King Felipe VI of Spain may have been hosting the annual Prince of Asturias awards but it was his wife Queen Letizia who turned heads at the ceremony.Looking as graceful as ever, Letizia, 42, proved that she was one of Europe's most best-dressed royals as she stepped out to the high-profile event in the region's capital city of Oviedo.The Spanish beauty opted for a blue dress with black lace and beaded overlay, showing off her slender figure and toned legs. She swept her brunette locks into a low bun and accessorised with diamond and gem stone drop earrings, completing her elegant look.
Letizia and her husband Felipe, who donned a blue tie, were giving a nod to the Asturias region, whose flag bears a light shade of the colour.The queen couldn't hide her pride and affection towards her husband as she kissed him on the cheek and walked hand-in-hand with him to the stage where he delivered a much-awaited speech.This was the first time that Felipe, 46, and Letizia had attended the event as ruling monarchs, as the king ascended the throne last June. The awards recognise those who have contributed significantly to the world of science, humanities and public affairs.
"As a boy standing in this same auditorium, I presented the first awards and gave my first speech in public," said Felipe, who has been overseeing the ceremony that was originally named after him since his teenage years. "And supported by the strength of hopes and dreams, convinced that there is nothing we can't do without courage and determination, we have moved forward year after year," he said.Felipe's eldest eight-year-old daughter Leonor, who is the youngest heir to a European throne, will preside over the ceremony when she is old enough. The event was renamed after her earlier this year.
The king and queen looked particularly touched when the president of the now Princess of Asturias Foundation gave a special mention to Leonor, complimenting the "extremely natural transition" from father to daughter.As is customary, Felipe and Letizia were joined by the king's mother Queen Sofia, who looked equally elegant in a metallic grey skirt and floral patterned blazer.