A Decade in the Making
It took ten years, but Gucci is back in Queen Letizia's shoe rotation — and the Spanish queen made sure the comeback was worth the wait. Attending the closing gala of the 16th Atlàntida Mallorca Film Fest at La Misericordia Cultural Centre in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday, Letizia stepped out in Gucci's £990 Signora slides, marking her first documented appearance in the Italian house's footwear since January 2016.
The beige leather sandals — open-toed, backless, and finished with Gucci's signature gold-tone Horsebit hardware across the front — shared one unmistakable detail with the last pair she wore from the brand: that equestrian hardware, sitting across the vamp in almost exactly the same position as it did on the black Jolene pumps she wore nearly a decade ago. Different silhouette, same golden flourish. A neat bit of continuity from a royal whose wardrobe choices rarely happen by accident.
The Full Look
The shoes were just one element of a carefully considered evening ensemble. Letizia wore a one-shoulder burgundy midi dress by Carolina Herrera, gathered at the neckline, fitted through the bodice and hips, with a long gold zipper running down one side and ending in a teardrop-shaped pull near the knee. The sleeveless cut left her famously toned arms on full display, while the rich jewel tone and figure-skimming silhouette brought the kind of understated glamour she has become known for at major engagements.
She completed the look with a textured metallic gold box clutch and delicate gold earrings — a consistent thread of warm gold running from her accessories to her footwear. Soft bronze eye makeup and a glossy nude lip kept the focus firmly on the gown.
The Signora kept the lower block heel, but Gucci was the surprise.
Style watchers will note that Letizia has spent much of the summer in considerably more relaxed footwear — navy, black and natural espadrille wedges by Calzados Picón featured heavily throughout July. Even on more formal occasions, she has favoured moderate heels: red Magrit slingbacks for the World Cup final, taupe Massimo Dutti sandals at Adolfo Domínguez's 50th anniversary, and white Sézane Mary Janes for an Instituto Cervantes meeting. The Gucci Signoras, at just 2.2 inches, stayed in keeping with that preference — but the label itself was the curveball.
An Evening to Remember
The occasion itself was no less notable. Letizia was at the festival in an official capacity, presenting the prestigious Master of Cinema Award to celebrated French composer Alexandre Desplat in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film. The evening also marked the Spanish premiere of director Rodrigo Sorogoyen's latest film El ser querido, with Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem and actress Victoria Luengo among the guests.
In a charming twist, after presenting Desplat with his award, Letizia herself accepted a commemorative turquoise sculpture on stage — smiling as she posed with the trophy in front of the gala audience.
She represents a modern vision of elegance, timelessness, confidence and effortlessness.
That quote, from Andrea Moragues, founder of Madrid-based label Byan, captures what has made Letizia one of the most closely watched royal style figures in Europe. Her ability to mix accessible Spanish high-street finds with precision luxury pieces — and to do so with a consistency that feels entirely intentional — has turned every public appearance into something of a masterclass.
Whether it's a £109 Adolfo Domínguez dress or a pair of nearly £1,000 Gucci slides, the effect is always the same: polished, purposeful, and thoroughly her own. Gucci should be pleased to be back in the rotation.
