On August 4, 2025, Princess Leonor of Spain, the 19-year-old heir to the Spanish throne, made a striking debut at the annual royal summer reception at Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca. Accompanied by her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, her younger sister, Infanta Sofía, and her grandmother, Queen Sofía, the Princess of Asturias captivated attendees and royal watchers alike. For this milestone event, Leonor borrowed a chic off-the-shoulder maxi dress from her mother’s wardrobe, previously worn by Queen Letizia at the same event in 2023. While the dress exuded regal elegance, one subtle detail ensured that Leonor’s look remained fresh and youthful, avoiding彼此

A Milestone Royal Debut

The annual reception at Marivent Palace, the Spanish royal family’s summer residence in Mallorca, is a significant event on the royal calendar, attended by prominent figures such as Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. This year’s gathering marked the first time that Princess Leonor and her 18-year-old sister, Infanta Sofía, officially joined their parents to welcome local authorities and Balearic society members. The event, attended by over 500 guests, was a public display of the royal family’s commitment to their summer tradition in Mallorca, a practice dating back to the 1970s when the palace was gifted to former King Juan Carlos I.

For Princess Leonor, the occasion was not only a debut but also an opportunity to showcase her evolving sense of style as she steps into her role as the future queen. Having recently returned from a six-month naval training voyage with the Spanish Navy, Leonor is preparing for her eventual ascension to the throne, a role that will make her Spain’s first queen regnant in over 150 years, following Isabella II’s reign from 1833 to 1868. Her appearance at Marivent Palace was a moment to demonstrate both her regal presence and her personal style, drawing inspiration from her fashion-forward mother, Queen Letizia.

Borrowing from a Queen’s Closet

Princess Leonor’s choice of attire for the reception was a blue and white off-the-shoulder maxi dress from the Desigual x Stella Jean collection, a piece that Queen Letizia wore to the same event in 2023. The dress, featuring a vibrant print of giraffes, peacocks, and palm trees, perfectly captured the Mediterranean vibe of Mallorca. Its ruffled, off-the-shoulder design and flowing silhouette created a graceful, summery look that suited the outdoor setting. Leonor complemented the dress with a pair of navy Calzados Picon espadrille wedges, aptly named “Letizia” wedges, which her mother had worn in July 2020. She styled her blonde hair in a sleek ponytail with two loose strands framing her face, adding a touch of softness to the ensemble, and accessorized with simple gold earrings.

Queen Letizia, known for her impeccable style, opted for a classic white midi dress by Spanish designer Tony Bonet, paired with gold leather Calzados Picon espadrilles and floral-shaped gold earrings. Infanta Sofía, meanwhile, chose a pink tie-dye satin midi dress from Zara, paired with beige Macarena Java34 wedges, reflecting her own youthful flair. The Spanish royal women’s shared preference for espadrille wedges highlighted their cohesive yet individual style, aligning with a broader royal trend seen in figures like Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh.

The Detail That Kept It Youthful

While borrowing a dress from her mother’s wardrobe could have risked making Leonor appear older than her 19 years, one key detail ensured her look remained youthful and fresh: her choice of navy espadrille wedges. Unlike the white wedges Queen Letizia paired with the dress in 2023, Leonor’s darker navy shoes, borrowed from her mother’s collection, added a modern, grounded touch to the outfit. The navy hue contrasted with the dress’s vibrant blue and white print, creating a balanced look that felt less formal and more age-appropriate. Fashion expert Juan Avellaneda, commenting on the outfit, noted that the navy wedges provided a “greater elongation” to Leonor’s silhouette, enhancing the dress’s elegance without overwhelming her youthful presence. He praised the choice as a smart way to maintain “freshness” while honoring the symbolic unity of wearing her mother’s dress.

Avellaneda further highlighted the sustainability message behind Leonor’s decision to rewear her mother’s dress, calling it a “powerful message of generational unity, meaningful heritage, and respect for the planet.” The navy wedges, combined with her minimal jewelry and simple ponytail, ensured that the look was “natural and very Balearic,” connecting with the island’s relaxed, summery aesthetic. Stylist Pilar Lara echoed this sentiment, noting that while the dress’s cut might not fully flatter Leonor’s frame, the navy footwear was a strategic choice that kept the ensemble harmonious and youthful.

A Pattern of Mother-Daughter Style

This was not the first instance of Leonor borrowing from Queen Letizia’s wardrobe. In July 2025, at the Princess of Girona Awards in Barcelona, Leonor donned a shimmering navy jacquard suit by Bleis Madrid, paired with her mother’s diamond drop earrings, marking a shift from her usual bright dresses to a more tailored, mature look. Similarly, in 2022, she wore a Carolina Herrera blazer and gold bamboo earrings from Letizia’s collection for a solo outing at the Red Cross Spanish headquarters. Queen Letizia has also reciprocated this style-sharing tradition, notably wearing a $40 red ikat-patterned shirtdress by Dándara in 2022, just a month after Leonor debuted it, and a pink floral dress previously owned by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofía.

This mother-daughter wardrobe exchange reflects a deeper bond and a shared commitment to sustainable fashion. Letizia, a former journalist turned royal style icon, is known for recycling favorite pieces and borrowing from family members, a practice Leonor has embraced as she steps into the public eye. Their coordinated outfits, such as the matching power suits at the Princess of Girona Awards or the shared use of espadrilles, highlight a stylistic synergy that resonates with royal watchers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

Social Media and Expert Reactions

Leonor’s appearance in her mother’s dress sparked significant buzz on social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where users praised the outfit’s connection to Mallorca’s island aesthetic and Leonor’s growing personal style. The dress’s vibrant print and off-the-shoulder design were lauded for their summery elegance, with many noting the symbolic weight of Leonor wearing a piece previously donned by Queen Letizia at the same event. The choice of navy wedges was frequently highlighted as a standout detail, with comments emphasizing how they modernized the look and kept it youthful.

Fashion blogs and media outlets, such as Tatler and HELLO!, celebrated the outfit as a testament to Leonor’s evolving role as a future queen. Town & Country noted that the dress and wedges were a “fashionable moment of déjà vu” for the mother-daughter duo, while Marie Claire emphasized Leonor’s ability to draw inspiration from Letizia’s “enviable style” without losing her own identity. The consensus was clear: Leonor’s subtle tweak to her mother’s look—most notably the navy wedges—ensured she appeared regal yet relatable, a fitting balance for a 19-year-old preparing to lead Spain’s monarchy.

A Broader Context of Royal Duty

Leonor’s debut at Marivent Palace comes at a busy time in her royal and military training. Having completed a six-month voyage on the Spanish Navy’s training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano in July 2025, she is now preparing for her final year of military training at the San Javier Air Force Academy in Murcia. Her recent engagements, including the Princess of Girona Awards, the Copa Del Rey Mapfre Sailing Cup, and a Joan Miró exhibition in Mallorca, reflect her growing public presence. These duties, combined with her fashion choices, underscore her preparation to become Spain’s first queen regnant since the 19th century.

Queen Letizia, meanwhile, continues to set a high sartorial standard, often compared to the Princess of Wales for her polished tailoring and trend-conscious choices. Her influence on Leonor is evident not only in shared clothing but also in the confidence and poise the young princess displays at public events. The Marivent Palace reception, attended by figures like Rafael Nadal, was a moment for Leonor to shine, blending familial tradition with her own emerging style.

Conclusion

Princess Leonor’s debut at the Marivent Palace reception was a defining moment, both for her role as the future queen and for her evolving fashion sense. By borrowing Queen Letizia’s off-the-shoulder Desigual x Stella Jean dress, she paid homage to her mother’s style while making the look her own with the crucial addition of navy espadrille wedges. This single detail ensured that the 19-year-old appeared youthful and modern, avoiding the risk of looking prematurely mature in her mother’s gown. As Leonor continues to navigate her royal duties and military training, her fashion choices—guided by Letizia’s influence and her own instincts—signal a princess ready to step into her historic role with elegance and individuality.