Queen Letizia was left in a briefly awkward moment with her hand outstretched after her handshake was ignored at a Palace reception on Monday.
The Spanish Queen, 54, joined her husband, King Felipe, and daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia to greet ambassadors, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, at the Royal Palace in Madrid during National Day.
The four royals welcomed ambassadors and representatives from Ceuta and Melilla – where the Spanish royals are undertaking an official visit this week – individually by shaking their hands in turn.
However, one ambassador did not shake hands with Letizia, Leonor, or Sofia, leaving the Queen briefly confused, with her hand still outstretched.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesThe man, believed to be Reza Zabib, the Iranian ambassador in Spain, clasped his hands and bowed his head to each royal as he passed by instead.
Why did the ambassador not shake hands with Queen Letizia?
Though some fans commented on social media that the handshake refusal demonstrated a "lack of respect", it's believed the handshake was declined for religious and cultural reasons.
In fact, Iranian custom dictates that a man should not shake hands with a woman unless she extends the arm first.
However, he may still choose to refuse to shake hands in this instance.
© Getty ImagesIn 2023, Letizia and the then-Iranian ambassador, Hassan Ghashghavi, also didn't shake hands with one another at the reception.
However, on the previous occasion, the royal appeared to have been informed in advance and did not extend her hand after he greeted King Felipe.
While some royal watchers called the moment a "snub", Letizia was merely obeying protocol, with both parties following patterns of formal respect for one another.
Queen Letizia's Barbie pink outfit for National Day
Queen Letizia looked so glamorous in a pastel pink flared dress with three-quarter-length sleeves from Spanish brand The 2nd Skin Co, paired with chocolate kitten heels.
The 54-year-old European monarch added a black clutch bag and left her darker brown locks loose with a light wave.
© Getty ImagesLetizia chose one of the most meaningful brooches from the royal family's collection, a large grey pearl surrounded by a halo of diamonds.
It once belonged to Queen Victoria Eugenia and is used exclusively by Spain's Queens.
© WireImageElsewhere on National Day, where the Spanish royal family pays tribute to the Armed Forces, Princess Leonor suffered a slightly awkward mishap after her Order of the Golden Fleece fell off her tie.
After asking permission from her father, King Felipe, to retrieve it, the 20-year-old royal laughed off the incident and reattached it once back in the royal box.
