Infanta Sofia towers over mom Letizia and sister Leonor in surprising footwear


The 19-year-old college student reunited with her family for an engagement in Spain


Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain and Princess Sofia of Spain attend the XXXVI Princess of Asturias Concert at the Principe Felipe Auditorium on October 22, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. © Getty Images
Alexandra Hurtado
Alexandra HurtadoUS Royal News CorrespondentNew York
1 hour ago

Infanta Sofia of Spain stepped up her footwear game for the 34th Princess of Asturias Awards Concert, trading her go-to flats for heels. The younger daughter of Queen Letizia and King Felipe opted for a navy pair sling backs for the family outing on Thursday evening. Sofia's appearance marks one of the first times she's been publicly seen in heels, though she has previously worn heeled wedges. 

One X account wrote, translated to English: "Today's day will go down in history because they've finally allowed Infanta Sofía to wear heels." Meanwhile, another posted in Spanish that Sofia's appearance was "one of the first times we've seen Infanta Sofía wearing heels!!!"

Sofia, who wore a sleeveless royal blue dress by Spanish brand Miphai, towered over her mother and older sister Princess Leonor at the concert. Like her younger daughter, the Queen also made a fashion statement, stepping out in a caped blouse from the new Elie Saab x H&M collection for the occasion, which she teamed with Sybilla trousers. Leonor, who is the honorary president of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, looked business chic dressed in an all-black ensemble. 

Infanta Sofia made a rare appearance in heels on October 22© Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Infanta Sofia made a rare appearance in heels on October 22

The King, Queen and their two daughters presided over the concert in Oviedo on the eve of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards.

With Sofia studying abroad, Thursday was a reunion for the Spanish royal family. The Infanta is currently in her second year at Forward College. She spent her first year studying in Lisbon, Portugal, where she lived with other students, before relocating to Paris, France for her sophomore year. She is set to wrap her studies in Berlin, Germany next year.

"I think one key element that really defines Forward College is that we are very international. We started as an international institution," Boris Walbaum, president and founder of Forward College, has previously told HELLO!. "We started recruiting students from all over Europe first, and now from all over the world. I think people understand, and especially people in leadership positions, in politics and business also, understand that the issues that we are facing are international. And especially young people."

While Sofia is a sophomore in college, her older sister Leonor began her university studies last month after completing three years of military training. The Princess of Asturias is now a student at Carlos III University of Madrid. 

Sofia towered over her older sister Leonor© Getty Images
Sofia towered over her older sister Leonor

The Spanish royals won't have to wait long for their next reunion. They will appear together again on Friday for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony. Then, on Saturday, the royals will visit Llanes for the presentation of the "Exemplary Village of Asturias 2026" Award. The outing on October 24 will take place just a week before a special milestone, as Princess Leonor prepares to celebrate her 21st birthday on October 31.

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