On May 22, 2004, Queen Letizia’s wedding dress was finally revealed. Not only was it a big day because she was marrying King Felipe, but everyone was also eager to see her dress.
The mystery lasted a bit longer as the first glimpses of Letizia on her wedding day were from inside a car.
She couldn’t walk from the Royal Palace to the Almudena Cathedral with her father, Jesús Ortiz, because it was raining.
Instead, she arrived in a car, giving only a hint of her dress, which was fully revealed a few minutes later.
Queen Letizia looked stunning in her wedding dress designed by Manuel Pertegaz.
The dress was princess-style with a high collar and silver and gold thread embroidery featuring the Bourbon emblem, which also adorned her skirt.
It had a 4.5-meter-long train and a 16-meter-wide diameter. The dress was said to cost US$49,000, but Letizia didn’t have to pay because the designer gifted it to her.
However, she chose to pay a symbolic amount of US$6,500.
Royal Wedding Dresses
Letizia’s wedding dress became so popular that it inspired many others.
Over the past 20 years, several women, have drawn inspiration from her iconic look.
Here are some notable wedding dresses influenced by Queen Letizia’s gown.
Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress
Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, wore a dress that reminded many of Queen Letizia’s for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Kate’s dress also highlighted the neckline and featured long sleeves, though hers were sheer.
The hem of her skirt had beautiful embroidery, ending in an impressive train, much like Letizia’s.
Eugenie of York’s Wedding Dress
Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos of the British brand Peter Pilotto, also shared some similarities with Queen Letizia’s dress.
Although different in style, both dresses featured long sleeves and emphasized the shoulder and neckline area, recalling Letizia’s look from 14 years earlier.
Meghan Markle’s Wedding Dress
Meghan Markle’s wedding dress differed from Queen Letizia’s, but there was a special detail connecting both designs.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wore a veil with intricate embroidery, much like Letizia.
Meghan’s veil featured flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, while Letizia’s embroidery paid homage to the Bourbon family.
Queen Letizia’s wedding dress continues to set trends and will likely do so for years to come.
Its elegance, timeless appeal, and unique details keep inspiring brides, including famous ones whose wedding looks are widely discussed.