The glamorous TV news anchor who became a queen: Pictures show the stunning wedding of King Felipe and Letizia of Spain 20 years ago today - as the couple celebrate anniversary amidst affair claim
On May 22, 2004, the heir to the Spanish throne married a divorced television journalist.
Well-known news anchor Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano captivated guests as she made her way down the aisle in Madrid's Almudena Cathedral.
Her exquisite Manuel Pertegaz gown, featuring intricate embroidery and a dramatic 15 foot train, was complemented by a veil gifted by her beau, now King Felipe VI of Spain.
To complete her ensemble, the bride wore the magnificent Prussian tiara, previously worn by her mother-in-law, then Queen Sofia, on her wedding day in 1962.
Letizia chose a cascading bouquet of symbolic blooms. Apple blossom represented her home region of Oviedo, while orange blossom paid tribute to her husband's late grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona.
And blue-tinted Hildegarde iris and ivory Elizabethan roses offered a nod to her new husband's royal dynasty, the House of Bourbon.
After they met when Felipe visited the site of an oil spill disaster that Letizia was covering as a journalist, the couple kept their relationship under wraps before announcing their surprise engagement in November 2003.
The grand ceremony the following spring took place just two months after the tragic Madrid train bombings and the couple dedicated their nuptials to the victims of the attack.
Last year, Letizia's former brother-in-law claimed that he had an affair with her after her wedding. Jaime Del Burgo, 53 plans to produce an eight-part TV series to detail the 'truth' about his claims.
But as they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today after sharing sweet family photographs, we reflect on the unforgettable moments shared by one of Europe's most glamorous royal couples.
![On May 22, 2004, the heir to the Spanish throne married a television journalist. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano captivated guests as she made her way down the aisle in Madrid's Almudena Cathedral. Above: The newly wed couple](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093003-13391189-image-a-48_1716197988772.jpg)
On May 22, 2004, the heir to the Spanish throne married a television journalist. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano captivated guests as she made her way down the aisle in Madrid's Almudena Cathedral. Above: The newly wed couple
![Letizia, now the Queen of Spain, presenting the TV news on Televisión Española](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/21/14/85152043-13391189-image-a-31_1716298960380.jpg)
Letizia, now the Queen of Spain, presenting the TV news on Televisión Española
![The newlyweds were greeted with a military salute as they emerged from the cathedral to waiting crowds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093015-13391189-image-a-53_1716198008484.jpg)
The newlyweds were greeted with a military salute as they emerged from the cathedral to waiting crowds
![Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano smiles to crowds as she approaches the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid on her wedding day, May 22, 2004](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85092999-13391189-image-m-62_1716198173436.jpg)
Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano smiles to crowds as she approaches the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid on her wedding day, May 22, 2004
![The bride arrived at the Cathedral alongside her father Jesus Ortiz. She wore an exquisite gown by Manuel Pertegaz boasting a 15 foot train](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85092993-13391189-image-m-59_1716198149956.jpg)
The bride arrived at the Cathedral alongside her father Jesus Ortiz. She wore an exquisite gown by Manuel Pertegaz boasting a 15 foot train
![The young bridesmaids and page boys wore a traditional Spanish dress featuring rich golden hues](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093001-13391189-image-a-47_1716197985648.jpg)
The young bridesmaids and page boys wore a traditional Spanish dress featuring rich golden hues
![Letizia greeted her fiancé in a sweet moment, assisted by bridesmaids, as she arrived at the front of the cathedral](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85092997-13391189-image-m-61_1716198163820.jpg)
Letizia greeted her fiancé in a sweet moment, assisted by bridesmaids, as she arrived at the front of the cathedral
![Crown Prince Felipe of Spain exchanges rings with Letizia in the presence of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093007-13391189-image-a-63_1716198185633.jpg)
Crown Prince Felipe of Spain exchanges rings with Letizia in the presence of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco
![Letizia's cascading bouquet featured blue-tinted lilies, representing the House of Bourbon. It also included apple blossom, offering a nod to the bride's home region of Oviedo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093011-13391189-image-a-51_1716197999742.jpg)
Letizia's cascading bouquet featured blue-tinted lilies, representing the House of Bourbon. It also included apple blossom, offering a nod to the bride's home region of Oviedo
![Letizia topped her look with the magnificent Prussian tiara, previously worn by her mother-in-law, then Queen Sofia, on her wedding day in 1962](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093013-13391189-image-a-52_1716198004094.jpg)
Letizia topped her look with the magnificent Prussian tiara, previously worn by her mother-in-law, then Queen Sofia, on her wedding day in 1962
![The royal couple looked elated as they left the Cathedral in a Rolls-Royce](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85092995-13391189-image-a-60_1716198161415.jpg)
The royal couple looked elated as they left the Cathedral in a Rolls-Royce
![Letizia and Prince Felipe appeared on the Zarzuela Palace's balcony to wave to well-wishers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093009-13391189-image-a-50_1716197996073.jpg)
Letizia and Prince Felipe appeared on the Zarzuela Palace's balcony to wave to well-wishers
![The bride shared a tender moment with one of her young bridesmaids before the official photographs were taken](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093017-13391189-image-a-54_1716198012736.jpg)
The bride shared a tender moment with one of her young bridesmaids before the official photographs were taken
![The bridesmaids help to arrange Letizia's 15 foot train for the couple's portraits](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093019-13391189-image-a-55_1716198016236.jpg)
The bridesmaids help to arrange Letizia's 15 foot train for the couple's portraits
![Letizia and Prince Felipe had kept their relationship under wraps before announcing their surprise engagement in November 2003 and marrying the following spring](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093021-13391189-image-a-56_1716198020735.jpg)
Letizia and Prince Felipe had kept their relationship under wraps before announcing their surprise engagement in November 2003 and marrying the following spring
![Letizia's dazzling engagement ring features 16 baguette diamonds on a wide white gold band](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/10/85093025-13391189-image-a-57_1716198025970.jpg)
Letizia's dazzling engagement ring features 16 baguette diamonds on a wide white gold band
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