Queen Letizia of Spain has undergone a remarkable transformation since marrying King Felipe VI in 2004, evolving from a television journalist into one of Europe's most stylish royal figures.
The Royal Makeover
The Spanish queen's journey from broadcasting professional to royal consort has seen significant changes in both her wardrobe and appearance. She famously abandoned her television power suits for an elegant, sophisticated royal wardrobe that commands attention at every state occasion.
Her physical transformation began notably in 2008 when she underwent rhinoplasty, officially for medical reasons related to respiratory issues. The procedure altered her appearance so substantially that Madrid's Museo de Cera had to update her waxwork figure to reflect her new likeness.
Recent Beauty Enhancements
Now at 53, Queen Letizia continues to refine her appearance through advanced skincare and precision makeup techniques. During last week's gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, she appeared almost unrecognisable from her early royal days, sporting a sculpted jawline and luminous complexion.
Dr Levin, a skincare specialist at My Skin Ethics in Chelsea, observed that the Queen has achieved an 'exceptionally smooth and luminous' complexion through what appears to be a combination of strategic makeup placement and advanced skincare treatments.
'Her skin looks exceptionally smooth and luminous, which is often the hallmark of a well-curated regimen, including meticulous pre-event skin preparation,' Dr Levin told the Daily Mail.
Fitness and Nutrition Regimen
The Queen's radiant appearance isn't solely due to cosmetic enhancements. She maintains a strict fitness routine that includes cardio workouts and specialist Iyengar yoga, which emphasises precision and alignment while building strength through longer-held poses.
According to her former personal trainer José Ignacio Hernández-Coronado, Letizia also incorporates weight training focusing on bicep and shoulder curls for her famously toned arms.
Her nutritional approach combines Mediterranean principles with elements of the Perricone Diet, focusing on anti-inflammatory foods including salmon, lean proteins, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables. She completely avoids sugar, ready meals, frozen food, and pizza, while also steering clear of coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol.
In 2015, when named a Special Ambassador for Nutrition by the UN, she praised the Mediterranean diet as 'the best example of healthy and sustainable eating.'
Ongoing Evolution
The Queen's transformation has been so pronounced that her waxwork at Madrid's Museo de Cera has been updated twice - first after her 2008 rhinoplasty and again in 2017 to reflect her continuing physical changes.
Gonzalo Presa, the museum's communication director, explained in 2017: 'The physical changes and the passage of time, but above all the physical changes which the monarch has gone through have forced us to remake its physical image.'
Her style evolution extends beyond skincare and fitness. Letizia has transitioned from boxy journalist suits to colourful, feminine ensembles, experimented with hair colours and styles - including a trendy bob in 2015 - and recently begun embracing her natural grey streaks.
As Dr Levin noted: 'For a royal in her 50s, this kind of polished evolution makes complete sense. High-profile women increasingly lean into subtle treatments to look fresher without compromising their natural expression.'
