Queen Letizia dazzles in blue on the eve of the Princess of Asturias Awards

The King and Queen of Spain traveled to Oviedo today to preside over the 2017 Princess of Asturias Awards. Over the next few days, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will deliver a series of prizes to individuals, entities or companies from around the world who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs.

The Foundation was established in 1980 by the then twelve-year-old Felipe, Prince of Asturias. The annual awards are presented in Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias. Since the accession of Felipe VI as King of Spain, the foundation and the awards were renamed as the Princess of Asturias Foundation in accordance with the new heir to the Spanish throne, Leonor, Princess of Asturias.

On the eve of the official award ceremonies, Their Majesties attended an orchestral concert.

We expected to see Her Majesty in a black Felipe Varela number like she has donned for the past three years since attending in her role as Queen consort.

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But this evening she stepped out in a contemporary peacock blue dress, with a silhouette reminiscent of a ballroom gown.

The Spanish Queen did however remain faithful to the fashion house of her head designer, Felipe Varela. The midi dress is fashioned with a fitted sleeveless bodice, round neck, drop-waist and a flared pleated skirt.

Letizia outfitted the dress with her black Tod's rhinestone toggle clutch and navy Nina Ricci suede pumps.

Tonight we saw the return of the glittering Yanes blue topaz chandelier earrings which have not been seen since Letizia first wore them for the wedding of Prince Nicolas of Greece with Tatiana Blatnik in 2010.

Image source: casareal.es

Letizia also accessorized with the joyas de pasar diamond bracelets stacked on one arm for maximum glitz. The bracelets are a legacy from Queen Victoria Eugenie "Ena" of Spain and part of the collection of jewels designated by Ena in her will for the exclusive use of Spanish queens.