France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron, and Queen Camilla appeared to get along like a house on fire earlier in September, when the duo attended a viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition.
Post-event, the two women were seen holding hands as they exited the venue, proving they'd made firm friends during the course of the visit – and it seems Queen Camilla left a lasting impression on Brigitte, if her latest appearance has anything to go by.
© Getty ImagesTuesday saw Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady make a State Visit to Madrid, standing alongside King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, with Brigitte wearing a Queen Camilla-inspired ensemble.
The 73-year-old looked prettier than ever in a baby pink ensemble, comprising a knee-length dress and matching coat. The first lady's outerwear features a flattering, waist-cinching tan tie at the back, which matched her ultra-high nude stilettos.
© Getty ImagesPink is a colour Queen Camilla has come to favour, wearing a near-identical shade for a March visit from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – perhaps her new friend was inspired by the powdery pink look?
© Getty ImagesWhy pink?
No longer regarded as soft and delicate, part of pink’s power lies in its range, according to HELLO!'s Head of Beauty Cassie Steer, who wrote about the shade earlier this year,
From barely-there blush to electric fuchsia, its nuances speak volumes. "Pink has long been coded as soft, sweet and feminine, but that’s precisely what makes it powerful," says Anita Bhagwandas, journalist and author of ‘Ugly: Why the world became beauty-obsessed and how to break free’, £10.99. "When reclaimed on your own terms, it stops being decorative and starts becoming disruptive – a colour that can signal defiance, visibility and control rather than compliance."
As for the message sent by Brigette and Queen Camilla's baby pink outfits? Once dismissed as too saccharine or soft, even the palest pink has had a 2026 rebrand.
© AFP via Getty Images"For a long time, many women avoided pale pinks because they didn’t want to be seen as ‘girlie’ or unserious,” says Karen Haller, Colour Psychology Expert and author of ‘The Little Book Of Colour: How To Use The Psychology Of Colour To Transform Your Life’ £14.99. "We're seeing a renewed appreciation for softer pinks,” explains Karen. “They’re no longer seen as weak, but as a confident expression of compassion, nurturing, and self-care. I’ve often said, if hugs were a colour, they’d be a soft pink.”
Queen Letizia's high fashion look
We must also take a moment for Queen Letizia's ensemble. Never one to put a foot wrong in the fashion stakes, the Queen of Spain embraced petal power for the occasion, wearing an ice blue dress with pink flowers cascading down from her shoulder. A dramatic necktie completed the statement look.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesUnlike the French First Lady, Queen Letizia opted for low kitten heels for the occasion – just as stylish but with extra comfort – we approve.
