The second of the three gala dinners scheduled for this quarter at the Royal Palace left a stamp marked by elegance, tradition and several symbolic details. On Wednesday, the King and Queen received the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, in an evening that combined historical references, haute cuisine and unexpected music to pay tribute to the German delegation during their state trip to Spain.
Historic tiara returns to the public eye
The expectation revolved largely around the styling of Doña Letizia, who had been six years without wearing the piece that last night became the protagonist: the Cartier tiara. Stored since 2018, the Queen recovered this jewel of enormous symbolic value. The piece, a French design assembled by the Spanish Ansorena, was a gift from the Empress Eugenia de Montijo to Victoria Eugenia, but does not belong to the lot of jewelry to pass. King Juan Carlos bought it from María Cristina de Borbón so that it would remain in the royal jewelry box.
To complete the look, Doña Letizia opted for the chaton earrings, these did belong to the jewelry that Victoria Eugenia left for the queens of Spain. The ensemble returned to the salon the most classic and solemn aesthetics of the monarchy in high protocol events.
A Michelin menu signed by Paco Roncero
The official banquet bore the stamp of chef Paco Roncero, who was in charge of the tasting menu served to the guests. The proposal combined Spanish products with contemporary techniques, starting with salted fish with celery liqueur, Manchego cheese and tomato confit. Next, sea bass with beurre rouge and artichokes was served, followed by a sweet preparation of beet with red fruits and licorice cream.
The reception, which lasted about an hour, was accompanied by the music unit of the Royal Guard. Among the songs played was an unexpected piece for an international gala: “Noelia”, by Nino Bravo, a musical wink that surprised and pleased all those present.
A full day of institutional events
The dinner concluded a particularly intense day for the King and Queen, who accompanied Steinmeier and Büdenbender in various official activities since the morning. In addition to the institutional meetings, there was also an exchange of carefully selected gifts to symbolize the close relationship between the two countries.
The Royal Household explained that the King and Queen presented the presidential couple with a selection of six bottles of extra virgin olive oil, winners of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Food of Spain award. Also included was the book Light of Spain.
Don Felipe offered his German counterpart the work Trails, by the artist Cachito Valdés, while the First Lady received a cloth cape made of certified recycled wool fabric in white and a set of vanity cases made of 100% bovine leather. Institutional correspondence arrived immediately: the King received a nautical artwork by the artist Heinke Böhnert from Hamburg and the Queen, a Christmas pyramid with four plants of a traditional production of the German Ore Mountains.
An evening combining tradition and cultural diplomacy
The gala reflects, once again, the role of the Royal Palace as a stage for cultural and symbolic diplomacy. The recovery of a historical jewel, the participation of a Spanish chef of international prestige and an unexpected musical moment summarized an evening that mixed tradition, modernity and closeness between the two countries.
With this dinner, the King and Queen conclude the second of the three major gala events scheduled for this quarter, at a time of intense institutional activity marked by high-level visits and gestures that seek to strengthen Spain’s presence in the international arena.
