Queen Letizia of Spain is elegant in a chic midi dress as she attends sustainability event in Madrid

Queen Letizia was dressed for business today as she chaired an event in Madrid promoting sustainability.

The royal, 52, did not appear to be accompanied by her husband King Felipe, 56, as she made the public appearance. 

Organised by the BBVA Microfinance Foundation BBVA Microfinance Foundation (FMBBVA), according to the Spanish Royals’ website, the ‘Seeds for a sustainable future’ event was set to ‘highlight the transformative role of cocoa and that of small and medium-sized enterprises in combating poverty, creating employment and facilitating opportunities and progress for people’.

As always, the royal looked immaculate, donning a black and white houndstooth fabric frock, which was both chic and businesslike.

She paired the dress with a full-length black coat which she wore as a cape, simply slung over her shoulders, and black kitten-heeled pointed pumps. 

Letizia opted for a classic make-up look, pairing a fresh, dewy base with a light smokey eye shadow look in brown, and a pink lip.

Her glossy chestnut locks were worn loose, styled into a side parting, and falling past her shoulders.

During the engagement, the royal was snapped giving a speech, looking confident as she took her place at the lectern.

Queen Letizia (pictured) looked elegant as she attended the sustainability event today in Madrid

During her appearance at the event, the Queen gave a speech, looking confident as she spoke at the lectern

She told the audience: ‘This entity has brought us together once again to make us aware that there are currently 3 million people, 3 million small entrepreneurs, who live in the five Latin American countries where this Foundation operates and who get ahead every day because someone believed in them and supported them in their idea of ​​starting a micro-enterprise. 

‘Three million people in vulnerable situations who are progressing and who manage to get an education and whose daughters and sons also have the opportunity to study thanks to the microcredits from the BBVA Microfinance Foundation.’ 

According to the Palace, entrepreneurs Marlon Ferreira, Ana Rodríguez and Constantino Blandford also attended, in order to ‘share how cocoa drives economic, social and cultural development in their countries’.

It noted: ‘In Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Panama, countries where FMBBVA is present, this crop is a source of income for more than 300,000 people, promotes female empowerment and opens opportunities for family education. 

‘In addition, it has played a key role in the transition to peace in Colombian regions affected by the conflict, where coca cultivation has been replaced by cocoa, known as the fruit of peace.’

Today’s appearance comes several days after King Felipe and Queen Letizia were snapped bidding farewell to their daughter Princess Leonor as she embarked on a six-month sailing trip that will take her across the United States.

The royal couple watched proudly as their 19-year-old daughter took part in a departure ceremony before setting sail from Cadiz onboard the Juan Sebastian Elcano for a navy training cruise. 

The future queen looked solemn as she joined her fellow students, all aspiring officers of the Spanish Navy, for the procession before the three-masted sailing ship left the port in Cadiz. 

Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured) looked both elegant and businesslike in her houndstooth frock and kitten heeled pumps

As she walked into the event, the Spanish royal (pictured) wore a long black coat, slung casually over her shoulders 

The stylish royal wore a natural make-up look, and styled her shining chestnut locks into a down do with a side parting

Meanwhile, her parents smiled and waved goodbye, while King Felipe documented the milestone by taking photographs of Leonor. 

The young royal is undertaking a navy training cruise, sailing through two oceans, and visiting 10 ports and eight countries in America, according to La Vanguardia.

She is following in the footsteps of her father, Felipe, and her grandfather, King Juan Carlos, who also carried out a similar trip.

Just two days earlier, the royal couple were again snapped together as they hosted a reception at the Royal Palace.

The reception typically takes place in the new year, which the couple has undertaken annually since King Felipe acceded to the throne in 2014. 

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