Attending Thursday’s 106th ABC Journalism Awards alongside King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia kept a 20-year tradition alive. The event pays tribute to the very profession Letizia practiced before marrying into royalty, but it’s the Queen’s show-stopping style that has turned this ceremony into Spain’s ultimate fashion event.
The queen first attended the awards in 2006 wearing a memorable silver gown by Felipe Varela. Since then, she has consistently delivered polished, understated looks that reflect her signature minimalist style, while occasionally embracing more fashion-forward choices, from fringe dresses to tailored jumpsuits cinched with statement belts. It is also one of the occasions when she often brings out the joyas de pasar, the priceless collection of royal heirlooms assembled by Queen Victoria Eugenie.
© WireImageQueen Letizia Rewears a Taffeta Dress First Seen at the Princess of Asturias Awards
For this year’s ceremony, Letizia once again turned to black, a color she frequently favors for evening events in Spain. Her dress came from Spanish label The 2nd Skin Co., founded in 2006, the same year she first attended these awards, by designers Juan Carlos Fernández and Antonio Burillo.
© Getty ImagesThe sleeveless design featured a high jewel neckline and a full midi skirt embellished with raised bow appliqués, creating a silhouette reminiscent of Christian Dior‘s iconic 1947 New Look: sharply fitted through the bodice before flaring dramatically at the waist. Crafted from taffeta, the dress debuted as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection under the name Magna Magnolia.
© Getty ImagesJoining King Felipe VI onstage to honor this year’s recipients, Letizia refreshed the look with a slim leather belt that further defined her waist, a satin clutch with a crystal set clasp, and one o
© Getty ImagesQueen Victoria Eugenie’s Historic Heirloom Jewels
Just as she did when she first wore the dress in 2021, Letizia completed the look with the same joyas de pasar. She again chose the classic diamond stud earrings, featuring old-cut diamonds set in prong mountings. The understated earrings, crafted by historic Spanish jeweler Ansorena, barely drop below the earlobe and come from the workshops that served the Spanish royal household for generations.
© Getty ImagesHer diamond bracelet carries an equally remarkable history. It is one of a matching pair fashioned from a small crown King Alfonso XIII presented to Queen Victoria Eugenie as a wedding gift in 1906.
© Getty ImagesVictoria Eugenie also determined the future of the collection in her will: “I wish, if possible, for them to pass to my son Don Juan, asking that he in turn leave them to my grandson Don Juan Carlos. The rest of my jewelry should be divided between my two daughters.”
Known collectively as the joyas de pasar, or heirloom jewels, the collection comprises eight pieces traditionally passed from one queen to the next. Queen Letizia currently holds them for her lifetime, and they are expected to pass to Princess Leonor in the future.
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