The Kings Before the Photograph Taken by Annie Leibovitz

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia had the opportunity this Wednesday to admire, alongside Annie Leibovitz, the portraits of themselves that the American photographer created for the Bank of Spain. These portraits, unveiled at the end of November last year, will now join their gallery of official portraits. The King particularly commented on the effect of the light entering through the window, illuminating the Gasparini Hall of the Royal Palace where the photo session took place. This light is evident in the Queen's portrait and appears more subdued in the area where the King's image was captured.

After nine months of anticipation, the Bank of Spain presented the much-awaited portrait of King Felipe and Queen Letizia by Annie Leibovitz on November 26. The monarchs posed in February at the Royal Palace before the prestigious lens of the award-winning artist, who received the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities in 2013. The session was surrounded by secrecy to prevent any images from leaking. Now that they have seen the results firsthand, the King remarked that it is not their place to judge the outcome, while the Queen responded with a smile and a question: "What do you think?"

The work consists of a diptych with printed photographs, created using UV-drying inks on primed polyester canvas. These powerful images are now part of Spain's history, where Queen Letizia chose to enhance art with more art, selecting a unique piece by Cristóbal Balenciaga for the royal pose. The attire is a fitted black gala dress, draped, with an honour neckline and a voluminous tulle finish. The mother of Princess Leonor completed the ensemble with a voluminous red wild silk shawl, adding a touch of colour and personality.

The design belongs to the private collection of Antoni de Montpalau, a foundation established by Josep Casamartina i Parassols and Anna M. Casanova. It boasts a collection of over 6,000 pieces, including dresses, accessories, fabrics, drawings, photographs, and documents. This institution participated in the documentary 'Balenciaga in Barcelona: A Hidden Footprint' and aims to preserve and promote the work of the great names of Spanish Haute Couture who chose Barcelona as their central hub. Among them, besides Balenciaga, are Manuel Pertegaz, who designed Queen Letizia's wedding dress; Carmen Mir; Santa Eulalia; and Pedro Rodríguez, among others.

Meanwhile, King Felipe is dressed in the full-dress uniform of Captain General of the Army. This uniform, with a navy blue tunic and gold buttons, is tailored with a red sash distinguishing him as the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, a uniform seen in other official portraits.

Although the Kings pose separately, both are in the Gasparini Hall, the room where the King dressed and received audiences. It is lavishly decorated with designs by Mattia Gasparini, the court painter of Charles III, who gives the room its name. Bronzes, cabinetry, French candelabras, and the Pastor Clock are part of the composition the American photographer has created for the Kings of Spain.