Queen Letizia of Spain

Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was born on 15 September 1972 at Miñor Sanatorium in Oviedo, Asturias,{{cite web |url=https://www.elcomercio.es/politica/201406/19/letizia-ortiz-reina-espana-20140619125541.html |title=Letizia Ortiz, Reina de España |publisher=El Comercio |first=Leticia |last=Álvarez |date=19 June 2014 |access-date=29 March 2021 |language=es |archive-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624034251/http://www.elcomercio.es/politica/201406/19/letizia-ortiz-reina-espana-20140619125541.html |url-status=live}} the eldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez, a journalist, and his first wife, María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, a chief registered nurse and hospital union representative with a bachelor's degree in art history.{{cite web |language=es |url=http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/familias/pagina6.asp |title=Paloma Rocasolano, enlace sindical |publisher=Diario de Navarra |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216024655/http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/familias/pagina6.asp |archive-date=16 February 2007}} She has two younger sisters, Telma (born 1973) and Érika (1975–2007). Érika committed suicide by an intentional drug overdose while Letizia was pregnant with her second child.{{cite news |language=es |url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/muerte/ingestion/pastillas/elpepuesp/20070209elpepinac_31/Tes |title=Una muerte por ingestión de pastillas |edition=impresa |newspaper=El País |date=9 February 2007 |access-date=14 April 2011 |archive-date=6 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206114450/http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/muerte/ingestion/pastillas/elpepuesp/20070209elpepinac_31/Tes |url-status=live}}

Ortiz's parents divorced in 1999 and her father remarried in Madrid on 18 March 2004 to fellow journalist Ana Togores.{{cite web |language=es |url=http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/familias/pagina5.asp |title=Jesús Ortiz, el discreto consuegro del Rey |publisher=Diario de Navarra |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070522192128/http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/familias/pagina5.asp |archive-date=22 May 2007}}{{cite web |title=Princess Letizia, Spain |url=http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm |website=womenfitness.net |access-date=23 February 2015 |quote=Her parents divorced in 1999 and her father remarried ... in Madrid on 18 March 2004 to fellow journalist Ana Togores N, born ca. 1955 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303021805/http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm |url-status=live}}

Ortiz's paternal grandparents were José Luis Ortiz Velasco (1923–2005), a commercial employee at Olivetti,{{cite web |url=http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=181905 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729073851/http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=181905 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Jesús Ortiz: "Como abuelo me siento emocionado" |publisher=El Periódico de Aragón |language=es}} and María del Carmen "Menchu" Álvarez del Valle (1928–2021), a radio broadcaster in Asturias for over 40 years. Her maternal grandfather was Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho (1918–2015), a mechanic and cab driver in Madrid for over 20 years who was of French and Occitan origin.{{cite news |url=http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2008/663/1214690414.html|title=Birth date of her maternal grandfather|language=es |newspaper=El Mundo |access-date=15 September 2012 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223113909/http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2008/663/1214690414.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.es/casa-del-rey/reina-letizia/20150728/abci-muere-abuelo-reina-letizia-201507280946.html |title=Muere el abuelo materno de la Reina Letizia |language=es |newspaper=ABC |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234155/https://www.abc.es/casa-del-rey/reina-letizia/20150728/abci-muere-abuelo-reina-letizia-201507280946.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Princess Letizia of Spain |url=http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm |website=Womenfitness.net |access-date=27 February 2016 |quote=Her maternal grandparents are Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho (Madrid, 21 July 1918 –), a mechanic and a cab driver in Madrid for over 20 years, and half-Filipino wife (m. 1950) Enriqueta Rodríguez Figueredo (Oviedo, 2 March 1919 – Madrid, 22 June 2008); by her maternal grandfather she (Letizia) is of French and Occitan origin |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303021805/http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm |url-status=live}} Her maternal grandmother, Enriqueta Rodríguez Figueredo (1919–2008), was a Filipina of Spanish descent.{{cite web |title=A Filipino in the palace? |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/lifestyle/151155/a-filipino-in-the-palace-.html |website=manilastandardtoday.com |access-date=27 February 2016 |quote=Through her maternal grandmother, Enriqueta Rodriguez Figueredo, is half Filipino. Letizia's Filipino connection is merely geographical. To understand this, we must remember that during colonial times, there was a caste system. Native Filipinos (those of pure Austronesian ancestry) were called indio. The label "Filipino" was reserved for the insulares, or people of pure Spanish descent born in the Philippines ... By her maternal grandfather, Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho, she is of French and Occitan origin |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305104737/http://manilastandardtoday.com/lifestyle/151155/a-filipino-in-the-palace-.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2024/09/04/2382794/filipino-identity-and-spanish-citizenship |title=Filipino Identity and Spanish citizenship |date=24 September 2024 |website=philstar.com}}{{cite web |url=http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2008/663/1214690414.html |date=2008 |title=Birth date of her maternal grandmother |language=es |newspaper=El Mundo |access-date=15 September 2012 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223113909/http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2008/663/1214690414.html |url-status=live}}

Several studies have been conducted to try to determine the queen's family genealogy. British genealogists have provided evidence that through her mother's Rocasolano lineage, Ortiz descends from Astorg Roquesoulane, a 16th-century woman who died in 1564, and her coat of arms incorporates the arms of the Rocasolano family.{{in lang|es}} Armas de Doña Letizia, Revista Internacional de Protocolo, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}, Number 33, 2004, pp. 64–65 A French genealogist found evidence that through her mother's Rocasolano lineage, Ortiz is a 9th cousin of French singer and actress Anny Flore.{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/121900070 |title=Parentèle Roquesoulane |date=January 2024 |last1=Caron |first1=François}} Other reports have suggested, and remain unproven, that on her paternal grandfather's side, she is a descendant of an untitled family descended from medieval nobility who served as constables of Castile.{{cite news |last1=Kenny |first1=Mary |title=How the younger breed of Royals is moving centre stage |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/how-the-younger-breed-of-royals-is-moving-centre-stage-30494240.html |publisher=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=23 February 2016 |quote=... on her paternal grandfather's side she is a descendant of an untitled family descended from mediaeval nobility who served as Constables of Castile... |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112151/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/how-the-younger-breed-of-royals-is-moving-centre-stage-30494240.html |url-status=live}}

Ortiz attended La Gesta School in Oviedo, before her family moved to Rivas-Vaciamadrid{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/11/03/espana/1067814002_850215.html |title=La vida desconocida de una cara muy popular |last=Cuartas |first=Javier |newspaper=El País |date=2 November 2003 |language=es |access-date=15 July 2017 |location=Madrid |archive-date=19 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119095304/https://elpais.com/diario/2003/11/03/espana/1067814002_850215.html |url-status=live}} near Madrid, where she attended the Ramiro de Maeztu High School.[http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/novios/pagina7.aspDiariodeNavarra.es – El traslado de su familia a Madrid marcó la dirección de su vida]{{dead link|date=September 2012}}{{cbignore}} She completed a bachelor's degree in journalism, at the Complutense University of Madrid, as well as a master's degree in audiovisual journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.[http://www.casareal.es/ingles/sar_letizia/index.html The Royal Household of His Majesty the King – Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708220716/http://www.casareal.es/ingles/sar_letizia/index.html |date=8 July 2006 }}

During her studies, Ortiz worked for the Asturian daily newspaper La Nueva España and later for the newspaper ABC and the national news agency EFE. After completing her master's degree, she travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico, where she worked at the newspaper Siglo 21 and began work toward a PhD. She did not, however, complete her doctoral thesis because she returned to Spain.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/misc/newsid_3702000/3702079.stm |title=Letizia y México: otra historia de amor|publisher=BBC |date=12 May 2004 |access-date=3 May 2018 |language=es |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201053621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/misc/newsid_3702000/3702079.stm |url-status=live}} After returning to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of the economic channel Bloomberg before moving to the news network CNN+.

In 2000, Ortiz moved to TVE, where she started working for the news channel 24 Horas. In 2002, she anchored the weekly news report programme Informe Semanal and later the daily morning news programme Telediario Matinal on TVE 1. In August 2003, a few months before her engagement to Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Ortiz was promoted to anchor of the TVE daily evening news programme Telediario 2, the most viewed newscast in Spain.{{cite web |title=Letizia, una reina que presentó el Telediario y enseñó a utilizar el Euro Leer más - Letizia, una reina que presentó el Telediario y enseñó a utilizar el Euro |url=http://ecoteuve.eleconomista.es/ecoteuve/television/noticias/5827501/06/14/Letizia-una-reina-que-presento-el-Telediario-y-enseno-a-utilizar-el-Euro.html#.Kku8p9mevxgOPp6 |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-date=15 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015061542/http://ecoteuve.eleconomista.es/ecoteuve/television/noticias/5827501/06/14/Letizia-una-reina-que-presento-el-Telediario-y-enseno-a-utilizar-el-Euro.html#.Kku8p9mevxgOPp6 |url-status=live}}

In 2000, she reported from Washington, D.C., on the presidential elections. In September 2001, she broadcast live from Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks in New York and in 2003, she filed reports from Iraq following the war.{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Raquel |title=Former journalist Letizia Ortiz becomes Spain's first commoner queen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/spain-king-queen-idINKBN0EU0VA20140619 |access-date=8 October 2014 |publisher=Reuters |date=19 June 2014 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144640/https://www.reuters.com/article/spain-king-queen-idINKBN0EU0VA20140619 |url-status=live}} In 2002 she sent several reports from Galicia in northern Spain following the ecological disaster when the oil tanker Prestige sank.{{cite news |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/meet-letizia-ortiz-spain-s-new-middle-class-queen-1.1861042 |title=Meet Letizia Ortiz - Spain's new "middle-class Queen" |website=ctvnews.ca |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=9 October 2014 |author=DeClerq, Katherine |archive-date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014235218/http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/meet-letizia-ortiz-spain-s-new-middle-class-queen-1.1861042 |url-status=live}}

In the late 1980s, Letizia met Alonso Guerrero Pérez (b. 1962), a school teacher – 10 years older than her – who taught Spanish language and literature at the Ramiro de Maeztu Institute of Madrid, where she studied.{{Cite web |last=Soriano |first=Por Eveling Díaz |date=22 May 2024 |title=La otra boda de Letizia antes de Felipe - civil y con su profesor del instituto |url=https://www.infobae.com/espana/2024/05/22/la-otra-boda-de-letizia-antes-de-felipe-civil-y-con-su-profesor-del-instituto/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=infobae |language=es}} After a 10-year courtship, on 7 August 1998 the couple married in a civil ceremony at the City Council of Almendralejo (Badajoz), municipality of origin of Guerrero.{{cite web |url=http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/novios/pagina6.asp |title=Prefiere los pantalones a la falda |publisher=Diario de Navarra |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014202926/http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/novios/pagina6.asp |archive-date=14 October 2014}} Letizia was 26 years old and Alonso 36. Ninety guests attended the ceremony.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2018 |title=Los secretos de la boda de Letizia y Alonso Guerrero que el escritor no revela en su novela |url=https://www.elespanol.com/corazon/casas-reales/20180303/secretos-letizia-alonso-guerrero-escritor-no-revela/288972052_0.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=elespanol.com |language=es}} The marriage ended by divorce in 1999. After the divorce, Letizia moved to a small apartment located in the Madrid district of Vicálvaro, which she later gave to her sister Erika and where she lived until her death in 2007.{{Cite web |last=Urcelay |first=Por Estibaliz |date=20 May 2024 |title=El piso de soltera donde vivió la reina Letizia en Madrid - de 85 m² y al sur de la capital |url=https://www.infobae.com/espana/2024/05/20/el-piso-de-soltera-donde-vivio-la-reina-letizia-en-madrid-de-85-m-y-al-sur-de-la-capital/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=infobae.com |language=es}}

{{Main|Wedding of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz}}

File:Order of the Civil Merit Ceremony. 5th Felipe VI Reign Anniversary 02 (cropped).jpg

On 1 November 2003, to the surprise of many, the Royal Household announced Ortiz's engagement to Prince Felipe. Afterwards, she moved to live in a wing of the Zarzuela Palace until the day of her wedding.{{cite web |url=http://www.el-mundo.es/especiales/2004/04/espana/bodareal/escenario_palaciozarzuela.html |title=Boda Real – Palacio de la Zarzuela |publisher=El Mundo |access-date=12 July 2006 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030233/http://www.el-mundo.es/especiales/2004/04/espana/bodareal/escenario_palaciozarzuela.html |url-status=live}} The Prince of Asturias had proposed to her with a 16-baguette diamond engagement ring with a white gold trim.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2024 |title=El anillo de compromiso y la alianza de boda - las joyas desaparecidas de la reina Letizia y su enigmática historia |url=https://www.elespanol.com/mujer/royals/20240522/anillo-compromiso-alianza-boda-joyas-desaparecidas-reina-letizia-enigmatica-historia/855914588_0.html |access-date=30 December 2024 |website=elespanol.com |language=es}} She marked the occasion by giving him white gold and sapphire cufflinks and a classic book.{{Cite web |last=Baciero |first=César Andrés |date=5 November 2023 |title=Hace 20 años - la historia de los regalos de pedida de Felipe de Borbón y Letizia Ortiz |url=https://www.revistavanityfair.es/articulos/regalos-de-pedida-de-felipe-de-borbon-y-letizia-ortiz |access-date=30 December 2024 |publisher=Vanity Fair |language=es}}

The wedding took place on 22 May 2004 in the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/1462574/Fiesta-spirit-returns-for-royal-wedding.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/1462574/Fiesta-spirit-returns-for-royal-wedding.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Fiesta spirit returns for royal wedding |publisher=The Telegraph |date=22 May 2004 |access-date=16 May 2016 |author=Wilkinson, Isambard}}{{cbignore}} It was the first royal wedding in this cathedral. It had been nearly a century since the capital celebrated a royal wedding, as the prince's parents married in Athens and his sisters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, married in Seville and Barcelona respectively. Letizia's bridal gown was designed by Spanish fashion designer Manuel Pertegaz, her bridal shoes by Pura López; and the veil, a gift from Felipe to his bride, was made of off-white silk tulle and hand-embroidered with detailing.{{cite news |last1=de Luis-Orueta |first1=Fernando |title=Vestido piramidal con bordados de motivos heráldicos |url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2004/05/22/actualidad/1085213822_850215.html |access-date=4 June 2017 |publisher=El País |date=22 May 2004 |language=es |archive-date=7 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207105447/https://elpais.com/elpais/2004/05/22/actualidad/1085213822_850215.html |url-status=live}} As Letizia's previous marriage involved only a civil ceremony, the Catholic Church does not consider it canonically valid and therefore did not require an annulment to proceed with a Catholic marriage to the Prince of Asturias.{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/marriage-lets-madrid-smile-again/article18283219/ |title=Marriage lets Madrid smile again |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=22 May 2004 |access-date=12 June 2016 |author=Saunders, Doug |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816152712/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/marriage-lets-madrid-smile-again/article18283219/ |url-status=live}}

Letizia and Felipe have two daughters: Leonor, Princess of Asturias, born on 31 October 2005,{{cite news |title=Spain's future queen gives birth |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4391560.stm|access-date=15 May 2016 |publisher=BBC |date=31 October 2005 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617144427/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4391560.stm |url-status=live}} and Infanta Sofía, born on 29 April 2007. They were born in the Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.{{cite news |title=Spanish crown princess has second daughter |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-royals-baby-idUSL2914002020070430 |access-date=15 May 2016 |publisher=Reuters |date=29 April 2007 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604234115/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-royals-baby-idUSL2914002020070430 |url-status=live}}

File:Pascua Militar 2.jpg and Queen Sofía, with the Prince and Princess of Asturias, at the 2009 Pascua Militar]]

File:Visita oficial de los Príncipes de Asturias (8057645321).jpg

After becoming Princess of Asturias, Letizia automatically joined the royal family and moved her residence to the Prince's Pavilion ({{Langx|es|Pabellón del Principe}}), Felipe's private residence, near to the Zarzuela Palace (the private and work residence of the royal family).{{Cite web |date=15 September 2022 |title=La revolución de Letizia |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/casa-real/2022/09/15/631ef6f6e4d4d85a308b4588.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=elmundo.es |language=es}}

Although Letizia attended some specific events of the royal family before the wedding (such as the state funeral for the 2004 Madrid train bombings victims{{Cite web |date=24 March 2004 |title=Solemne funeral por las víctimas del 11-M en La Almudena |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/abci-solemne-funeral-victimas-almudena-200403240300-962611908532_noticia.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=abc.es |language=es}} or the wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson{{Cite web |last=Odriozola |first=Amaia |title=Los 50 vestidos de gala más impactantes que ha llevado Letizia - de la falda-mantón al traje "rojo español" |url=https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/reina-letizia/galerias/reina-letizia-vestidos-de-gala/12810 |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=Vanity Fair |language=es}}), she immediately joined in the duties of her husband representing her father-in-law. Five days after her wedding, Letizia traveled with Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe and Infanta Cristina to the wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein and Princess Noor bint Asem, whick took place at the Zahran Palace.{{Cite news |date=26 May 2004 |title=Los príncipes de Asturias asisten en Jordania a su primer acto oficial tras su boda |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2004/05/26/actualidad/1085559422_850215.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=El País |language=es}} That same year, Letizia accompanied her husband on several national activities but also in international trips such us the official visits to México in July,{{Cite web |date=17 July 2004 |title=Los Príncipes de Asturias visitan México en su primer viaje a Hispanoamérica |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/abci-principes-asturias-visitan-mexico-primer-viaje-hispanoamerica-200407170300-9622600996432_noticia.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=abc.es |language=es}} Hungary in September,{{Cite web |date=7 September 2004 |title=Don Felipe y doña Letizia debutan oficialmente como Príncipes de Asturias en Europa |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2004090716411/casasreales/espanola/principes/hungria/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=hola.com |language=es}} the United States in October,{{Cite web |date=4 October 2004 |title=Los Príncipes de Asturias inician su visita oficial a Estados Unidos |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2004100416395/casasreales/espanola/principes/asturias/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=hola.com |language=es}} and Serbia in December,{{Cite web |date=20 December 2004 |title=Los Príncipes inauguran hoy la sede del Instituto Cervantes en Belgrado |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/12/20/cultura/1103524171.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=elmundo.es}} as well as receiving the president of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, and his wife, Livia Klausová, in Madrid.

In 2005, Letizia accompanied her husband to Brazil{{Cite web |date=24 February 2005 |title=Calurosa acogida del pueblo brasileño a los Príncipes de Asturias |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2005022416203/casasreales/espanola/principes/brasil/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=hola.com |language=es}} and Uruguay,{{Cite news |date=28 February 2005 |title=Los Príncipes llegan a Uruguay tras visitar Brasil |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2005/02/28/espana/1109545218_850215.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=El País |language=es}} both in February. They also travelled to Stockholm (Sweden) in April, to inaugurate a new office of the Cervantes Institute,{{Cite web |date=19 April 2005 |title=Los príncipes inauguran el nuevo centro del Cervantes en Estocolmo |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/television/2005/04/19/principes-inauguran-nuevo-centro-cervantes-estocolmo/0003_3651042.htm |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=La Voz de Galicia |language=es}} and to Japan in June, where they met the Japanese Imperial Family and to visit the Expo 2005.{{Cite web |date=2 June 2005 |title=Los Príncipes de Asturias viajan a Japón |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2005060216369/casasreales/espanola/principes/japon/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=hola.com |language=es}} Following the birth of Infanta Leonor at the end of 2005, the princess's agenda was reduced, although during the following year, in addition to her national commitments, she accompanied her husband on official trips to Portugal{{Cite news |date=9 March 2006 |title=Cavaco Silva toma posesión como presidente de Portugal |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2006/03/09/actualidad/1141858806_850215.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=El País |language=es}} and China.{{Cite web |last=20minutos |date=12 July 2006 |title=Los Príncipes visitan China |url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/140468/0/Letizia/Felipe/China/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=20minutos.es |language=es}} The second pregnancy, this time of Infanta Sofía, also prevented her from attending some activities{{Cite news |date=27 September 2006 |title=El príncipe de Asturias visitará Asturias y Washington sin doña Letizia |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2006/09/27/actualidad/1159345018_850215.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |publisher=El País |language=es}} but, in October 2006, the Royal Household announced that the Princess of Asturias would have her own official agenda, which would be compatible with that of her husband. Her first solo act as princess was the inauguration of a public school in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) on 9 October 2006.{{Cite web |date=9 October 2006 |title=La princesa Letizia estrena su propia agenda oficial |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/2006/10/09/letizia-agenda/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=hola.com |language=es}} Since then, Letizia performed regular audiences and visits focused on social issues such as children's rights, rare diseases, culture, and education.{{cite news |author=Maria G. Valdez |date=2 June 2014 |title=Who Will Be Next King, Queen of Spain? 19 Things To Know About Prince Felipe |url=http://www.latintimes.com/who-will-be-next-king-queen-spain-19-things-know-about-prince-felipe-princess-letizia-176993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010430/http://www.latintimes.com/who-will-be-next-king-queen-spain-19-things-know-about-prince-felipe-princess-letizia-176993 |archive-date=15 October 2014 |access-date=9 October 2014 |publisher=latintimes}} In this sense, in September 2010, the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) appointed her as honorary president of the Association and its scientific foundation.{{Cite web |date=24 September 2010 |title=Doña Letizia, Presidenta de Honor de la Asociación Española contra el Cáncer |url=https://www.expansion.com/2010/09/24/entorno/1285357709.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072458/https://www.expansion.com/2010/09/24/entorno/1285357709.html |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=expansion.com}}

For all this, in late 2007 her solo agenda started to grow in the number of events she performed by herself and Felipe's and Letizia's agendas became more distinct and separate, and José Manuel de Zuleta, 14th Duke of Abrantes, joined the Prince of Asturias's Secretariat as private secretary to the Princess.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2019 |title=Un general, a las órdenes de doña Letizia |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/03/13/gente/1552481510_053326.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |publisher=El País |language=es}}

According to the compilation presented by the Royal Household on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Asturias, between 22 May 2004 and 22 May 2014 they attended together more than 1,516 official engagements, while Princess Letizia attended another 190 alone. They also made 73 trips abroad together to 38 countries, while the Princess traveled abroad alone on two occasions, once to Geneva (Switzerland) to visit the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) and another to Berlin (Germany) for the presentation of the 3rd Eva Luise Köhler Research Award about rare diseases. Together with her husband, the Princess held 248 public audiences, in which they have seen more than 7,200 people, while the Princess alone held 107 audiences for 2,100 people.{{Cite web |last=Parrado |first=Álex |date=17 May 2014 |title=Una década de actos oficiales, en cifras |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2014-05-17/una-decada-en-cifras_132024/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}

File:Proclamacionfelipevi3.jpg

On 19 June 2014, Letizia became Queen of Spain with her husband's accession as Felipe VI; as such, she holds the style of Majesty.{{cite web|title=Casa de Su Majestad el Rey de España – Her Majesty the Queen Letizia |url=http://www.casareal.es/EN/FamiliaReal/ReinaLetizia/Paginas/subhome.aspx |publisher=Casa de Su Majestad el Rey |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622051105/http://www.casareal.es/EN/FamiliaReal/ReinaLetizia/Paginas/subhome.aspx |archive-date=22 June 2014 }} She is the first Spanish-born queen consort since Mercedes of Orléans, the first wife of Alfonso XII, in 1878.{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-granddaughter-of-a-taxi-driver-will-become-spains-next-queen-2014-6 |title=The Granddaughter of a Taxi Driver Will Become Spain's Next Queen |last=Silva |first=Daniel |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=9 October 2014 |publisher=businessinsider.com |agency=AFP |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016055107/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-granddaughter-of-a-taxi-driver-will-become-spains-next-queen-2014-6 |url-status=live }} She is also the first Spanish queen to have been born as a commoner. The queen consort was present when King Juan Carlos I gave his son, King Felipe VI, the sash of captain general of the Armed Forces (symbolizing the transfer of royal and military power),{{Cite news |date=2014-06-19 |title=Felipe VI Takes Over from His Father as Spain's New King |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/felipe-takes-over-from-his-father-as-spains-new-king-1403171076 |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=20 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620111425/http://online.wsj.com/articles/felipe-takes-over-from-his-father-as-spains-new-king-1403171076 |url-status=live }} as well as when Felipe swore before the Cortes Generales to fulfill his duties, protect and defend the Constitution as well as respecting the rights of the citizens and the Spanish regions.{{Cite web |first1=Laura |last1=Smith-Spark |first2=Al |last2=Goodman |first3=Steve |last3=Almasy |date=2014-06-19 |title=King Felipe VI takes over in Spain, promises to be monarch 'for new times' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/18/world/europe/spain-king-felipe-vi/index.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824061837/https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/18/world/europe/spain-king-felipe-vi/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2014-06-19 |title=King Felipe VI calls for 'new Spain' as he is sworn in |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27918094 |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-date=13 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313015131/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27918094 |url-status=live }}

Queen Letizia undertook her first solo engagement as queen on 23 June 2014 at the inauguration of the El Greco and modern painting exhibition at the Prado Museum in Madrid.{{cite news|last1=Galaz|first1=Mábel|title=La reina Letizia inicia su nueva agenda con una visita al Prado|url=http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2014/06/23/actualidad/1403548391_003513.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=El Pais|date=23 June 2014|language=es|archive-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112121445/http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2014/06/23/actualidad/1403548391_003513.html|url-status=live}} On 25 June 2014, the King ratified the Duke of Abrantes as her private secretary.{{Cite web |last=Higuera |first=Raoul |date=2014-06-27 |title=José Manuel Zuleta, la nueva mano derecha de la Reina doña Letizia |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2014-06-27/jose-manuel-zuleta-la-nueva-mano-derecha-y-amigo-de-la-reina-letizia_153056/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819071624/https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2014-06-27/jose-manuel-zuleta-la-nueva-mano-derecha-y-amigo-de-la-reina-letizia_153056/ |url-status=live }} In their first overseas trip as king and queen, Felipe and Letizia met Pope Francis on 30 June 2014, in the Apostolic Palace.{{Cite news |last=Junquera |first=Natalia |date=2014-06-29 |title=La primera visita de los Reyes al extranjero se inicia en el Vaticano |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2014/06/29/actualidad/1404067642_100838.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072459/https://elpais.com/politica/2014/06/29/actualidad/1404067642_100838.html |url-status=live }} They later met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Mgsr. Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States. The visit followed one by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia on 28 April.{{cite news|title=Comunicato della Sala Stampa: Udienza alle Loro Maestà il Re Felipe VI e la Regina Letizia di Spagna, 30.06.2014|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/06/30/0486/01091.html|publisher=Vatican City|date=30 June 2014|language=it|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008181633/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/06/30/0486/01091.html|url-status=live}}

File:Presidenta Bachelet ofreció una recepción a Sus Majestades los Reyes de España, autoridades y personalidades españolas (15516055950).jpg, gave during her state visit to Spain]]

In September 2014, Letizia chaired the Royal Board on Disability, a government agency protected by the Crown whose president is the consort of the reigning monarch.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-09 |title=Doña Letizia preside la reunión del Consejo del Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad |url=https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/cooperacion-desarrollo/noticia-reina-dona-letizia-preside-primera-vez-reunion-consejo-real-patronato-discapacidad-20140909181056.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |publisher=Europa Press |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824083622/https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/cooperacion-desarrollo/noticia-reina-dona-letizia-preside-primera-vez-reunion-consejo-real-patronato-discapacidad-20140909181056.html |url-status=live }} On 25 October 2014, she attended the delivery ceremony of the Prince of Asturias Awards, the last with this name. From 2015 onwards, they were renamed "Princess of Asturias Awards" with Leonor, Princess of Asturias as their president.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-24 |title=Premios Príncipe de Asturias 2014 |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/24/album/1414153710_205465.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072458/https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/24/album/1414153710_205465.html |url-status=live }} On 27 October 2014, she travelled to Vienna, Austria to inaugurate an exhibition about Spanish painter Diego Velázquez, which marked her first international solo visit.{{Cite news |last=Galaz |first=Mábel |date=2014-10-27 |title=Debú intenacional en solitario de la reina Letizia |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/27/estilo/1414424232_211816.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824075028/https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/27/estilo/1414424232_211816.html |url-status=live }} There, she met the Austrian president Heinz Fischer and his wife, Margit Fischer.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-27 |title=Doña Letizia inaugura en Viena la mayor muestra sobre Velázquez en Europa Central |url=https://www.hoy.es/culturas/201410/27/dona-letizia-inaugura-viena-20141027155456-rc.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Hoy |language=es-ES |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226142305/https://www.hoy.es/culturas/201410/27/dona-letizia-inaugura-viena-20141027155456-rc.html |url-status=live }} It was not her last solo foreign visit that year, visiting Portugal in November for the Closing Ceremony of the 2nd Ibero-American Meeting on Rare Diseases{{Cite news |last=Barrio |first=Javier Martín del |date=2014-11-07 |title=La reina Letizia clausura en Portugal el congreso de enfermedades raras |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2014/11/07/actualidad/1415370417_937889.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824075029/https://elpais.com/politica/2014/11/07/actualidad/1415370417_937889.html |url-status=live }} and Italy to attend the Second International Conference on Nutrition, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, where she delivered the main speech.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In her speech, she praised the role of women in the fight against hunger, described as "unacceptable" that more than 850 million people in the world suffer from hunger and demanded that the food industry balance its "commercial interests" with its "responsibility" to eradicate obesity.{{Cite news |last=Ordaz |first=Pablo |date=2014-11-20 |title=La reina Letizia reivindica el papel de la mujer contra el hambre |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/11/20/estilo/1416486813_817166.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824075031/https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/11/20/estilo/1416486813_817166.html |url-status=live }} In December 2014, she chaired the general meeting of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, an association that she has chaired since 2010 and which she continues to do as queen.{{Cite web |last=EP |date=2014-12-10 |title=La Reina Letizia se apunta al look 'working girl' |url=https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/vida-y-estilo/moda-belleza/2014/12/10/reina-letizia-apunta-look-working-24686882.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=La Opinión de A Coruña |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072458/https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/vida-y-estilo/moda-belleza/2014/12/10/reina-letizia-apunta-look-working-24686882.html |url-status=live }}

File:Reina Letizia de España visita Jiquilisco (18179468635).jpg, El Salvador|230x230px]]

During 2015, Letizia continued giving support to social causes related to relevant diseases, attending events and meetings of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases{{Cite web |last=EFE |date=2015-01-28 |title=Queen Letizia presides over meeting on rare diseases |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/sdhoy-queen-letizia-presides-over-meeting-on-rare-2015jan28-story.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune en Español |language=es-US |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824083623/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/sdhoy-queen-letizia-presides-over-meeting-on-rare-2015jan28-story.html |url-status=live }} and the Spanish Red Cross,{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} among others. The King and Queen had planned their first state visit for March 2015, to France. However, on 24 March 2015 they had to postponed the visit due to the pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525 deliberately crashing the plane in the French Alps,{{Cite web |last1=Galaz |first1=Mábel |last2=País |first2=El |date=2015-03-24 |title=Spanish king suspends France visit in wake of Germanwings air crash |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/03/24/inenglish/1427201354_082004.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090930/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/03/24/inenglish/1427201354_082004.html |url-status=live }} killing 150 people, including 51 Spaniards.{{Cite news |date=2015-03-25 |title=Spain raises Spanish death toll on Germanwings flight to 51 |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-france-crash-casualties-idUKKBN0ML1PG20150325 |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090931/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-france-crash-casualties-idUKKBN0ML1PG20150325 |url-status=live }} They resumed the state visit on early June, being welcomed by French president François Hollande.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-03 |title=Spanish royal couple resume state visit to France |url=https://www.euronews.com/2015/06/03/spanish-royal-couple-resume-state-visit-to-france |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090930/https://www.euronews.com/2015/06/03/spanish-royal-couple-resume-state-visit-to-france |url-status=live }} They also met the prime minister, Manuel Valls, the president of the French Senate, Gérard Larcher, the president of the National Assembly, Claude Bartolone and the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.{{Cite web |title=Visita de Estado a Francia de los Reyes de España (02/06/15) |url=https://es.ambafrance.org/Visita-de-Estado-a-Francia-de-los-Reyes-de-Espana |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Ambassade de France en Espagne / Embajada de Francia en España |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090928/https://es.ambafrance.org/Visita-de-Estado-a-Francia-de-los-Reyes-de-Espana |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2015-06-06 |title=Los Reyes Felipe y Letizia conquistan la República francesa |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/06/06/5571d4a746163fa43f8b458b.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090931/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/06/06/5571d4a746163fa43f8b458b.html |url-status=live }} On 13 April 2015, Queen Letizia visited the Artillery Academy, which marked her first solo military event.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-13 |title=La Reina Letizia preside su primer acto militar en la Academia de Artillería |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20150413/54429586722/la-reina-letizia-preside-su-primer-acto-militar-en-la-academia-de-artilleria.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094846/https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20150413/54429586722/la-reina-letizia-preside-su-primer-acto-militar-en-la-academia-de-artilleria.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Tiburcio |first=Núria |date=2015-04-13 |title=Doña Letizia se calza unos Prada para su primer acto en solitario con los militares |url=https://blogs.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/reina-letizia/2015-04-13/dona-letizia-se-calza-unos-prada-para-su-primer-acto-en-solitario-con-los-militares_758317/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094853/https://blogs.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/reina-letizia/2015-04-13/dona-letizia-se-calza-unos-prada-para-su-primer-acto-en-solitario-con-los-militares_758317/ |url-status=live }} A few days later, she travelled with her husband to Copenhagen, Denmark, to commemorate the 75th birthday of Queen Margrethe II.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} From 25 to 28 of May 2015, Letizia made her first international cooperation visit to Honduras and El Salvador.{{Cite news |last=Quesada |first=Juan Diego |date=2015-05-26 |title=La Reina llega a Honduras en su primer viaje oficial en solitario |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2015/05/26/actualidad/1432612792_716789.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094846/https://elpais.com/internacional/2015/05/26/actualidad/1432612792_716789.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2015, Letizia was named Special Ambassador for Nutrition for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.{{Cite web |title=Queen Letizia of Spain named FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition |url=https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/Queen-Letizia-of-Spain-named-FAO-Special-Ambassador-for-Nutrition/en |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Newsroom |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824083622/https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/Queen-Letizia-of-Spain-named-FAO-Special-Ambassador-for-Nutrition/en |url-status=live }} Late this month, after travelling to France, she and the King made a state visit to México, their first visit to the Americas as Spain's sovereigns.{{Cite web |title=King and Queen of Spain will visit Zacatecas |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulo/english/2015/06/21/king-and-queen-spain-will-visit-zacatecas/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=El Universal |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094846/https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulo/english/2015/06/21/king-and-queen-spain-will-visit-zacatecas/ |url-status=live }} They met the Mexican president, Enrique Peña Nieto, the First Lady, Angélica Rivera, the head of México City, Miguel Ángel Mancera and the leaders of the Congress of the Union.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-29 |title=Los reyes de España llegan a México para su primera visita de Estado |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2015/06/29/los-reyes-de-espana-llegan-a-mexico-para-su-primera-visita-de-estado/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=CNN |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824094846/https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2015/06/29/los-reyes-de-espana-llegan-a-mexico-para-su-primera-visita-de-estado/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2015-07-01 |title=Los Reyes continúan dando la mejor imagen de España en la segunda jornada de su viaje de Estado a México |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2015070179685/reyes-felipe-letizia-mexico-segunda-jornada/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=es |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929213959/https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2015070179685/reyes-felipe-letizia-mexico-segunda-jornada/ |url-status=live }} In late July 2015, she traveled alone to Milan, Italy for the Expo 2015.{{Cite web |title=FAO - News Article: Queen Letizia of Spain visits Expo Milan |url=https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/317221/icode/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.fao.org |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101633/https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/317221/icode/ |url-status=live }} From 14 to 19 September 2015, the King and Queen made an official visit to the United States, where they visited American president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, and the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.{{Cite news |date=2015-09-16 |title=Los Reyes en Estados Un.idos |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/09/15/album/1442339177_524450.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101616/https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/09/15/album/1442339177_524450.html |url-status=live }} They later traveled to Louisiana, where they were received by soldiers with the traditional uniform of the Spanish Louisiana and to Virginia, to visit Mount Vernon. In October 2015, she traveled alone to Düsseldorf, Germany, to inaugurate an exhibition about Spanish painter Zurbarán.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-09 |title=La Reina 'lleva' a Zurbarán a Alemania |url=https://www.elmundo.es/cultura/2015/10/09/56180acc22601dc5068b45a2.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101615/https://www.elmundo.es/cultura/2015/10/09/56180acc22601dc5068b45a2.html |url-status=live }} That month, she also accompanied King Felipe to the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony, the first since Leonor assumed as Princess of Asturias.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-23 |title=Los Premios Princesa de Asturias 2015 y los últimos Príncipes |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/10/23/562a1408e2704ece728b45d6.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101614/https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/10/23/562a1408e2704ece728b45d6.html |url-status=live }} At the end of 2015, the Queen attended two funerals. First, in November, she attended, with the rest of the Royal Family, the funeral of Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria in El Escorial.{{Cite news |date=2015-10-08 |title=La familia del Rey al completo, en el funeral del duque de Calabria |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/10/08/album/1444306297_801588.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101615/https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/10/08/album/1444306297_801588.html |url-status=live }} Second, in December, she attended the funeral of Spanish police officers killed in the 2015 Spanish Embassy attack in Kabul.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-15 |title=King Felipe presides at funeral of police officers killed in Afghanistan |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/12/15/inenglish/1450193304_546648.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824101614/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/12/15/inenglish/1450193304_546648.html |url-status=live }}

2016 was a low-key year for the Royal Family. The electoral process started with the 2015 general election{{Cite news |date=2015-12-21 |title=Spain election: Political uncertainty after split result |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35147266 |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35147266 |url-status=live }} and followed by the 2016 general election{{Cite web |last=Garea |first=Fernando |date=2016-05-03 |title=Spanish king signs decree calling fresh election for June 26 |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2016/05/03/inenglish/1462265896_327547.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2016/05/03/inenglish/1462265896_327547.html |url-status=live }} made it difficult for the Crown to develop a normal agenda. Letizia began 2016 by receiving different social entities in audience, such as the Roma Secretariat Foundation,{{Cite web |date=2016-01-08 |title=La Reina Letizia recibe a la Fundación Secretariado Gitano y Plataforma de Infancia |url=https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/cooperacion-desarrollo/noticia-reina-letizia-recibe-fundacion-secretariado-gitano-plataforma-infancia-conocer-mejor-actividad-20160108181858.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |publisher=Europa Press |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/cooperacion-desarrollo/noticia-reina-letizia-recibe-fundacion-secretariado-gitano-plataforma-infancia-conocer-mejor-actividad-20160108181858.html |url-status=live }} the Association of Children's Organizations of Spain, the Association for Specific Language Disorder of Madrid{{Cite web |date=2016-01-26 |title=La Reina y el lenguaje que todos entienden |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2016012683391/reina-letizia-audiencia-atelma/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161945/https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2016012683391/reina-letizia-audiencia-atelma/ |url-status=live }} and the Spanish Nutrition Foundation,{{Cite web |date=2016-01-27 |title=La imagen más cariñosa de la Reina Letizia con los más pequeños |url=https://www.europapress.es/chance/realeza/noticia-imagen-mas-carinosa-reina-letizia-mas-pequenos-20160127091955.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |publisher=Europa Press |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://www.europapress.es/chance/realeza/noticia-imagen-mas-carinosa-reina-letizia-mas-pequenos-20160127091955.html |url-status=live }} which informed the Queen about their goals, activity and projects.

In March 2016, leaked text messages between Letizia and businessman Javier López Madrid created controversy. Together with other executives and board members of the Caja Madrid and Bankia financial group, Madrid had been accused of corruption. In October 2014, Letizia pledged her support for him, texting "We know who you are and you know who we are. We know each other, like each other, respect each other. To hell with the rest. Kisses yoga mate (miss you!!!)". Felipe also joined in, texting "We do indeed!" The newspaper El Diario later published these texts. A palace official subsequently stated that the King and Queen were no longer friends with López Madrid due to his legal issues.{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Spain's monarchy drawn into banking scandal |work=The Guardian |date=9 March 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/spains-monarchy-banking-scandal-queen-letizia |access-date=4 December 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106185213/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/spains-monarchy-banking-scandal-queen-letizia |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/19/texting-scandal-rocks-spain-s-king-and-queen.html|last=Sykes|first=Tom|title=Texting Scandal Rocks Spain's King and Queen|newspaper=Daily Beast|date=19 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=29 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329112026/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/19/texting-scandal-rocks-spain-s-king-and-queen.html|url-status=live}} Also in March, Letizia made the first of the two international trips she had in 2016. She accompanied King Felipe to Puerto Rico, in order to chair the 7th International Congress of the Spanish Language.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} On 22 April 2016, the King and Queen gave audience to Spanish figure skater Javier Fernández after winning the 2016 World Championship (his second consecutive title).{{Cite web |date=2016-12-06 |title=Eyes of Spain on Javier Fernandez as he builds for last Olympic chance |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/javier-fernandez-grand-prix-final-figure-skating |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/javier-fernandez-grand-prix-final-figure-skating |url-status=live }} To finish the year, in late November 2016, the King and Queen made a state visit to Portugal, where they met Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister António Costa, among others.{{Cite news |last=Alberola |first=Miquel |date=2016-11-28 |title=Los Reyes viajan a Portugal en su primer viaje de Estado con el nuevo Gobierno |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2016/11/28/actualidad/1480323183_172446.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824152049/https://elpais.com/politica/2016/11/28/actualidad/1480323183_172446.html |url-status=live }} While the King was fulfilling his constitutional obligations before the Portuguese authorities, the Queen met with the president of the Portuguese League Against Cancer, Víctor Veloso.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-28 |title=Cena de gala en Portugal en honor a don Felipe y doña Letizia |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2016112890031/reyes-espana-cena-gala-portugal/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161948/https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/2016112890031/reyes-espana-cena-gala-portugal/ |url-status=live }}File:Awada Letizia 4.jpg, First Lady of Argentina, in 2017]]

2017 started very like the past year, with Letizia meeting some relevant social organizations that she chaired. In February, both the King and Queen welcomed important foreign leaders at the Royal Palace of Zarzuela, such as the German president Joachim Gauck and his wife, Gerhild Radtke,{{Cite web |date=2017-02-01 |title=Los Reyes almuerzan con el presidente de Alemania |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/casa-real/abci-reyes-almuerzan-presidente-alemania-201702011713_noticia.html |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Diario ABC |language=es |archive-date=29 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129233014/http://www.abc.es/espana/casa-real/abci-reyes-almuerzan-presidente-alemania-201702011713_noticia.html |url-status=live }} and the Hungarian president János Áder and his wife, Anita Herczegh.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-17 |title=Los reyes conocen la sentencia del caso Nóos en el museo Thyssen junto al presidente húngaro |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2017/02/17/reyes-conocen-sentencia-noos-museo-thyssen-junto-presidente-hungaro/00031487331633948105373.htm |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=La Voz de Galicia |language=es |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825090655/https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2017/02/17/reyes-conocen-sentencia-noos-museo-thyssen-junto-presidente-hungaro/00031487331633948105373.htm |url-status=live }} Precisely, in an event with these last guests, the royals learned the initial judicial ruling that declared Iñaki Urdangarin, the King's brother-in-law, guilty of several corruption crimes.{{Cite news |date=2017-02-17 |title=Spain King's Brother-in-Law Convicted as Princess Is Cleared |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-17/spanish-king-s-brother-in-law-convicted-as-princess-is-cleared |access-date=2023-08-25 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312142738/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-17/spanish-king-s-brother-in-law-convicted-as-princess-is-cleared |url-status=live }} The King's sister, Infanta Cristina, was cleared of all crimes. To finish the month, Felipe and Letizia welcomed the Argentine president, Mauricio Macri, and the First Lady, Juliana Awada, during their state visit to Spain.{{Cite web |last=Cué |first=Carlos E. |date=2017-02-22 |title=Argentina's President Macri begins state visit to Spain |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2017/02/22/inenglish/1487768466_658025.html |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825090644/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2017/02/22/inenglish/1487768466_658025.html |url-status=live }}

On 23 March 2017, she made her first solo trip of the year to Porto, Portugal, to attend the 7th Conference on Tobacco or Health. There, she met the Portuguese president, the European Commissioner for Health and Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, the minister of Health of Portugal, Adalberto Campos Fernandes, and the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira.{{Cite web |last=CMP |date=2017-03-23 |title=The Queen of Spain, Letizia Ortiz, chairs the opening ceremony of the 7th ECTOH |url=https://www.porto.pt/en/news/the_queen_of_spain_letizia_ortiz_chairs_the_opening_ceremony_of_the_7th_ectoh/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=www.porto.pt |language=pt |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825091644/https://www.porto.pt/en/news/the_queen_of_spain_letizia_ortiz_chairs_the_opening_ceremony_of_the_7th_ectoh |url-status=live }} In April 2017, Queen Letizia and King Felipe made a state visit to Japan.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} At the end of the year, they travelled to the Netherlands to celebrate the 50th birthday of Willem-Alexander.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In May, they offered a lunch to Jordanian Princess Muna Al Hussein{{Cite web |date=2017-05-25 |title=Los Reyes almuerzan con la Princesa Muna de Jordania |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/casa-real/abci-reyes-almuerzan-princesa-muna-jordania-201705251830_noticia.html |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Diario ABC |language=es |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706023501/https://www.abc.es/espana/casa-real/abci-reyes-almuerzan-princesa-muna-jordania-201705251830_noticia.html |url-status=live }} and to the Portuguese president. They also celebrated, along with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, the 40th anniversary of the Reina Sofía Foundation and the 10th anniversary of the Alzheimer Centre of the Foundation.{{Cite web |last=BARCELONA |first=EL PERIÓDICO / |date=2017-05-22 |title=Los Reyes celebran el 40º aniversario de la Fundación Reina Sofía |url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/gente/20170522/los-reyes-celebran-40-aniversario-fundacion-reina-sofia-6053371 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=elperiodico |language=es |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825095752/https://www.elperiodico.com/es/gente/20170522/los-reyes-celebran-40-aniversario-fundacion-reina-sofia-6053371 |url-status=live }} In mid-July 2017, the Spanish royals made a state visit to the United Kingdom, where they met with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.{{Cite news |date=2017-07-12 |title=Spain's royals on state visit to Britain to cement ties before Brexit |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-spain-idUSKBN19X10F |access-date=2023-08-25 |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825095752/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-spain-idUSKBN19X10F |url-status=live }} They also reunited with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles and Camila.{{Cite web |last=Alberola |first=Miquel |date=2017-07-12 |title=Spain's King Felipe calls for Gibraltar "dialogue" during parliament speech |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2017/07/12/inenglish/1499871867_300878.html |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825095752/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2017/07/12/inenglish/1499871867_300878.html |url-status=live }}

On 31 October 2018, the Queen witnessed the first public address of her eldest daughter, Princess Leonor, who read the first article of the Spanish Constitution during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Magna Carta.{{Cite news |title=Spain's princess delivers her first speech |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-46050914 |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072459/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-46050914 |url-status=live }} A year later, on 18 October 2019, Letizia accompanied her daughter Leonor to the delivery of the Princess of Asturias Awards, the first time for the young princess.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-18 |title=La Princesa Leonor preside por primera vez la ceremonia de entrega de los premios que llevan su nombre |url=https://www.europapress.es/asturias/noticia-princesa-leonor-preside-primera-vez-ceremonia-entrega-premios-llevan-nombre-20191018184329.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |publisher=Europa Press |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072459/https://www.europapress.es/asturias/noticia-princesa-leonor-preside-primera-vez-ceremonia-entrega-premios-llevan-nombre-20191018184329.html |url-status=live }} The heir to the throne delivered her first speech in public in this event.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-11 |title=Princess Leonor delivers speech on 'very important day' of her life |url=https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20211022317066/princess-leonor-spain-speech-princess-asturias-awards/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072459/https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20211022317066/princess-leonor-spain-speech-princess-asturias-awards/ |url-status=live }}

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, King Felipe had to isolate himself in quarantine for testing positive for coronavirus in several occasions between 2020 and 2022.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=Spain's King Felipe VI self-isolating after COVID-19 contact |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/23/king-felipe-vi-of-spain-self-isolating-after-contact-with-covid-19-case |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202202204/https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/23/king-felipe-vi-of-spain-self-isolating-after-contact-with-covid-19-case |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2022-02-09 |title=Spain's King Felipe tests positive for COVID-19 |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-king-felipe-tests-positive-covid-19-2022-02-09/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421054742/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-king-felipe-tests-positive-covid-19-2022-02-09/ |url-status=live }} While he was isolated, the Queen replaced him in those events for which she was constitutionally authorized (awards delivery,{{Cite web |last=ESPAÑA |first=ATLAS |date=2020-12-01 |title=La Reina Letizia sustituye al Rey en la entrega de los Premios Jaume I en Valencia |url=https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/202011/30/reina-letizia-sustituye-entrega-6213104517001-vi.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Mujer Hoy |language=es |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414041027/https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/202011/30/reina-letizia-sustituye-entrega-6213104517001-vi.html |url-status=live }} lunches, inauguration of events,{{Cite web |date=2020-11-26 |title=Doña Letizia sustituye al Rey en la inauguración de un congreso en Sevilla |url=https://www.lne.es/vida-y-estilo/gente/2020/11/26/dona-letizia-sustituye-rey-inauguracion-25609264.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=La Nueva España |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824210607/https://www.lne.es/vida-y-estilo/gente/2020/11/26/dona-letizia-sustituye-rey-inauguracion-25609264.html |url-status=live }} etc.) but not in those activities tightly related to constitutional responsibilities (such as the working meeting with the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, in 2022, which had to be postponed.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=El rey Felipe VI da positivo en la prueba de coronavirus y estará una semana aislado |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2022-02-09/el-rey-felipe-vi-da-positivo-en-la-prueba-de-coronavirus.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=El País |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824171156/https://elpais.com/espana/2022-02-09/el-rey-felipe-vi-da-positivo-en-la-prueba-de-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-28 |title=La 'regencia' en plena forma de la Reina Letizia por la cuarentena del Rey |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/casa-real/2020/11/28/5fc0e75521efa0755f8b45da.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824171205/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/casa-real/2020/11/28/5fc0e75521efa0755f8b45da.html |url-status=live }} For the 2020 Rey Jaime I Awards in Valencia, Queen Letizia presented the award-winners with their gold medals and gave a short speech praising the "talent, effort and generosity" of prize-winners.{{Cite web

|url=https://www.elespanol.com/corazon/casas-reales/20201126/letizia-reina-felipe-vi-premios-rey-jaime/538946726_0.html

|title=Letizia vuelve a ejercer de Reina ante la cuarentena de Felipe VI: presidirá los Premios Rey Jaime I

|work=El Español

|quote=La reina Letizia (48 años) presidirá el próximo lunes en Valencia el acto de entrega de los Premios Rey Jaime I 2020 al que iba a acudir con Felipe VI (52), quien se ausentará debido a la cuarentena que mantiene por haber estado en contacto con un positivo por covid-19. (Queen Letizia (48 years old) will preside next Monday in Valencia the ceremony of delivery of the King Jaime I Awards 2020 to which she was going to attend with Felipe VI (52), who will be absent due to the quarantine he maintains for having been in contact with a positive for covid-19.)

|date=November 26, 2020

|access-date=March 30, 2021

|archive-date=11 April 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411174320/https://www.elespanol.com/corazon/casas-reales/20201126/letizia-reina-felipe-vi-premios-rey-jaime/538946726_0.html

|url-status=live

}}{{Cite web

|url=https://www.elindependiente.com/futuro/2020/11/30/la-reina-destaca-el-talento-y-el-esfuerzo-de-los-premios-rey-jaime-i/

|title=La Reina destaca el "talento y el esfuerzo" de los Premios Rey Jaime I (The Queen highlights the "talent and effort" of the Rey Jaime I Awards)

|work=El Independente

|quote=La Reina Letizia ha destacado que el «talento, el esfuerzo y la generosidad» de los galardonados en los Premios Rey Jaime I «suponen una muestra de que somos capaces de proyectar una España moderna, solidaria y fuerte» (Queen Letizia stressed that the "talent, effort and generosity" of the winners of the Rey Jaime I Awards "are a sign that we are capable of projecting a modern, supportive and strong Spain")

|date=November 30, 2020

|access-date=March 30, 2021

|archive-date=18 May 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518035749/https://www.elindependiente.com/futuro/2020/11/30/la-reina-destaca-el-talento-y-el-esfuerzo-de-los-premios-rey-jaime-i/

|url-status=live

}} In 2022, it was reported that Letizia was suffering from Morton's neuroma.{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5237298/0/reina-letizia-se-sienta-besamanos-paises-bajos-debido-su-dolencia-pie/|title=La reina Letizia, obligada a sentarse durante el besamanos en la cena de gala en Ámsterdam|work=20 minutos|date=17 April 2024|access-date=18 April 2024|language=Spanish|archive-date=17 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417210612/https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5237298/0/reina-letizia-se-sienta-besamanos-paises-bajos-debido-su-dolencia-pie/|url-status=live}}

File:Premios Princesa de Asturias 2024 (3).jpg

After a one-month delay to avoid interfering with the electoral campaign of the 2023 general election, on 25 July 2023 the King and Queen inaugurated the Royal Collections Gallery,{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Queen Letizia is floral perfection in Carolina Herrera dress |url=https://www.hola.com/us/fashion/20230726348462/queen-letizia-carolina-herrera-dress-museum-madrid/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824131919/https://www.hola.com/us/fashion/20230726348462/queen-letizia-carolina-herrera-dress-museum-madrid/ |url-status=live }} a new museum sponsored by Patrimonio Nacional, the government agency that guards the Crown assets. On 17 August 2023, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, together with Infanta Sofía, accompanied Princess Leonor to the General Military Academy, to begin three years of military training.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Princess Leonor says goodbye to family as she arrives at military school: Photos |url=https://www.hola.com/us/royals/20230817349262/princess-leonor-arrives-military-school-training-best-photos-1/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=HOLA |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824062847/https://www.hola.com/us/royals/20230817349262/princess-leonor-arrives-military-school-training-best-photos-1/ |url-status=live }} Leonor used both her father's and her mother's surnames "Borbón Ortiz".{{Cite web |title=See the Name on Princess Leonor of Spain's Army Uniform — and How It Relates to Prince William and Prince Harry |url=https://people.com/princess-leonor-spain-army-uniform-name-relates-prince-william-prince-harry-7693076 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826120720/https://people.com/princess-leonor-spain-army-uniform-name-relates-prince-william-prince-harry-7693076 |url-status=live }} In late August 2023, she travelled with her youngest daughter, Sofía, to Australia to see the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup between Spain and England.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-17 |title=Spain's Queen Letizia to attend World Cup final against England |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66535460 |access-date=2023-08-23 |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826082148/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66535460 |url-status=live }} The Queen delivered the trophy to the World Champions, Spain, and celebrated with them on the pitch.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-20 |title=Queen Letizia holds winners' trophy as Spain defeats England in Sydney |url=https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/queen-letizia-sydney-fifa-\womens-world-cup-final-congratulates-spain-on-victory-over-england/536fc1c5-08ab-46e7-b47f-d719dafd2ddd |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=honey.nine.com.au |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia of Spain Celebrate World Cup Win on the Field with Team: 'Champions!' |url=https://people.com/queen-letizia-spain-celebrates-world-cup-final-field-team-princess-sofia-best-photos-7693380 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823030442/https://people.com/queen-letizia-spain-celebrates-world-cup-final-field-team-princess-sofia-best-photos-7693380 |url-status=live }} Indirectly, this drew criticism to the British royal family for their absence from the event.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=2023-08-20 |title=Prince William faces criticism for not attending Women's World Cup final |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/20/prince-william-criticism-not-attending-womens-world-cup-final |access-date=2023-08-23 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820115150/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/20/prince-william-criticism-not-attending-womens-world-cup-final |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Khalil |first=Hafsa |date=2023-08-20 |title=Spanish queen celebrates side's World Cup victory as British royals stay home |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/20/football/womens-world-cup-final-spain-queen-letizia-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823184023/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/20/football/womens-world-cup-final-spain-queen-letizia-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Royal family 'should definitely' have attended World Cup final, says Sir Geoff Hurst |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-william-world-cup-final-geoff-hurst-b2396494.html |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823023341/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-william-world-cup-final-geoff-hurst-b2396494.html |url-status=live }}

On 30 April 2024, State lawyer María Dolores Ocaña Madrid was appointed as private secretary to the Queen, being the first woman to hold the office.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=María Dolores Ocaña es ya la nueva mano derecha de la Reina |url=https://www.larazon.es/espana/maria-dolores-ocana-nueva-mano-derecha-reina_2024043066308d74c0b95c0001d3bf6d.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=La Razón |language=es}}

On 3 November 2024, King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Sánchez and Valencian president Carlos Mazón were violently confronted during a meeting with victims of the October 2024 Spain floods in Paiporta in the Valencian Community, who threw mud and objects at them and injured two bodyguards.{{Cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Joseph |last2=Melero |first2=David |date=4 November 2024 |title=Spain flood survivors hurl mud at the royals and top government officials |url=https://apnews.com/article/spain-floods-king-protest-mud-a8525bd82cf4cc3fc6273d535cbb9d66 |work=Associated Press}} Although the Prime Minister had to be evacuated, the monarchs remained there listening to the complaints and requests of the residents.{{Cite web |last=Aragón |first=Heraldo de |date=2024-11-03 |title=Los Reyes se quedan escuchando a los vecinos de Paiporta en medio de la tensión, mientras Sánchez es evacuado "por seguridad" |url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/nacional/2024/11/03/dana-paiporta-reyes-se-quedan-escuchando-vecinos-de-paiporta-pese-a-la-tension-barro-valencia-1774878.html |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=heraldo.es |language=es}} After the incident, the visit to neighboring towns was postponed,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Aplazada la visita de los Reyes a Chiva tras los incidentes en Paiporta |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-aplazada-visita-reyes-chiva-incidentes-paiporta-20241103151133.html |access-date=2024-11-05 |publisher=Europa Press}} but the Royal Household confirmed that they would return "in the next few days".{{Cite web |title=Zarzuela prepara una nueva visita de los Reyes a Chiva (Valencia) "en los próximos días" |url=https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/politica/zarzuela-prepara-nueva-visita-reyes-chiva-valencia-proximos-dias.html |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=www.vozpopuli.com |language=es}} The King returned to the region on 12 November to check the efforts of the Armed Forces in the disaster{{Cite web |last=Cebrián |first=Ignacio Zafra, Belén Domínguez |date=2024-11-12 |title=El Rey vuelve a Valencia solo y como jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2024-11-12/el-rey-vuelve-a-valencia-solo-y-como-jefe-de-las-fuerzas-armadas.html |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=El País |language=es}} and, on 19 November, he and the Queen resumed the visit canceled two weeks earlier.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=El pueblo valenciano se resarce con los Reyes durante su visita a Utiel y Chiva, la 'zona cero' de la DANA |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2024/11/19/673b3dc0fc6c83472e8b4593.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} On 22 December 2024, the King and Queen made a surprise visit to Catarroja to check in again to see how the residents were doing.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Spanish royal family spends Sunday in some towns of Valencia affected by the cold drop |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/mediterranean/20241223/10233918/king-queen-leonor-sofia-catarroja-palmar-picanya-alaquas-valencia-spain-felipe-letizia-queen-sofia-leonor-flood-cold-drop.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=La Vanguardia |language=en}} In this visit they were accompanied by Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía who were on their respective school breaks. On 12 March 2025 to show their continued support for Valencia they visited the people again to check in on what has happened since then.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

{{Main list|List of titles and honours of Queen Letizia of Spain}}

{{Multiple image

| total_width = 250

| image1 = Dual Cypher of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias.svg

| alt = A logo with "CR" and a crown

| image2 = Royal Monogram of Queen Letizia of Spain.svg

| alt2 = A logo with "C" and a crown

| footer = Letizia's royal cyphers as Princess of Asturias (left) and as queen (right)

}}

Upon marrying Felipe, Letizia was styled "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias", as consort of the Prince of Asturias, heir to the Spanish Crown.{{Cite web |title=El tratamiento de doña Letizia seguirá siendo el mismo |url=https://www.hola.com/bodaprincipe/2003/11/07/letizia-tratamiento/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.hola.com |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2004-05-22 |title=Doña Letizia tiene desde ahora tratamiento de Alteza Real |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/abci-dona-letizia-tiene-desde-ahora-tratamiento-alteza-real-200405220300-9621642372561_noticia.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Diario ABC |language=es}} Likewise, Letizia had the right to use the other titles that belonged to Felipe as heir (these were those of Princess of Girona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera, and Lady of Balaguer).{{Cite web |title=Don Felipe vuelve a Viana sin la Princesa de Asturias |url=https://www.hola.com/realeza/2007/06/07/principe-viana-viaje/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.hola.com |language=es}}

After the accession of Felipe to the Spanish throne, Letizia became queen consort and was styled as "Her Majesty The Queen". In private conversations, the most correct thing is to address her initially as "Your Majesty" (Majestad) and, later, as "Madam" (Señora), but never as "You" (Tú or Usted).{{Cite web |date=2015-09-21 |title=Al Rey solo le tutea su familia; los demás le tratan de "Señor" o "Majestad" |url=https://www.abc.es/casa-del-rey/rey-felipe-vi/20150921/abci-saludo-seor-201509211229.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Diario ABC |language=es}}

On 21 May 2004, the day before her marriage to Felipe, Letizia was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III.Boletín Oficial del Estado, Number 124, 22 May 2004, [http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2004-9530 pp. 19314-19314] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019173615/http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2004-9530 |date=19 October 2015 }} {{in lang|es}} (Retrieved 13 September 2015) Since then, Letizia has received different appointments and decorations by foreign states and other Spanish honours.

The coat of arms of Queen Letizia was adopted in 2014, based on the design created for her by the Asturian Academy of Heraldry and Genealogy (Academia Asturiana de Heráldica y Genealogía) in May 2004 and approved by Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent, Cronista Rey de Armas; this was used by her as Princess of Asturias."Armas de Doña Leticia", Revista Internacional de Protocolo Number 33 (2004, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}), pp. 64-65 The revision of 2014 was confirmed by Don Alfonso Ceballos-Escalera y Gil, Chronicler of Arms for Castile and León.

The Queen's coat of arms has no official status, as in Spain only those of the King, former King Juan Carlos, and of the Princess of Asturias are so recognized by Royal Decree.{{cite web|title=Así serán el nuevo escudo y el nuevo guión de Felipe VI|url=http://www.onemagazine.es/noticia/18396/Actividades-y-Ocio/Asi-seran-el-nuevo-escudo-y-el-nuevo-guion-de-Felipe-VI.html|publisher=one magazine|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015173732/http://www.onemagazine.es/noticia/18396/Actividades-y-Ocio/Asi-seran-el-nuevo-escudo-y-el-nuevo-guion-de-Felipe-VI.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=o escudo y nuevo guion para Felipe VI 11 jun 2014 Ya se está trabajando sobre el escudo y guion del próximo rey de España|date=19 June 2014|url=http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/telediario/nuevo-escudo-nuevo-guion-para-felipe-vi/2609849/|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015053018/http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/telediario/nuevo-escudo-nuevo-guion-para-felipe-vi/2609849/|url-status=live}}

{{Infobox COA wide

|image = Coat of Arms of Letizia Ortiz, Queen of Spain.svg

|imagesize = 220

|bannerimage = Personal Standard of Letizia, Queen of Spain.svg

|badgeimage =

|notes =

|adopted =

|crest = The queen consort's crown (crown's arches differenced as consort)

|torse =

|helm =

|escutcheon = Impaled I, quarterly 1st Gules a castle Or, triple-embattled and voided gate and windows, with three towers each triple-turreted, of the field, masoned Sable and ajoure Azure (Castile); 2nd Argent a lion rampant Purpure crowned Or, langued and armed Gules (Leon); 3rd Or, four pallets Gules (Crown of Aragon) and 4th Gules a cross, saltire and orle of chains linked together Or, a centre point Vert Argent (Navarre); enté en point, with a pomegranate proper seeded Gules, supported, sculpted and leafed in two leaves Vert (Granada); inescutcheon Azure bordure Gules, three fleurs-de-lys Or (Bourbon-Anjou); II, quarterly 1st and 4th Azure, an eight points star Or a bordure chequy Gules and Argent (Ortiz); 2nd and 3rd Or, a rose Gules barbed and seeded Vert (Rocasolano).

|supporters =

|compartment =

|motto =

|orders = The Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III ribbon.

|other_elements =

|banner = The Queen's personal Royal Standard is that of the Spanish monarch (crimson square flag) bordered with the main colours of the arms of her family (blue and yellow) and charged with her personalized coat of arms.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

|badge =

|symbolism = Queen Letizia's personalized coat of arms impales her husband's shield to the dexter (viewer's left) with her family arms -1st and 4th quarters, the arms of her father Jesús Ortiz; 2nd and 3rd quarters, the arms of her maternal grandfather Francisco Rocasolano.{{in lang|es}} Armas de Doña Letizia, Revista Internacional de Protocolo, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}, Number 33, 2004, pp. 64–65

|previous_versions = 70px

From 2004 to 2014

The coat of arms used as the princess was the whole differenced with a label of three points Azure (used as a difference of the Spanish heir-apparent) and the crown as Spanish heir-apparent, it had four half-arches (with Crown's arches differenced as consort).

}}

• Joyas de pasar

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Queen Letizia of Spain}}

• [https://www.casareal.es/EN/FamiliaReal/ReinaLetizia/Paginas/subhome.aspx Official website of the Spanish Monarchy]

{{Clear}}

{{S-start}}

{{S-hou||15 September|1972|name=Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano}}

{{S-roy|es}}

|-

{{S-bef |before = Sophia of Greece and Denmark }}

{{S-ttl

|title = Queen consort of Spain |years = 2014–present

}}

{{S-inc}}

{{S-end}}

{{Spanish consorts}}

{{Current consorts of sovereigns}}

{{Infantas of Spain by marriage}}

{{Princesses of Asturias}}

{{OGH Recipients}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Letizia, Queen consort Of Spain}}

Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Oviedo

Category:House of Bourbon (Spain)

Category:Monarchy of Spain

Category:Spanish royal consorts

Category:Spanish television presenters

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Category:Spanish women journalists

Category:Princesses of Asturias

Category:Princesses of Viana

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Category:Felipe VI

Category:Princesses by marriage

Category:21st-century Spanish women