Queen Letizia of Spain, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and Queen Margrethe stood out elegantly in tiaras at a state banquet held at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Monday. This splendid evening marked the conclusion of Queen Letizia and King Felipe’s state visit to Denmark, which is scheduled to last until Wednesday.
What Tiaras Did They Wear at the Banquet?
Queen Letizia, who is 51 years old, sparkled in the Fleur de Lys tiara, affectionately called “La Buena” or “The Good One.” Queen Margrethe, aged 83, adorned herself with the Danish Emerald Parure Tiara, while Princess Mary, who is also 51, chose the versatile Diamond Necklace Tiara. It’s interesting to note that the Diamond Necklace Tiara can be worn as both a tiara and a necklace, and Princess Mary has worn it as both.
The ladies were dressed in elegant gowns for the diplomatic dinner, while King Felipe, aged 55, and Crown Prince Frederik, also 55, looked dashing in their military uniforms.
Why Did the Spanish Royals Receive Danish Honors?
The Spanish royals added a special new accessory to their attire: light blue Order of the Elephant sashes. This prestigious honor, Denmark’s highest chivalric award, was bestowed upon them during the state visit. The Danish Royal Court announced the awards, clarifying that Queen Margrethe herself authorized this designation.
The explanation behind this tradition is that during state visits, there’s a customary exchange of orders and medals when both the host country and the visiting country have a similar honor system. Notably, there hadn’t been a Spanish state visit to Denmark since 1980 when King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, Felipe’s parents, made the trip.
In this latest exchange, Princess Mary and Prince Frederik were also honored with the Grand Cross of the Spanish Order of Isabella the Catholic. They were seen wearing this new honor during the dinner, along with the order’s distinct yellow and white sash.
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How Did the State Visit Begin, and What Was the Royal Tradition?
King Felipe and Queen Letizia initiated a three-day state visit to enhance the bond between the two countries. They were accompanied by the Spanish minister for foreign affairs and a business delegation.
The visit commenced with an official reception at Copenhagen Airport, where Queen Margrethe, her eldest son, her daughter-in-law, and her sister, Princess Benedikte, welcomed Felipe and Letizia.
During the welcome, Princess Mary showed a traditional display of respect by curtsying deeply to King Felipe. This gesture of deference is common in royal settings and is particularly significant due to Felipe’s high royal status as a monarch.
Special Moments at the Gala
Following their arrival, Queen Margrethe and King Felipe conducted an inspection of the Royal Life Guard. Subsequently, they enjoyed a carriage ride from The Citadel to Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg, which serves as the residence of the Danish royal family.
In a heartwarming photograph shared by the Danish Royal Court on Instagram, King Felipe was seen affectionately putting his arm around 12-year-old Prince Vincent, who happens to be his godson.
Prince Vincent is one of the children of Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, alongside Prince Christian, Princess Isabella (aged 18 and 16, respectively), and Princess Josephine, who is Vincent’s twin. This candid moment showcased the close and special bond between the Spanish royals and their Danish counterparts.
What’s Next?
Later, King Felipe held a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Christiansborg Palace. In the evening, he and Queen Letizia attended the state banquet.
The previous month was marked by significant celebrations for both the Danish and Spanish royal families, as the heirs to both thrones reached the age of 18. Prince Christian, the eldest son of Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, celebrated his 18th birthday on October 15.
The occasion was commemorated with a balcony appearance at Amalienborg Castle, followed by a splendid gala held at Christiansborg Palace in the evening.
The palace celebration turned into a heartwarming mini-royal gathering where Prince Christian shared a cheerful group photo with four fellow European future monarchs.
In the snapshot, Prince Christian, aged 18, stood alongside Princess Estelle of Sweden, who is 11, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, aged 19, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, also 19, and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who is 21.
The Danish Royal House shared this photo on Instagram. Just like Prince Christian, these princesses are the firstborn children of their respective parents, who happen to be Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and King Philippe of Belgium. All of them are in the line of succession to their respective thrones.
While the Spanish royal family didn’t attend the gala, it’s worth noting that King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s eldest daughter, Princess Leonor, is also a part of the next generation of future European monarchs.
Currently, the Princess of Asturias is undergoing a three-year military training program with the Spanish Army, Navy, and Air Force as part of her journey toward ascending to the Spanish throne.
How Did Princess Leonor Celebrate Her 18th Birthday and What Tradition Did She Follow?
The future Queen of Spain celebrated her 18th birthday on October 31 with a significant milestone. Princess Leonor, accompanied by her parents and her 16-year-old sister, Princess Sofia, visited the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. There, she swore allegiance to the Spanish Constitution as she officially came of age.
During the solemn ceremony in the Chamber, Princess Leonor stated, “I swear to faithfully carry out my duties, to keep and ensure that the Constitution and the laws are kept, to respect the rights of citizens and the Autonomous Communities, as well as loyalty to the King,” as per the Spanish royal court.
This moment marked a crucial tradition as she reached the age of adulthood, following in her father’s footsteps. Article 61.2 of the Spanish Constitution dictates that “The Crown Prince, upon reaching of age, and the Regent or Regents upon taking charge of their functions, will take the same oath, as well as that of fidelity to the King.”
The busy schedule for the next two days of the Spanish state visit, according to the Danish Royal Court, includes various engagements such as a business conference, wreath-laying at The Citadel, visits to the University of Copenhagen, and a tour of Mary Elizabeth’s Hospital, among other activities.
