Princess Leonor, 20, suffers awkward tie mix-up as dad King Felipe comes to the rescue – watch

LEAVE A COMMENT Princess Leonor suffered a brief wardrobe malfunction during Spain's National Day celebrations on Monday.

The heir to the throne, 20, was rescued by her father, King Felipe, after an important insignia fell off her tie and onto the ground.

Leonor accidentally dropped her Order of the Golden Fleece before asking the King for permission to retrieve it from the ground, as is typical protocol.

Once in the royal box, King Felipe and Leonor shared a giggle as he helped her to reattach it.

The Order of the Golden Fleece was bestowed upon Leonor by her father in 2018, representing the highest decoration and order of chivalry granted by the Spanish Royal Household.

Monday's ceremony marked the first time Leonor has participated in the ceremony since completing her military training and starting as a student at Carlos III University of Madrid, where she's studying political science.

Princess Leonor wore her khaki army uniform – the same one she wore in 2013 when she first participated as a cadet from the General Military Academy of Zaragoza.

On her tunic, she displayed the insignia of the Order of Charles III, as well as the Grand Crosses of Military Merit, Naval Merit, and Aeronautical Merit, all with white distinction.

However, her uniform, that of a second lieutenant in the army, was slightly different from her father's, as he was wearing the full dress uniform of the Air Force.

King Felipe and Princess Leonor played a central role in Monday's event, laying a laurel wreath next to the standard as a sign of remembrance and recognition for those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

They were joined by Queen Letizia in a pink dress from Spanish brand The 2nd Skin Co, and Leonor's younger sister, 19-year-old Infanta Sofia, who wore a bold red double-breasted suit from Tommy Hilfiger.

National Day brings together the highest authorities of the State each year and pays tribute to the Armed Forces.

The annual event is attended by senior members of the royal family and features a military parade, music, a parade, and an official reception at the Royal Palace.

Another standout moment from Monday's parade saw an unexpected proposal.

A member of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) took advantage of the moments before the parade began to propose to his girlfriend.

"She said yes," the happy groom told Telemadrid cameras, HELLO!'s sister paper, HOLA! reported.

The proposal added a romantic touch to a morning marked by the solemnity of the National Day celebrations.

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