A few months ago, a portrait of Felipe VI and Letizia dressed in formal attire began circulating online, surprising many. It wasn’t an official photo or a commission from the Zarzuela Palace, but a painting by Alberto Rubio, a Sevillian artist who revived the courtly style of 17th-century painting, featuring the current monarchs.
It was the first time anyone had painted them together as monarchs in such a classic format, and the impact was far greater than he had anticipated.
A few days ago, Rubio unveiled a new work, this time featuring only Queen Letizia—a 50 x 70 cm graphite portrait completed in the final days of 2025.
According to Vanitatis, Rubio saw her during the Sultan of Oman’s visit on November 4th, which prompted him to draw her. Letizia wore the Russian tiara (which had belonged to María Cristina), chaton earrings, and a dress from The 2nd Skin Co. – exactly the same elements as in the previous portrait.
What ultimately convinced him was visiting the exhibition about Victoria Eugenia at the Royal Collections Gallery. Seeing all that historical legacy of queen consorts—the jewels, the dresses, the official portraits—made him wonder what would remain of Letizia a hundred years from now.
This time, he completely changed his technique. No oil or color, just black and white graphite. Rubio says this allows him to focus directly on what matters: the gaze, the gesture, and the presence, without any other distractions.
The Spanish painter plans to use this portrait as the first in a larger series depicting Letizia as the current Queen.
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