In more recent times, Queen Sofia has turned to Spanish dressmakers for her wardrobe, for political and family reasons. On occasion, she will reach into her closet for an older Valentino, and there are scattered examples of her doing so throughout the early 2000s.
Note: Photos courtesy of Foro Dinastias, old magazine articles from Hola, Paris Match and Vanity Fair and Valentino’s Alta Moda Archive.
Sofia chose a Valentino red for the visit of Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni in 2009.
Sofia wore an iconic soft pink for Victoria and Daniel wedding in Sweden back in 2010. It was from Valentino’s last collection. And later that year she wore a stunning suit for the concert that celebrated her 70th anniversary. Click through the slideshow for both outfits.
Queen Sofia doesn’t like extravagant patterns but she wore this floral Valentino in 2008 to honour the President of Mexico. From the same collection is the soft pink floral she wore when she welcomed the President of Pakistan (second outfit in the slideshow).
She looked stunning with the silver dress for the Russian state visit in 2006, one of the best outfits of Queen Sofia ever.
I could go on, there’re many more Valentino dresses, enough to fill a museum, but I wanted to finish with some formal day clothes, they aren’t gala dresses but still amazing.
And the last official pictures of Queen Sofia wearing a purple Valentino too.
Hofdame Note: 2020 and the very beginning of 2021 have been challenging in so many ways. The hofdames want to thank Iselen from the bottom of their hearts for making it more bearable with her fascinating series on the Spanish royals and their designers. I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope Iselen has more ideas up her sleeves for 2021! In the meantime, next week we’ll check out a Spanish designer who is responsible for one of the most royal wedding gowns ever.