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King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed Pope Leo XIV this morning to mark Spain’s first papal visit in 15 years.

After greeting him at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, the royal couple escorted the Pontiff to the Royal Palace of Madrid for a welcome ceremony.

For the celebratory occasion, Letizia wore an all-white outfit, the centerpiece of which was a modest A-line dress that featured long sleeves, a belted waist, and floral lace. She capped off the look with white pointed-toe slingbacks and delicate stud earrings.

madrid, spain june 06 editor note strictly editorial use only no merchandising queen letizia of spain, pope leo xiv and king felipe vi of spain pose during a welcome ceremony at royal palace on june 06, 2026 in madrid, spain pope leo xiv is making an apostolic journey to spain from june 6–12, marking the first papal visit to the country since benedict xvi visited in 2011 during the trip pope leo travels to madrid, barcelona, and the canary islands of gran canaria and tenerife many of his planned engagements center on issues around marginalized people, youth, and migrants, alongside meetings with the spanish royals, government figures, and church officials a highlight of the itinerary sees pope leo inaugurate the recently completed tower of jesus christ spire at the basílica de la sagrada familia in barcelona, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the architect antoni gaudís death photo by elisabetta trevisan vatican media via vatican poolgetty images

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Although women are traditionally required to wear black clothing during formal occasions with the Pope, Letizia is one of few royal women in the world who has been granted “le privilège du blanc” or “the privilege of the white,” which grants her the ability to wear white clothing during meetings with the Pope. She previously invoked this same privilege at Pope Leo’s 2025 inauguration, where she wore a white Redondo Brand midi dress and a white lace-trimmed veil.

The only other royal women who also have the privilege of the white are Letizia’s mother-in-law Queen Sofia, Belgium’s Queen Paola and Queen Mathilde, Luxeumbourg’s Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Naples’s Princess Marina, and Monaco’s Princess Charlene.

As for the king, Felipe welcomed the Pope in a classic black suit paired with a white dress shirt and a gold tie.

madrid, spain june 06 king felipe vi and queen letizia attend the welcoming ceremony for pope leo xiv at the royal palace, 6 june 2026, in madrid, spain the reception brings together the highest authorities of the state and the catholic church in spain and marks the official start of the pontiffs agenda in the country photo by alberto ortegaeuropa press via getty images

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Inside the Royal Palace, Letizia and Felipe’s daughters—Princess Leonor, 20, and Infanta Sofía, 19—joined the group. The royal sisters matched in black long-sleeved midi dresses, which they both paired with black pointed-toe pumps.

madrid, spain june 06 editor note strictly editorial use only no merchandising princess sofia of spain, crown princess leonor of spain, queen letizia of spain, pope leo xiv and king felipe vi of spain attend a welcome ceremony with his holiness the pope leo xiv in welcome ceremony at royal palace on june 06, 2026 in madrid, spain pope leo xiv is making an apostolic journey to spain from june 6–12, marking the first papal visit to the country since benedict xvi visited in 2011 during the trip pope leo travels to madrid, barcelona, and the canary islands of gran canaria and tenerife many of his planned engagements center on issues around marginalized people, youth, and migrants, alongside meetings with the spanish royals, government figures, and church officials a highlight of the itinerary sees pope leo inaugurate the recently completed tower of jesus christ spire at the basílica de la sagrada familia in barcelona, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the architect antoni gaudís death photo by simone risoluti vatican media via vatican poolgetty images

Vatican Pool//Getty Images

madrid, spain june 06 king felipe vi of spain, queen letizia of spain, crown princess leonor of spain and princess sofia of spain attend a welcome ceremony with his holiness the pope leo xiv at the royal palace on june 06, 2026 in madrid, spain pope leo xiv is making an apostolic journey to spain from june 6–12, marking the first papal visit to the country since benedict xvi visited in 2011 during the trip pope leo travels to madrid, barcelona, and the canary islands of gran canaria and tenerife many of his planned engagements center on issues around marginalized people, youth, and migrants, alongside meetings with the spanish royals, government figures, and church officials a highlight of the itinerary sees pope leo inaugurate the recently completed tower of jesus christ spire at the basílica de la sagrada familia in barcelona, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the architect antoni gaudí's death photo by carlos alvarezgetty images

Carlos Alvarez//Getty Images

During his week-long visit to Spain, Pope Leo will meet with several political and ecclesial leaders across Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.