- New portraits of Letizia and Felipe
- Captured by a star photographer
- Criticism follows
The new portraits of King Felipe (56) and Queen Letizia (52) of Spain, captured by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz (75), are nothing short of a royal spectacle. Presented at the Bank of Spain, the photos depict the royal couple in a glamorous setting inspired by Spanish painters like Diego Velázquez.
Leibovitz has used her artistic freedom to craft images that evoke the feel of classic paintings from past centuries.
Royal portraits with a glamour factor
The photo session took place in the magnificent Gasparini Hall of the Royal Palace in Madrid. King Felipe poses in his Captain General's uniform of the Spanish Army, while Queen Letizia dazzles in a black off-the-shoulder gown made of vintage tulle by Cristóbal Balenciaga. Her "Joyas de Pasar" jewelry adds an extra touch of elegance.
Inspired by Velázquez
The portraits are presented as a diptych, with each image complementing the other. On the left, King Felipe is portrayed in the style of chiaroscuro, while Queen Letizia is bathed in natural light on the right. This composition draws inspiration from Velázquez’s iconic painting "Las Meninas". A chair featured in both portraits ties the two images together.
Also interesting:
Pausing state visits until 2027!
King Charles To Undergo Major Changes At Buckingham Palace In £3.5M Revamp
After the loss of her dog
A NEW Family Member Joins King Charles & Queen Camilla's Household
Criticism follows
Despite the artistic brilliance of the portraits, they have sparked criticism. According to 'Hola,' the Bank of Spain paid 137,000 euros for the photos, a cost that some find difficult to justify. Journalist Fonsi Loaiza voiced his disapproval on X, describing the "Hollywood photo shoot" as "shameful" due to the use of public funds. The timing of the portraits' release, amid recent flood disasters in Spain, has also raised questions about their appropriateness.
