Queen Letizia of Spain has made history by hiring a secretary for the first time.
The European monarch, 51, and her husband, King Felipe, 56, have appointed María Dolores Ocaña Madrid to the important position, breaking tradition in the royal house.
María, a state lawyer, will assume the position of Letizia’s right-hand woman starting April 30.
It means that for the first time in history a woman will be in charge of the Queen’s Secretariat, sending a message of modernity from the Spanish Royal House.
Maria had already been photographed with the monarch at the inauguration of the World Center for Healthy Eating in Valencia in 2019, showing that the two clearly have a close and long-term bond.
Queen Letizia of Spain has hired María Dolores Ocaña Madrid as her first secretary (pictured together in Valencia in 2019)
He is currently the State Attorney General at the Ministry of Education and previously worked at the Ministry of Agriculture after studying Law at the Complutense University.
Maria will take care of every detail of the Queen’s agenda, in addition to offering advice and accompanying her during her public appearances.
She will take over from General José Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes, who has held the position for more than a decade and is clearly highly trusted by Spanish royalty.
Zuleta, 63, has always been discreetly in the background supporting Letizia at events and began working for the royal household in the mid-90s.
He is the son of José Manuel de Zuleta de Reales y Carvajal, 13th Duke of Abrantes and Virginia Alejandro y García and was appointed head of the Queen’s Secretariat shortly after Felipe became king in 2014.
The change comes alongside a series of changes at Spain’s Zarzuela palace.
María, State lawyer, will assume the position of Letizia’s right hand from April 30
María will take over from General José Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes (pictured with Letizia in 2017), who has held the position for more than a decade.
Zuleta, 63, has always been discreetly in the background to support Letizia at events. In the photo arriving at the Santander Women Now Summit in 2021
King Philip’s own cabinet has undergone a recent reshuffle, as Camilo Villarino was named head of the royal household in January, replacing Jaime Alfonsín, who had served for more than 30 years.
Announcements of the new appointments follow Letizia looking demure as she and her husband, King Felipe, arrived at Fernando Gómez-Acebo’s funeral on Monday.
The royal couple looked somber dressed in navy blue and black as they paid their respects to the king’s cousin at mass at Madrid’s Military Cathedral.
Fernando Gómez-Acebo died at the age of 49 on March 1 due to Covid-19.
He was a first cousin of the Spanish monarch and nephew of King Juan Carlos. He is also the youngest son of Infanta Pilar and Luis Gómez-Acebo.
Felipe and Letizia arrived at the funeral mass to a crowd of waiting royal fans and supporters.
An air of melancholy could be seen around them as they walked hand in hand through the building grounds.
The Spanish royals clearly hold Zuleta in close confidence after being appointed when Felipe came to the throne in 2014 (pictured in 2016).
For the touching occasion, the Queen donned a fitted black dress that featured frayed detailing at the waist and sleeve ends.
The mother of two paired the look with a black leather bag and a stunning pearl brooch.
While the Queen was in mourning, she kept her makeup subtle. Meanwhile, her brunette locks were swept down and rested just above her shoulders.
The King paid his respects to his cousin in a navy blue double-breasted jacket and matching trousers. He paired the suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie.