Looks like a royal fashion face off could be coming to a gossip rag near you! It’s no secret that we’re under Kate Middleton’s spell, but it seems our girl crush has made us blind to another Euro fashion icon: Spain’s Princess Letizia. Since her marriage to Prince Filipe in May 2004 (Happy belated, you two), her father in law King Juan Carlos has recently decided to pass the reigns down to his son, seeing it time for a younger generation to take over. And along the way the soon-to-be queen has proved herself a must-watch for style inspo. At the age of 41 with two daughters by her side, she is proof that age and motherhood can do a girl good.
In need of a Princess Letizia cheat sheet? Before marrying into the royal family she earned a masters degree in journalism and had a successful career as a television anchor, following in the footsteps of her father Jesús Ortiz Álvarez who was also a prominent journalist and her grandmother Menchu Álvarez del Valle, a radio broadcaster in her day. She even won the Madrid Press Association’s 2010 Larra Award for most accomplished journalist under 30. We’re impressed. Oh, and for some gossip, she also had a previous one-year marriage to a high school lit teacher 6 years before she joined the royals, making her the first divorced queen when she’s crowned queen on June 19, 2014
Like Kate, Letizia was a commoner before getting hitched, and as such, she rocks high street style like a pro. Often sporting Spanish mega brands like Zara and Mango, Princess Letizia’s thrift game is strong. Proving that blazers, cardis, and dress pants can go a long way (paging Jackie Kennedy!), we’ve put together a gallery of Princess Letizia’s best outfits since her wedding.
So, the next time someone asks you “who is Princess Letizia?,” you’ll have at least 10 answers.
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Photography by Fotonoticias/WireImage
Photography by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Photography by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Photography by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Photography by Fotonoticias/Getty Images
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1/10
Princess Letizia Wedding Manuel Pertegaz
May 22, 2004: Letizia marries Prince Filipe in a long sleeve collared dress designed by Manuel Pertegaz, and becomes Princess of Spain.
2/10
Princess Letizia Attend PhotoEspana Exhibition
June 3, 2009: Princess Letizia and her Prince attend the PhotoEspana 2009 exhibition opening at the Real Jardin in Madrid, Spain. She paired a tailored printed dress with red exposing heels and a deep purple clutch.
3/10
Princess Letizia Visits Royal Yacht Club
August 7, 2009: Princess Letizia attends the 28th Copa del Rey Audi Sailing Cup with her two daughters, wearing a printed sheer top and flared white dress pants. She accessorized with a big belt, over-sized sunnies and peep-toed wedges for an appropriately nautical feel.
4/10
Princess Letizia Visits Zarauela Palace 2010
June 2, 2010: The princess attends several audiences, at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain looking flawless in an emerald green dress, nude Magrit leather sandals and a butterfly arm band.
5/10
Princess Letizia Visits Elpardo Palace
April 25, 2011: Princess Letizia attends a lunch at El Pardo Palace in Madrid, Spain in an animal print dress and beige cardi. She topped off the look with a subtle nude belt and heels.
6/10
Princess Letizia Visits San Jose Hospital Uterque
April 15, 2012: Princess Letizia and her daughter Leonor visit King Juan Carlos of Spain at San Jose Hospital. Letizia is wearing a multicoloured Uterque tweed jacket with a pink top and black dress pants. She also sports black kitten heels and a Coach purse to finish off the look.
7/10
Princess Letizia Visits Zarzuela Palace Zara
July 18, 2012: Princess and Prince attend several audiences at Zarzuela Palace. A perfect example of elegant high street style, the soon-to-be Queen wears a Zara printed dress, paired with a light grey belt and Magrit peep-toe pumps.
8/10
Princess Letizia Attends AECC Meeting Old Belstaff
January 20, 2014: The Princess attends a meeting at the Spanish Asociation Against Cancer in an Old Belstaff Cat Jacket.
9/10
Princess Letizia Attends Young Businessmen Awards Felipe Varela
March 27, 2014: Looking regal, Letizia attends ‘Young Businessman’ National Awards 2014 at Villamagna Hotel in Madrid, Spain wearing a detailed black and nude dress by Madrid-based designer Filipe Varela.
10/10
Princess Letizia Celebrates Tenth Anniversary
May 22, 2014: The soon-to-be King and Queen of Spain celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary visiting ‘El Greco’ exhibition at the ‘Santa Cruz’ museum in Toledo, Spain. The Princess is a vision in this fitted beige peacoat and white pants, paired with light brown accessories.