a marriage; it was a diplomatic triumph that healed a long-standing rift between the Hanoverians and the Hohenzollerns, a feud that had endured since Prussia’s annexation of Hanover in 1866. The royal wedding of Ernst August and Viktoria Luise stood as the last grand gathering of European royals before the tumultuous outbreak of World War I, making it a historically significant event filled with pomp and circumstance.
A Legacy Transferred: From Prussian Princess to Spanish Queen
Viktoria Luise and Ernst August were blessed with five children. Their only daughter, Princess Friederike, was born in 1917 amidst the ravages of World War I across the European continent. By the time Friederike embarked on her education abroad, Europe had found a fragile peace. She traveled to Italy, where she developed a close bond with her cousins, Princesses Helen and Irene of Greece. This familial connection blossomed into a romance with their brother, Prince Paul, who was destined to ascend to the Greek throne as King Paul of the Hellenes.
Prince Paul proposed to Friederike in 1936 during the Summer Olympics in Berlin, a romantic gesture amidst the global spectacle. They were married approximately a year and a half later, in January 1938, in a grand ceremony held in Athens. For her engagement photographs, Viktoria Luise loaned the Prussian Tiara to Friederike, a symbol of her mother’s blessing and affection. Eventually, the tiara was gifted outright to her daughter, securing its place as a cherished family heirloom for generations to come.
The legacy of the Prussian Tiara continued to sparkle through a third generation of the royal family when Paul and Friederike’s elder daughter, Sofia, began wearing it as a young woman. She most notably selected this magnificent diadem as her bridal tiara when she married Infante Juan Carlos of Spain in Athens in 1962. This union ultimately led to their ascension as King and Queen of Spain, with Sofia bringing the beloved tiara with her to Madrid, where it has remained a significant part of the Spanish royal jewel collection. Both of Juan Carlos and Sofia’s daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, have had the honor of wearing the tiara. It quickly became a particular favorite of their daughter-in-law, Letizia, who proudly wore it on her wedding day and continued to feature it as her primary tiara for many years thereafter. There is a widespread anticipation that we will soon see it grace the head of Felipe and Letizia’s elder daughter, the current Princess of Asturias, Princess Leonor, marking yet another chapter in its storied history.
Queen Letizia’s Wedding Day Jewels and Royal Guests
Complementing the majestic Prussian Tiara, Queen Letizia chose a stunning new pair of sparkling diamond earrings for her wedding day. These exquisite earrings were a thoughtful gift from King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. The stud portion of each earring artfully incorporates a fleur-de-lis motif, a fitting and symbolic design for the bride of a prince from the House of Borbón. These earrings have remained a cherished and frequently worn part of Letizia’s extensive jewelry collection throughout the past two decades, showcasing their enduring appeal and significance.
The wedding of Felipe and Letizia drew an impressive congregation of royal dignitaries from across the globe, transforming Madrid into a nexus of European royalty. This event followed a whirlwind of royal celebrations in recent weeks, including the weddings of Prince Friso and Princess Mabel in the Netherlands, and the grand nuptials of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in Denmark. Despite the packed royal calendar, guests arrived in their finest day ensembles, adorned with exquisite jewels, to celebrate this significant Spanish occasion. For a closer look at the glittering gala jewels worn during the pre-wedding dinner the night before, readers can explore previous articles (part one and part two). Below, we highlight some of the most memorable royal jewelry moments from the wedding ceremony itself.
Notable Royal Attendees and Their Jewels
The mother of the groom, Queen Sofia of Spain, exuded timeless elegance in a stunning demi-parure of emerald and diamond jewels. This exquisite set comprised a necklace, a pair of coordinating earrings, and a bracelet, all showcasing vibrant emeralds nestled among brilliant diamonds. This magnificent suite has since been borrowed and worn by Queen Letizia on several occasions in recent years, demonstrating its versatility and enduring beauty.
Felipe’s eldest sister, Infanta Elena, made a graceful entrance adorned with pearls, complementing her elegant ensemble and a dramatic lace mantilla. It is widely believed that the exquisite strand of pearls she wore is the historic pearl necklace from thejoyas de pasarcollection, which are the Spanish Crown Jewels. Additionally, Elena accessorized her left wrist with a beautiful diamond and pearl bracelet, a treasured piece from the distinguished collection of her grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona.
Infanta Cristina, Felipe’s other sister, opted for a sophisticated gold and gray ensemble, distinguished by a textural floral coat. Her chosen accessories for the wedding ceremony included a selection of elegant diamond bracelets and a radiant pair of diamond floral earrings, adding a subtle yet glamorous touch to her attire.
Felipe’s aunt, Infanta Pilar of Spain, made a striking statement with her choice of stunning pearls for the wedding ceremony. Her ensemble included classic pearl and diamond button earrings, a gracefully draped single-stranded pearl necklace, and an elaborate multi-row pearl bracelet, exquisitely finished with a gemstone clasp, highlighting her refined taste.
Another of the groom’s aunts, Infanta Margarita, captivated observers with a magnificent suite of jewelry, brilliantly adorned with sparkling diamonds and deep blue sapphires, adding a regal touch to her presence at the wedding.
Royals from various European nations and beyond graced the Spanish wedding with their presence. Queen Fabiola of Belgium, herself hailing from a distinguished Spanish aristocratic family, glittered in a breathtaking diamond necklace that featured a prominent, large aquamarine pendant from her impressive personal collection, creating a striking visual.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, known for her distinctive style, chose an elegant combination of diamonds and pearls for the wedding. She masterfully utilized the historic Connaught Pearl Bar Brooch as a magnificent enhancer, fastening it onto a long, lustrous pearl necklace. This particular brooch subtly highlights the intertwined British royal heritage shared by both the Spanish and Danish royal families, as it originally belonged to Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught, who was a sister-in-law to Spain’s Queen Ena. To complete her look, Queen Margrethe also sported contemporary diamond and pearl earrings, exquisitely crafted by the renowned Danish jeweler Jan Stockmarr.
A significant number of the distinguished royal guests at the wedding chose to wear exquisite pearls, a testament to their classic elegance. Queen Silvia of Sweden’s refined pearly ensemble prominently featured the magnificent Leuchtenberg Pearl and Ruby Brooch. This treasured piece was a gift from King Oscar I of Sweden to his beloved wife, Joséphine of Leuchtenberg. The brooch is notably adorned with five exquisite pearls, symbolizing the five children of Oscar and Joséphine, adding a deeply personal and historical layer to its beauty.
Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, ever a beacon of sartorial elegance, was resplendent in diamond and pearl jewelry for the royal wedding ceremony. As a sophisticated embellishment for her coat, she utilized the Dutch royal family’s exquisite gray pearl fleur-de-lis brooch. This choice was a thoughtful and charming nod to the Spanish royal family, acknowledging their shared heritage and the symbolic significance of the fleur-de-lis within the House of Borbón.
Princess Caroline of Monaco was among the distinguished guests, attending the wedding alongside her (now estranged) husband, Ernst August of Hanover. The Hanoverian and Spanish royal families share a close kinship through Felipe’s grandmother, Queen Friederike of the Hellenes. For the ceremony, Princess Caroline chose a captivating suite of diamond floral jewels, exquisitely complemented by her impressive aquamarine and diamond brooch, showcasing her impeccable taste in fine jewelry.
Equally resplendent was the Begum Aga Khan, a title then held by Gabriele Thyssen, who had also been previously married to Karl of Leiningen. Gabriele adorned herself with lustrous pearls, paired with a magnificent suite of diamond and ruby flower jewels. This breathtaking set, renowned for its intricate craftsmanship, originated from Van Cleef & Arpels and utilized the firm’s celebrated “mystery setting” technique. A notable part of its recent history, Gabriele subsequently sold the ruby suite at auction in 2016.
Just as she had done for the Danish royal pre-wedding gala merely a week prior, Marina of Savoy chose to display exquisite pieces from the family’s striking pink tourmaline parure for the Spanish royal wedding. She adorned herself with the matching necklace, earrings, and bracelet from the suite for the ceremony, presenting a cohesive and vibrant look.
The Savoys, however, arrived at this grand royal wedding perhaps with a slight air of sheepishness. The night before, Marina’s husband, Vittorio Emanuele, had been involved in a now infamous altercation, reportedly punching his cousin and fellow pretender to the Italian throne, Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, at the glittering pre-wedding gala. Queen Anne-Marie of Greece quickly intervened, catching Amedeo as he stumbled back on the steps of the Royal Palace of El Pardo. King Juan Carlos I, visibly incensed by the sordid episode, is said to have thunderously declared “¡Nunca más!” (Never again!) in response. Amedeo, helped inside, received an ice pack courtesy of a member of a Middle Eastern royal family. The injured prince later understated the incident to a newspaper, describing it simply as “an unpleasant business that does not deserve further comment.”
Enduring Legacy: King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s Reign
Fortunately, the dramatic episode involving the Savoys appears to have been the only significant hiccup during Felipe and Letizia’s wedding festivities. The remainder of their special day unfolded without any major incidents, leading to a successful and joyous celebration. Their marriage has not only endured but thrived over the past two decades, weathering various challenges. While scandals have unfortunately embroiled several other members of Felipe’s extended family during this period, he and Queen Letizia have largely emerged from such controversies unscathed, maintaining a reputation for diligence and integrity. They are proud parents to two daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, who represent the future of the Spanish monarchy. Since 2014, they have reigned as the King and Queen of Spain, steering the institution into a new, modernized era.
To honor their milestone 20th wedding anniversary, the Spanish royal court recently released a series of heartwarming new photographs of King Felipe and Queen Letizia alongside their daughters. These portraits beautifully emphasize the strong bonds and closeness within their family, underscoring their commitment to both their public duties and their private lives. Their enduring partnership stands as a testament to dedication and love, both within their family and to the nation they serve.