View source for Queen Letizia of Spain

{{short description|Queen of Spain since 2014}}
{{family name hatnote|Ortiz|Rocasolano|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| consort      = yes
| name         = Letizia Ortiz
| image        = 2020-02-06 Visita de los Reyes a Écija con motivo del "Premio Escuela del Año 2019" de la Fundación Princesa de Girona, 31 (Queen Letizia).jpg
| caption      = Letizia in 2020
| alt          =
| succession   = [[Queen consort of Spain]]
| reign        = 19 June 2014 – present
| birth_name   = Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1972|9|15}}
| birth_place  = [[Oviedo]], Asturias, Spain
| spouses      = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Alonso Guerrero Pérez]]|7 August 1998|1999|reason=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Felipe VI]]|22 May 2004}}
}}
| issue        = {{ubl | [[Leonor, Princess of Asturias]] | [[Infanta Sofía]]}}
| house        = [[Bourbon-Anjou]] (by marriage)
| father       = Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez
| mother       = María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez
| module       = {{infobox person | embed=yes
| education    = {{plainlist|
* [[Complutense University of Madrid]]
* Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism
}}
}}
| signature    = Letizia spain sig.svg
}}
{{Spanish royal family}}
'''Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano'''<!--Spanish women do not change their name upon marriage, and her name has never legally been anything but Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. See talk page.--> ({{IPA|es|leˈtiθja oɾˈtiθ rokasoˈlano|pron}}; born 15 September 1972) is [[List of Spanish royal consorts|Queen of Spain]] as the wife of [[King Felipe VI]].
Letizia was born in [[Oviedo]], Asturias. She worked as a journalist for ''[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]'' and [[EFE]] before becoming a [[news anchor]] at [[CNN+ (Spanish TV network)|CNN+]] and [[Televisión Española]]. In 1998, she married [[Alonso Guerrero Pérez]]; they divorced the following year. In 2004, [[Wedding of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz|Letizia married Felipe]], then [[Prince of Asturias]] as the son and [[heir apparent]] of [[King Juan Carlos I]]. The couple have two daughters, [[Leonor, Princess of Asturias|Leonor]] and [[Infanta Sofía of Spain|Sofía]]. As [[List of Princesses of Asturias by marriage|Princess of Asturias]], Letizia represented her father-in-law in Spain and abroad. On [[Juan Carlos's abdication]] in June 2014, Felipe became king, making Letizia [[queen consort]].
As the consort of the ruling monarch, Letizia has no constitutional functions of her own and it is constitutionally prohibited for her to assume any, unless she assumes the role of [[regent]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiburcio |first=Núria |date=2022-02-11 |title=¿Por qué la reina Letizia no puede asumir la agenda de Felipe VI, positivo en coronavirus? |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2022-02-11/letizia-reina-asumir-agenda-felipe-vi-coronavirus_3373284/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824165435/https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2022-02-11/letizia-reina-asumir-agenda-felipe-vi-coronavirus_3373284/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Queen performs public commitments representing the [[Monarchy of Spain|Crown]], often with her husband, but she is focused on being the patron, president or member of numerous charities and organizations, and she is the visible face of the [[Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation|Spanish international cooperation]], often traveling around the world supervising and promoting it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=Así ha aprendido la reina Letizia de sus errores en los viajes de Cooperación: un debut accidentado, un ciclón y la polémica del chaleco rojo |url=https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/reina-letizia-viajes-cooperacion-criticas-polemicas-fotos-discurso-20230612064421-nt.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Mujer Hoy |language=es |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612153923/https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/reina-letizia-viajes-cooperacion-criticas-polemicas-fotos-discurso-20230612064421-nt.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Family==
Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was born on 15 September 1972 at Miñor Sanatorium in [[Oviedo]], Asturias,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcomercio.es/politica/201406/19/letizia-ortiz-reina-espana-20140619125541.html|title=Letizia Ortiz, Reina de España|work=El Comercio|first=Leticia|last=Álvarez|date=19 June 2014|access-date=29 March 2021|language=Spanish|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}}</ref> the eldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez, a journalist, and his first wife, María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, a registered nurse and hospital union representative.<ref>{{cite web|language=es|url=http://www.diariodenavarra.es/especiales/bodareal/familias/pagina6.asp|title=Paloma Rocasolano, enlace sindical|publisher=Diario de Navarra|location=[[Spain|ES]]|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}}</ref> 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 [[Infanta Sofía of Spain|second child]].<ref>{{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|location=ES|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}}</ref>
Ortiz's parents divorced in 1999 and her father remarried in [[Madrid]] on 18 March 2004 to fellow journalist Ana Togores.<ref>{{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|location=ES|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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Princess Letizia, Spain|url=http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm|publisher=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}}</ref>
Ortiz's paternal grandparents were José Luis Ortiz Velasco (1923–2005), a commercial employee at [[Olivetti]],<ref>{{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=2012-07-29|title=Jesús Ortiz: 'Como abuelo me siento emocionado'|location=Aragón, ES|work=El Periódico|language=es}}</ref> and [[Menchu Álvarez del Valle|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 [[Occitans|Occitan]] origin.<ref>{{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|location=ES|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}}</ref><ref>{{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|location=ES|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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Princess Letizia of Spain|url=http://www.womenfitness.net/beautifulPrincesses_world3.htm|publisher=by Womenfitness.net 1999-2016. All rights reserved|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}}</ref> Letizia's maternal grandmother, Enriqueta Rodríguez Figueredo (1919–2008), was an ''[[Peninsulares|insular]]'', a White [[Filipinos|Filipina]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> who was from the [[Philippines]], born to [[Criollo people|Criollo]] Filipino<ref>{{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=September 24, 2024 | publisher=www.philstar.com - The Freeman}}</ref> parents.<ref>{{cite web|location=ES|url=http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2008/663/1214690414.html|year=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}}</ref>
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.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{in lang|es}} ''Armas de Doña Letizia'', Revista Internacional de Protocolo, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}, Number 33, 2004, pp. 64–65</ref>
A French genealogist evidenced that on her mother's Rocasolano lineage, Ortiz is a 9th cousin of French singer and actress Anny Flore.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.academia.edu/121900070 | title=Parentèle Roquesoulane | work=Working Paper | date=January 2024 | last1=Caron | first1=François }}</ref>
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]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kenny|first1=Mary|title=How the younger breed of Royals is moving centre stage|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/how-the-younger-breed-of-royals-is-moving-centre-stage-30494240.html|publisher=Belfast Telegraph 9 August 2014|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}}</ref>
==Education and career==
Ortiz attended La Gesta School in Oviedo, before her family moved to [[Rivas-Vaciamadrid]]<ref name="Cuartas">{{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}}</ref> near [[Madrid]], where she attended the Ramiro de Maeztu High School.<ref name="navarra">[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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="official">[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 }}</ref>
During her studies, Ortiz worked for the Asturian daily newspaper ''[[La Nueva España]]'' and later for the newspaper ''[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]'' and the national news agency [[EFE]].<ref name="navarra"/><ref name="official"/> After completing her master's degree, she travelled to [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]], Mexico, where she worked at the newspaper ''[[:es:Siglo 21 (periódico mexicano)|Siglo 21]]'' and began work toward a PhD. She did not, however, complete her doctoral thesis because she returned to Spain.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After returning to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of the economic channel [[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg]] before moving to the news network [[CNN+ (Spanish TV network)|CNN+]].<ref name="official" />
In 2000, Ortiz moved to [[Televisión Española|TVE]], where she started working for the news channel [[24 Horas (Spanish TV 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.<ref name="navarra"/><ref name="official"/> In August 2003, a few months before her engagement to [[Felipe VI|Felipe, Prince of Asturias]], Ortiz was promoted to anchor of the TVE daily evening news programme ''[[Telediario|Telediario 2]]'', the most viewed newscast in Spain.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
In 2000, she reported from Washington, D.C., on [[2000 United States presidential election|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 [[2003 invasion of Iraq|war]].<ref name="reuters new queen">{{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|work=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}}</ref> In 2002 she sent several reports from [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] in northern Spain following the ecological disaster when the oil tanker ''[[Prestige oil spill|Prestige]]'' sank.<ref>{{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' | work=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 }}</ref>
==First marriage==
Ortiz married [[Alonso Guerrero Pérez]] (born in 1962), a writer and a high school literature teacher, on 7 August 1998, in a [[civil ceremony]] at [[Almendralejo]], in [[Badajoz (province)|Badajoz]], after a 10-year courtship.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The marriage ended by divorce in 1999.<ref name="reuters new queen"/>
==Second marriage and children==
{{main|Wedding of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz}}
[[File:Order of the Civil Merit Ceremony. 5th Felipe VI Reign Anniversary 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their two daughters, the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia, in June 2019]]
On 1 November 2003, to the surprise of many, the [[Royal Household of Spain|Royal Household]] announced Ortiz's engagement to Prince Felipe.<ref name="official"/> Afterwards, she moved to live in a wing of the [[Palacio de la Zarzuela|Zarzuela Palace]] until the day of her wedding.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The Prince of Asturias had proposed to her with a 16-[[Diamond cut#Choice of cut|baguette]] diamond engagement ring with a white gold trim. She marked the occasion by giving him white gold and sapphire cufflinks and a classic book.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
The wedding took place on 22 May 2004 in the [[Almudena Cathedral]] in Madrid.<ref>{{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 | work=The Telegraph | date=22 May 2004 | access-date=16 May 2016 | author=Wilkinson, Isambard}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 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, Duchess of Lugo|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.<ref>{{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|work=El Pais|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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/marriage-lets-madrid-smile-again/article18283219/ | title=Marriage lets Madrid smile again | work=Saturday's 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 }}</ref>
Letizia and Felipe have two daughters: [[Leonor, Princess of Asturias]], born on 31 October 2005,<ref>{{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|work=BBC News|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}}</ref> and [[Infanta Sofía of Spain|Infanta Sofía]], born on 29 April 2007. They were born in the Ruber International Hospital in [[Madrid]].<ref>{{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|work=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}}</ref>
==Princess of Asturias==
[[File:Pascua Militar 2.jpg|thumb|left|[[King Juan Carlos]] and [[Queen Sofía of Spain|Queen Sofía]], with the Prince and Princess of Asturias, at the 2009 [[Pascua Militar]]]]
Princess Letizia immediately joined in the duties of her husband and travelled extensively through Spain representing her father-in-law. They also represented Spain in other countries: she has travelled along with her husband to Jordan, Mexico, Peru, Hungary, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the United States, Serbia, Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, China, and Portugal. She also greeted international dignitaries, along with other members of the royal family, and attended gatherings of foreign royalty in Luxembourg, for the silver wedding anniversary of [[Grand Duke Henri]] and [[Grand Duchess Maria Teresa]], and in the Netherlands for the 40th birthday of [[Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Los Príncipes acuden a la fiesta del 40º cumpleaños de Guillermo de Holanda|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2007/09/02/agenda/1188684004_850215.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=El Pais|date=2 September 2007|language=es|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815175724/https://elpais.com/diario/2007/09/02/agenda/1188684004_850215.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Letizia's solo agenda was announced in 2006, shortly after the announcement of her second pregnancy. Letizia has performed a couple of audiences and her work focuses on social issues such as children's rights, rare diseases, culture, and education. 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Who Will Be Next King, Queen of Spain? 19 Things To Know About Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia of Asturias|url=http://www.latintimes.com/who-will-be-next-king-queen-spain-19-things-know-about-prince-felipe-princess-letizia-176993|access-date=9 October 2014|publisher=latintimes|author=Maria G. Valdez|date=2 June 2014|archive-date=15 October 2014|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|url-status=live}}</ref>
In September 2010, the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) appointed her as honorary president of the Association and its scientific foundation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Doña Letizia, Presidenta de Honor de la Asociación Española contra el Cáncer, Entorno, expansion.com |url=https://www.expansion.com/2010/09/24/entorno/1285357709.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.expansion.com |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824072458/https://www.expansion.com/2010/09/24/entorno/1285357709.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Queen of Spain ==
[[File:Proclamacionfelipevi3.jpg|thumb|Felipe and Letizia during the proclamation of the new sovereign before the Spanish parliament]]
On 19 June 2014, Letizia became [[queen consort of Spain|Queen of Spain]] with her husband's accession as Felipe VI; as such, she holds the style of [[Majesty]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> She is the first Spanish-born [[queen consort]] since [[Mercedes of Orléans]], the first wife of [[Alfonso XII]], in 1878.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> She is also the first Spanish queen to have been born as a [[commoner]].<ref name="reuters new queen" /> The queen consort was present when King [[Juan Carlos I]] gave his son, King Felipe VI, the sash of [[captain general]] of the [[Spanish Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] (symbolizing the transfer of royal and military power),<ref>{{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 }}</ref> as well as when Felipe swore before the [[Cortes Generales]] to fulfill his duties, protect and defend the [[Constitution of Spain|Constitution]] as well as respecting the rights of the citizens and the [[Spanish regions]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 25 June 2014, the King appointed [[José Manuel de Zuleta y Alejandro]], 14th [[Duke of Abrantes (1642)|duke of Abrantes]], as her private secretary.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In their first overseas trip as king and queen, Felipe and Letizia met [[Pope Francis]] on 30 June 2014, in the [[Apostolic Palace]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> They later met with [[Cardinal Secretary of State]] [[Pietro Parolin]], accompanied by Mgsr. [[Antoine Camilleri (prelate)|Antoine Camilleri]], under-secretary for Relations with States. The visit followed one by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia on 28 April.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
[[File:Presidenta Bachelet ofreció una recepción a Sus Majestades los Reyes de España, autoridades y personalidades españolas (15516055950).jpg|left|thumb|The King and Queen at the official reception that the Chilean president, [[Michelle Bachelet]], 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> There, she met the Austrian president [[Heinz Fischer]] and his wife, [[Margit Fischer]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In December 2014, she chaired the general meeting of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, an association that she has chaired since 2010<ref name=":0" /> and which she continues to do as queen.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
[[File:Reina Letizia de España visita Jiquilisco (18179468635).jpg|thumb|Queen Letizia during her cooperation visit to [[Jiquilisco]], [[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<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> killing 150 people, including 51 [[Spaniards]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> They resumed the state visit on early June, being welcomed by French president [[François Hollande]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> On 13 April 2015, Queen Letizia visited the Artillery Academy, which marked her first solo military event.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> A few days later, she travelled with her husband to [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]], to commemorate the 75th birthday of Queen [[Margrethe II of Denmark|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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
In June 2015, Letizia was named Special Ambassador for Nutrition for the United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Late this month, after travelling to France, she and the King made a state visit to [[Mexico|México]], their first visit to the [[Americas]] as Spain's sovereigns.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> In late July 2015, she traveled alone to [[Milan]], [[Italy]] for the [[Expo 2015]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref name=":1">{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref name=":1" /> In October 2015, she traveled alone to [[Düsseldorf]], [[Germany]], to inaugurate an exhibition about Spanish painter [[Francisco de Zurbarán|Zurbarán]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> That month, she also accompanied King Felipe to the [[Princess of Asturias Awards]] ceremony, the first since [[Leonor, Princess of Asturias|Leonor]] assumed as [[Prince of Asturias|Princess of Asturias]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> At the end of 2015, the Queen attended two funerals. First, in November, she attended, with the rest of the [[Spanish royal family|Royal Family]], the funeral of [[Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria]] in [[El Escorial]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Second, in December, she attended the funeral of Spanish police officers killed in the [[2015 Spanish Embassy attack in Kabul]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
2016 was a low-key year for the [[Spanish royal family|Royal Family]]. The electoral process started with the [[2015 Spanish general election|2015 general election]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and followed by the [[2016 Spanish general election|2016 general election]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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,<ref name=":2">{{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 }}</ref> the Association of Children's Organizations of Spain,<ref name=":2" /> the Association for Specific Language Disorder of Madrid<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and the Spanish Nutrition Foundation,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 Vasco|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (figure skater)|Javier Fernández]] after winning the [[2016 World Figure Skating Championships|2016 World Championship]] (his second consecutive title).<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>[[File:Awada Letizia 4.jpg|thumb|Letizia alongside [[Juliana Awada]], [[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 [[Palace of Zarzuela|Royal Palace of Zarzuela]], such as the German president [[Joachim Gauck]] and his wife, Gerhild Radtke,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and the Hungarian president [[János Áder]] and his wife, Anita Herczegh.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=":3">{{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 }}</ref> The King's sister, [[Infanta Cristina of Spain|Infanta Cristina]], was cleared of all crimes.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
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 (politician)|Rui Moreira]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 of the Netherlands|Willem-Alexander]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In May, they offered a lunch to Jordanian [[Princess Muna Al Hussein]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> They also reunited with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, [[Charles III|Charles]] and [[Queen Camilla|Camila]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The heir to the throne delivered her first speech in public in this event.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
In the context of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Spain|COVID-19 pandemic]], King Felipe had to isolate himself in quarantine for testing positive for coronavirus in several occasions between 2020 and 2022.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> While he was isolated, the Queen replaced him in those events for which she was constitutionally authorized (awards delivery,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> lunches, inauguration of events,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="2020Queen">{{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
}}</ref><ref name="2020Independente">{{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
}}</ref> In 2022, it was reported that Letizia was suffering from [[Morton's neuroma]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
[[File:Premios Princesa de Asturias 2024 (3).jpg|left|thumb|The King and Queen, together with the Princess of Asturias and Queen Sofía, during the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony 2024.]]
After a one-month delay to avoid interfering with the electoral campaign of the [[2023 Spanish general election|2023 general election]], on 25 July 2023 the King and Queen inaugurated the [[Royal Collections Gallery]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> a new museum sponsored by ''[[Patrimonio Nacional]]'', the government agency that guards the [[Monarchy of Spain|Crown]] assets. On 17 August 2023, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, together with [[Infanta Sofía of Spain|Infanta Sofía]], accompanied Princess Leonor to the [[General Military Academy]], to begin three years of military training.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Leonor used both her father's and her mother's surnames "Borbón Ortiz".<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In late August 2023, she travelled with her youngest daughter, Sofía, to [[Australia]] to see the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final|final]] of the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]] between [[Spain women's national football team|Spain]] and [[England women's national football team|England]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The Queen delivered the trophy to the World Champions, Spain, and celebrated with them on the pitch.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> Indirectly, this drew criticism to the [[British royal family]] for their absence from the event.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>
On 30 April 2024, [[State Lawyers Corps|State lawyer]] María Dolores Ocaña Madrid was appointed as private secretary to the Queen, being the first woman to hold the office.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> Although the Prime Minister had to be evacuated, the monarchs remained there listening to the complaints and requests of the residents.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After the incident, the visit to neighboring towns was postponed,<ref>{{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}}</ref> but the Royal Household confirmed that they would return "in the next few days".<ref>{{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}}</ref> The king returned to the region on November 12 to check the efforts of the Armed Forces in the disaster<ref>{{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}}</ref> and, in November 19, the monarchs resumed the visit canceled two weeks earlier.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
== Titles and honours ==
{{Main list|List of titles and honours of Queen Letizia of Spain}}
[[File:Royal Monogram of Queen Letizia of Spain.svg|thumb|110px|[[Royal monogram]] of Queen Letizia]]
On 21 May 2004, the day before her marriage to Felipe, Letizia was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III|Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III]].<ref>''[[Boletín Oficial del Estado]]'', Number 124, 22 May 2004,  [http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2004-9530 pp.&nbsp;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)</ref> Since then, Letizia has received different appointments and decorations by foreign states and other Spanish honours.
Letizia was styled as "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias" from her marriage to her husband's accession in 2014, and as "Her Majesty The Queen" since.
==Arms==
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.<ref>"Armas de Doña Leticia", ''Revista Internacional de Protocolo'' Number 33 (2004, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}), pp. 64-65</ref> 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 [[coat of arms of the King of Spain|those of the King]] of the King emeritus Juan Carlos, and [[Coat of arms of the Princess of Asturias|of the Princess of Asturias]] are so recognized by Royal Decree.<ref name="PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-1">{{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}}</ref><ref name=PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-2>{{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}}</ref>
{{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 ([[Half-arch (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 ([[Kingdom of Castile|Castile]]);  2nd Argent a lion rampant Purpure crowned Or, langued and armed Gules ([[Kingdom of León|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 ([[Kingdom of Navarre|Navarre]]); enté en point, with a pomegranate proper seeded Gules, supported, sculpted and leafed in two leaves Vert ([[Kingdom of Granada|Granada]]); inescutcheon Azure bordure Gules, three fleurs-de-lys Or ([[House of Bourbon|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).<ref name=PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-1/><ref name=PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-2/>
|supporters        =
|compartment       =
|motto             =
|orders            = The Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III]] ribbon.
|other_elements    =
|banner            = The Queen's personal Royal Standard is [[Royal Standard of Spain#The Standard and the Guidon of the King of Spain|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]] [[Impalement in heraldry|impale]]s [[Coat of arms of the King of Spain|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.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{in lang|es}} ''Armas de Doña Letizia'', Revista Internacional de Protocolo, {{ISSN|1135-9692}}, Number 33, 2004, pp. 64–65</ref>
|previous_versions = [[File:Armas atribuidas a Letizia Ortiz como Princesa de Asturias.svg|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).<ref name=PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-1/><ref name=PictureSummaryWikimediaCommons-2/>
}}
==See also==
* [[Joyas de pasar]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{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}}
<!-- Orders and honours detailed info moved to [[List of titles and honours of Letizia, Princess of Asturias]]-->
{{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]]
[[Category:Spanish journalists]]
[[Category:Spanish women television presenters]]
[[Category:Spanish women journalists]]
[[Category:Princesses of Asturias]]
[[Category:Princesses of Viana]]
[[Category:Complutense University of Madrid alumni]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Felipe VI]]
[[Category:Princesses by marriage]]