Royal Madrid

I decided to save this part of Madrid for its own separate post. For those of you who don't know this already about me, I am obsessed with European royal history - specifically British royal history - but also modern day royalty. Name a European country and I can rattle off the current or former royal family, including Spain's. So when I knew we were headed to Madrid, there were two spots that shot to the top of my list - the royal palace and Almudena Cathedral.

Christy Dawn dress (sold out, available in black), Chloé Drew bag, Aquazzura flats (also available in white), Illesteva sunglasses

Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressI don't know what it is about royal history that makes me love it so much, but alas I do and that's something that makes me "me". In 2004, I was pretty much stalking every article in the paper and online of the Danish royal wedding of the Crown Prince (since I am half Danish), only to discover that Spain's Crown Prince was also about to get married just one week after Denmark's royal couple. That's when I learned more about the Spanish royal family, including current King Felipe VI and his queen, Letizia. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressThe royal palace is stunning and also incredibly massive. I had seen photos and videos of it from the royal wedding as well as the coronation of King Felipe VI, but I was even more impressed with it in person. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid PalaceWhat took my breath away was Almudena Cathedral. This is where the royal wedding took place in 2004, when former television journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wed the future king of Spain. As a recent bride myself, I even walked up the aisle to get an idea of what she did when she walked up the aisle to marry her prince. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralThe A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralFor our day exploring royal Madrid, I wore a dress that made me feel like a princess myself. I discovered LA-based designer Christy Dawn a few months ago when browsing for honeymoon looks and instantly fell in love with her designs (in fact, I've brought two of her dresses along on my Europe trip!). Just like my wedding gown designer, Christy Dawn's pieces are designed and made in Los Angeles. Being an LA girl myself, I like knowing that I've brought a piece of home with me abroad. Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen Dress I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it. The sleeves are what sold me, as I am a huge fan of balloon sleeves. But I also hardly ever turn away from standout floral designs, and this dress is made from a beautiful floral fabric. Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen Dress Christy Dawn dress (black version - also similar versions here and here) // Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses // Aquazzura flats (also in white) // Chloé Drew bag

I decided to save this part of Madrid for its own separate post. For those of you who don’t know this already about me, I am obsessed with European royal history – specifically British royal history – but also modern day royalty. Name a European country and I can rattle off the current or former royal family, including Spain’s. So when I knew we were headed to Madrid, there were two spots that shot to the top of my list – the royal palace and Almudena Cathedral.

Christy Dawn dress (sold out, available in black), Chloé Drew bag, Aquazzura flats (also available in white), Illesteva sunglasses

Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressI don’t know what it is about royal history that makes me love it so much, but alas I do and that’s something that makes me “me”. In 2004, I was pretty much stalking every article in the paper and online of the Danish royal wedding of the Crown Prince (since I am half Danish), only to discover that Spain’s Crown Prince was also about to get married just one week after Denmark’s royal couple. That’s when I learned more about the Spanish royal family, including current King Felipe VI and his queen, Letizia. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressThe royal palace is stunning and also incredibly massive. I had seen photos and videos of it from the royal wedding as well as the coronation of King Felipe VI, but I was even more impressed with it in person. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid PalaceWhat took my breath away was Almudena Cathedral. This is where the royal wedding took place in 2004, when former television journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wed the future king of Spain. As a recent bride myself, I even walked up the aisle to get an idea of what she did when she walked up the aisle to marry her prince. The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralThe A List blog Miss USA 2011 Palacio Real Madrid Palace Almudena CathedralFor our day exploring royal Madrid, I wore a dress that made me feel like a princess myself. I discovered LA-based designer Christy Dawn a few months ago when browsing for honeymoon looks and instantly fell in love with her designs (in fact, I’ve brought two of her dresses along on my Europe trip!). Just like my wedding gown designer, Christy Dawn’s pieces are designed and made in Los Angeles. Being an LA girl myself, I like knowing that I’ve brought a piece of home with me abroad. Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen Dress I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it. The sleeves are what sold me, as I am a huge fan of balloon sleeves. But I also hardly ever turn away from standout floral designs, and this dress is made from a beautiful floral fabric. Alyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen DressAlyssa Campanella The A List blog Miss USA 2011 Madrid Christy Dawn Bergen Dress Christy Dawn dress (black version – also similar versions here and here) // Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses // Aquazzura flats (also in white) // Chloé Drew bag

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Comments

  1. Sharon

    So amazing you were following the Danish Royals in 2004. As Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was a born an Australian (like me), and living in Sydney when she met Crown Prince Frederik, I kept the very first article in the Newspaper that broke the story of their romance. I have an entire scrap book of all the articles I could find from their courtship, and another 8 (maybe more, I should do a re-count) of all articles I have found since then. Adding more almost weekly. I have studied England’s royals (past and present) since I was 9. Proven so hard to find anyone who shares my passions for this topic.
    P.S. The dress is really lovely and looks fantastic on you.

  2. Penni Weston

    What a stunning and perfect outfit! Love the whole thing.

  3. Bryn Bradsher

    I have this dress, too and love how you styled it! It’s such a gorgeous piece! It’s perfect for walking around such a royal setting!

    xo Bryn
    http://www.waketonroad.com

  4. Ida Pahus

    I’m pretty impressed by your interest in the royal families! Mary’s wedding dress was so beautiful-love her style!
    And your style is pretty great as well Alyssa 😉

    http://livelifefullyalive.com/

    • The A List

      I was actually torn between Kate Middleton’s dress and Crown Princess Mary’s wedding dress for my own wedding gown. I thought Mary’s was so unique and I loved the neckline.

  5. Claudine

    Your dress is so amazing! I love the floral print and the silhouette, gorgeous with the bag and the shoes!
    I´m really impressed that you are interested in our european royalties and their history! So nice!
    And your photos of the cathedral are really beautiful!

    xo
    Claudine
    http://www.claudinesroom.com

  6. Thayris

    Hi Alyssa,
    All this talk about European royals made wonder if you heard about the The Selection series of books.
    It’s from Kiera Cass and I really think you would love the story if you read it.
    This dress is amazing!
    I’m from Brazil, and I’m waiting you to come visit me!
    All the love! <3

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