Then Prince Felipe must have been a fan of the news because rumor has it he asked a journalist friend, Pedro Erquicia, to set up a dinner and invite Letizia so the two could meet. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Scroll through to take a look back at all the highlights of King Felipe and Queen Letizia's royal wedding. While reports say Letizia handed over her number to the prince, the two didn't start dating for a few more months.Things got serious in the following years while the couple dated in secret, and on Nov. 1, 2003, the Spanish royal family shocked the country by announcing the prince's engagement to Letizia. The Royal couple was given a short military send-off before they boarded and headed home. Letizia was seen waving to royal fans ahead of the visit, where she was seen deep in conversation with victims and viewed photographs of the destruction caused by thevolcanic eruption. When the engagement of future Spanish King Felipe and TV newsreader Letizia Ortiz was announced back in November 2003, the then-queen of Spain, Sofa, became a fundamental element of support for the new arrival to the royal family. The El Fuerte barracks are being used by Spanish authorities to support their response to the volcanic eruption and later the royals will visitthe La Palma council headquarters. She was previously married to writer Alonso Guerrero Prez(via Daily Mail) for a short time before their divorce in 1999 (via Casa De Su Majestad El Rey). At least 25 millionpeoplein Spain tuned in to watch the event (via The Washington Post), which is pretty impressive. It all started when the family patriarch, King JuanCarlos, was discovered to have injured himself during a 2012 elephant hunting trip in Africa. The couple were also joined by King Felipes father, Juan Carlos I, which marked his first public appearance since he abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, who has since distanced himself from his father following numerous accusations of tax fraud and money laundering. The marriage between the then Crown Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortizcame as a surprise to many, as the royal couple, who had met at a dinner party held by a mutual friend, had been secretly dating for a year before their surprise engagement announcement. Image Source: Getty / Carlos Alvarez King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have been married for more than 13 years, and while the royal couple is solid, their relationship didn't start that . They've since welcomed daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia of Spain and we've also had some adorable mother-daughter twinning moments between the young royals and Letizia. The couple holds hands as they wait to receive the President of Mexico and his wife in Madrid. 2. Since meeting in 2002 at a mutual friend'sdinner party, it's been said that Letizia and Felipe shared an instant connection. "Whatever Felipe does, he is always embarrassed by his father," royal expert Pilar Eyre toldEuronews. After that, they plan to sleep in the car. Princess Leonor was named the official heir to the Spanish throne when she was just 8 years old (via Casa Real) and took up her official royal duties after giving a speech when she was 13 years old (via YouTube). Letizia, who was well-known already thanks to her job as a news anchor for Spanish national TV, and the future King revealed their wedding plans to the world during a news conference in November 2003 at the Zarzuela Palace. Europe's most glamorous new young royalsQueen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spainformally acceded to the throne today after Felipe's father, the scandal-hit King Juan Carlos, tearfully signed the official instrument of abdication at midnight last night. Nikki Batley, 46, fled her home on La Palma on Sunday as volcano erupted and is now staying in friend's apartment with husbandPedro Castro Ramos and son John (pictured together). As part of the last leg of their visit, Felipe and Letizia visited the Angolan National Assembly, where they held a meeting with the president of the Chamber, Carolina Cerqueira. The bride was a journalist. The couple couldn't contain their excitement in the Royal Palace after the wedding. What lack of sleep REALLY does to your face: Expert reveals the warning signs your skin is suffering, My Daily Horoscope: What does March 2nd hold for MY star sign? As for her husband, King Felipe twinned with his wife in an almost identical suit, which he layered over a crisp white shirt, a purple tie and similar Oxford shoes talk about couple goals! According to The Guardian, Spanish citizens were up in arms because taxpayer money was funding the luxuriously expensive trip, which took place in the middle of a recession. HELLO! Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked lovely in a nude dress and peach coat, as she arrived at the nuptials on the arm of her husband King Willem-Alexander. At the time of the wedding, the groom was the heir to the Spanish throne. Embed from Getty Images. When the mouth of the volcano opened, it is literally directly above us. During the Iraq War, she was embedded with a unit of fighters and broadcast live from the frontlines.Ortiz met Felipe in November 2002 on assignment, covering a story about an oil spillage in northern Spain. Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain flew to La Palma to meet locals who were evacuated after a volcanic eruption swallowed hundreds of homes. On their official website, there's even a dedicated tab for "Transparency" where anyone can view or request information about the crown's expenses. From their first happenstance meeting in 2002 to their matching fashion statements in 2022, we've unpacked every twist and turn in their relationship to give you an inside look at their royal marriage. Following his father's formal resignation and departure from the country, Felipe immediately took up the role of king(viaCasa De Su Majestad El Rey). ThoughLetizia hasn't made verbal declarations of love in public like her husband, her facial expressions and body language around him tell you everything you need to know. Gianluca Russo. Alonso Guerrero Prez also gained a boost in media attention after the royal engagement was announced, something he's apparently been frustrated about ever since. Friday's meeting rounds off a busy schedule for the Spanish royal, who on Wednesday attendedthe Investigation National Awards 2022 in Alicante. Felipe and Letizia kept their relationship a secret until they announced their engagement in 2003 (via CNN ). Meanwhile, Sofa is wrapping up her time at a primary school closer to home (via RegalFille). King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary on 22 May 2021, so at HELLO! Images on this website are copyrighted to their respectful owners. READ:Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding, WATCH: Queen Letizia's style evolution through the years. Appearing at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport, Queen Letizia and King Felipe were spotted departing for their official visit to Germany. Crown Princess Victoria wore an eye-catching orange Asian inspired dress to the nuptials. On Wednesday, 1 March, Their Majesties She moved away from the chromatic range of pinks, which have been her uniform this week, as she joined the Board of Trustees at the UNICEF headquarters. Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain formally acceded to the throne today. 's selection is editorial and independently chosen we only feature items our editors love and approve of. Felipe puts his arm around Letizia on the balcony of the Royal Palace during his official coronation ceremony on June 19, 2014 in Madrid. Carolina Herrera houndstooth topShop the current collection. ON 22 May 2004, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano became Queen of Spain when she tied the knot with the King, Felipe V1. Crown Prince Felipe meets journalist and divorce Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano at a dinner party on October 17, 2002. Days later, the two share a laugh as they pose for photographers in an official engagement ceremony at the garden of El Pardo Palace. Things only got worse from there. The red dress features a round neckline, long sleeves with button details on the sleeve and a draped skirt with a slit.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'regalfille_com-box-4','ezslot_8',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-regalfille_com-box-4-0');CH Carolina Herrera Essential Slingback Red Suede Pumps. The Spanish royals met residents at the El . MORE:Relive Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark's wedding with these stunning photos. Secondly, as a commoner, she had to make many adjustments to fit royal protocol. Felipe kisses his wife during the trophy ceremony at the 25th Copa del Rey regatta in Palma de Mallorca. The bride she rode with her father, Jess Jos Ortiz lvarez, to Almudena Cathedral to wed her Prince. MORE:Queen Letizia has a 16-diamond engagement ring but you'll rarely see it, READ:Queen Letizia's top 10 age-defying fashion moments: Mango, H&M & more, Queen Letizia and King Felipe twinned in navy pinstripe suits. More than 500 dignitaries and diplomates were in attendance. The couple's wedding took place on May 22, 2004 at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral. Things got serious in the following years while the couple dated in secret, and on Nov. 1, 2003, the Spanish royal family shocked the country by announcing the prince's engagement to Letizia. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! The new husband and wife couldn't have been happier as they beamed broadly for their official wedding photos. Over the years, the couple have shared some very sweet PDA moments like embracing each other atthe 25th Copa del Rey in 2006and some playful scenes at theRed Cross Fundraising Dayin 2012. Queen Letizia of Spain and her husband King Felipe met those who were evacuated after a volcanic eruption on Le Palma swallowed hundreds of homes, Letizia, 49, was shocked as she discussed the erupting volcano, which yesterday entered a 'new explosive phase', La Palma's volcano continued spewing lava, ash and toxic gases overnight after scientists warned it has entered a 'new explosive phase'. RELATED:Queen Letizia is a polka-dot dream in the prettiest pastel dress. Describing the moment the volcano erupted on Sunday afternoon, she said: 'I honestly have never in my entire life felt so terrified. Take a look back at their romantic wedding held at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral. Harper's BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Other royals spotted walking into the chapel were Princess Catherine of Serbia, Margareta of Romania and Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy. The king and queen stand alongside each other as they visit the Central Academy of Defense. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In a true Cinderella story, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano of Spain was born into a working middle-class family before marrying royalty in the early 2000s. She met husband Pedro - a chef - 15 years ago, and the couple live with his mother in the house that she grew up in. By The collar, like the edging of the rest of the dress, was picked out with heavy white embroidery depicting the fleur de lys and ears of wheat details from the Prince of Asturias crest. 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