Letizia breathes new life into a dress that Queen Sofia wore in 1982

The 46-year-old Spanish royal surprised with her outfit during the National Fashion Awards in Madrid, not by wearing something innovative but by bringing back an atemporal design.

Queen Letizia fulfilled one of her most important duties before the end of the year, presiding over the National Fashion Awards (NFA) at the Costume Museum, once again showing her support to her county’s fashion industry.

It is always a challenge for Letizia to choose her look for this yearly event, as she has to be careful not to wear a design by any of the nominees in order to avoid favoritism, while at the same time all eyes will be on her.

Even though the best designers in the country are present in the ceremony, she still makes an effort to wear Spanish designs to show her support every year. Read more on our Twitter account @amomama_usa

For this edition of the NFA Letizia came up with the perfect solution to this dilemma, by bringing back a very special and dear dress, not only because it comes in her favorite color, but because the meaning attached to it.

This is a trend that has also been practiced by Queen Victoria of Sweden, who attended the most recent Nobel Prize gala wearing a dress that her mother had brought to the same event almost 30 years before.

The stunning red dress came straight from her mother-in-law Queen Sofia’s wardrobe, and the 80-year-old was photographed wearing in back in 1980. It featured high neckline, puffed shoulders, banded waistline with a pleated skirt.

Letizia completed the look with a pair of Magrit stilettos also in red and an animal print handbag by Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera. She added a pair of red earrings to the ensemble.

It is not the first time that Letizia pays homage to Felipe IV’s mother by reviving pieces from her wardrobe, as we could see during the private celebration of King Juan Carlos’ 80th birthday back in January.

This is a trend that has also been practiced by Queen Victoria of Sweden, who attended the most recent Nobel Prize gala wearing a dress that her mother had brought to the same event almost 30 years before.

While Letizia started and ended the year in a traditional style that pays homage to her elders and celebrates the past, she caused some controversy in September when she did what was considered a rebellious act against the Catholic Church.

This is a behavior she has been known to show before, and it has brought criticism from the most conservative sectors of the Spanish people, mainly Catholic Christians.