FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT FOR DOÑA LETIZIA

Doña Letizia made her first official appearance abroad as the future Princesa de Asturias at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson in Copenhagen last Friday. On the arm of Prince Felipe, who looked very handsome in his naval uniform, and wearing an elegant flame-red dress designed by Madrid couturier Lorenzo Caprile, Doña Letizia wowed the crowd of flag-waving well-wishers as the couple walked up the red carpet to enter the cathedral. The evening before, she took the world by surprise when she abandoned what seem to be her favourite tones of white, grey, black and beige, and appeared in a stunning gown, also by Lorenzo Caprile - an off-the-shoulder top in gold brocade over a vivid slim red skirt. If the Danish wedding was a test of her royal poise, as many commentators believe it was, she passed it with flying colours. With her hair caught up in a chignon and earrings as the only jewellery, simplicity and elegance were the key words. She's obviously had to endure hours of grooming in royal protocol but she has lived up to her reputation as a quick learner. She appeared to be totally at ease and enjoying herself in a low-key royal way so she's either a brilliant actress or her new role in life fits her like a glove. The Spanish RTVE commentator at the wedding was rather surprised that all the women guests were in long dresses and that most of them - except Doña Letizia - wore tiaras, something that protocol in Spain only allows for the highest-ranking women. The Royal household has already made it quite clear that long skirts are out for the Royal wedding in Madrid next Saturday - it will be cocktail dresses for the women and dark suits for the men. Pearls are said to be the favoured jewellery. Meanwhile, security forces in Madrid are taking no chances. They're removing all rubbish receptacles and sealing over drains in the streets anywhere near the royal couple's route, which still has to be announced. They're even checking out the contracts of anyone who has rented an apartment in the area since the engagement was announced last October. But with the memory of the train bombs still so fresh in the memory, it's not surprising they're being so paranoid.