Former TV newsreader Letizia Ortiz will break royal tradition when she is crowned the Queen of Spain.
As the wife of Crown Prince Felipe de Bourbon – who is set to become King of Spain after the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos – Ortiz is just moments away from sitting beside her husband on the throne as Queen.
Ortiz was born on September 15, 1972, in the northern city of Oviedo and her mother, Paloma Rocasolano, worked as a nurse at a Madrid hospital while her father, Jesus Ortiz, was a prominent journalist.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Ortiz studied communications at Madrid’s Complutense University and then took on a Masters degree in broadcast journalism.
After several years working Ortiz eventually became a well-known face in Spain as the evening news presenter for the national station TVE. It was while she was covering the Prestige oil tanker disaster, along the north west coast in November 2002, that she first met Felipe, Prince of Asturias.
They began dating secretly for many months before eventually announcing their engagement in November, 2003.
The relationship shocked many since Ortiz was not of royal descent and also because she was a divorcee who seemed independent and freethinking.
The couple married in a rain soaked royal ceremony in 2004 and post nuptials the former journalist found it difficult to win the affection of the public who often commented that she seemed cold and uninterested at public events.
However, in February 2007 Litizia’s younger sister Ericka, 31, took her own life and the Princess received an outpouring of support.
After ten years of marriage the royal couple have two children, Leonor and Sofía and live in a residence located near the Palace of Zarzuela.
Letizia Ortiz is now a much-loved figure in Spain – her down-to-earth attitude and her elegant dress sense has made her a national treasure.
Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. The casual style of the Princess has been well-received by style commentators around the world.
The Princess opted for a white shirt and flared skirt for an event at Zarzuela Palace last month.
The former journalist is a fan of tailored jackets and suits.
Princess Letizia wore a woven jacket to the Volleyball Spanish Scholarship competition.
The Princess looked stunning in a white shirt and skirt, paired with caramel shoes as she received representatives of the ‘Fundacion Sindrome de Down’.
An off-the-shoulder black dress was a beautiful choice for the future Queen.
Princess Letizia wore a beautiful black coat to the ‘Rare Diseases World Day’ event at senate.
The royal looked lovely in an another trench coat with leopard print detailing.
The Princess manages to always look immaculate during her royal duties.
A stunning navy and white dress is worn by the Princess.
The soon-to-be Queen looked radiant in red at the Spanish National Sports Awards ceremony at El Pardo Palace.
Princess Letizia looks stunning in white at the Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Key to the City Presentation in November 2013 in Miami.
The Princess chose a white and black dress with sequins for The Royal Academy of Language income act for Carme Riera on November 7, 2013 in Madrid.
The Princess wore a jumpsuit to the ‘Francisco Cerecedo Journalism Award’ ceremony with her husband.
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Princess Letizia looks well-adapted to royalty, often wearing dress to the knee and tailored jackets.
The future Queen looks divine in leopard print and black at Zarzuela Palace last year in Madrid, Spain.
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