She’s effortlessly stylish, beloved by the public and comes from a ‘normal’ background, no we’re not talking about our very own Duchess of Cambridge, there’s a new modern monarch on the block and she goes by the name of Queen Letizia of Spain, or to use her original title: Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.
The wife of King Felipe VI, who took the royal reins from his father Juan Carlos I last year, Leticia has injected a refreshing sense of normality into the previously stuffy institution of the Spanish Royal Family and is as admired for her elegant and contemporary style as she is for her humanitarian work and common touch.
And with the news that Leticia and her husband are set to be the first Spanish royals to visit the UK for 30 years, when they touch down next spring, it would appear that Kate - fashion’s first lady - might have a bit of competition on her hands.
But whilst many are pitching this as a future battle between two fashion forces: Kate with her outrageously glossy mane and pinpoint prim style and Leticia, with her cool glamour and red carpet-worthy wardrobe, we think this could well become the most stylish friendship of 2016.
Donna Wallace, Accessories Editor here at Elle says: “Letizia seems comfortable in what she wears, she can dress formally, but also knows how change things up with leather or leopard print. I think her and Kate have a similar aesthetic, but where Kate is classic, Letizia is a bit more daring.”
A former journalist and news reporter, Leticia appeared from relative obscurity when she married Felipe in 2004, whilst Kate hails from a middle-class background and met Will during their time at St Andrews University.
They’re both renowned for their connection to the people, with Leticia and Felipe regularly being seen out and about on the school run and shopping in public, whilst Kate and Will broke royal tradition by allowing the public to photograph Princess Charlotte’s christening in June.
And while no one can send shoppers into a frenzy quite like Kate - her latest outfits regularly causing palpitations throughout the highstreet; following Queen Leticia’s hairstyle has become a national pastime in Spain, where she goes from rocking the bob to wavy, golden tresses with careless abandon.
So welcome Leticia, we think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Words by Finlay Renwick
