Nearly a decade after the controversial child wax statue from 2014, the heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, finally has an adult version at the Madrid Wax Museum. Unveiled in mid-February, the statue recreates the historic moment of her 18th-birthday constitutional oath ceremony. Despite meticulous attention to detail, from clothing to accessories, to closely resemble the original, the work is still receiving numerous mixed opinions from royal fans.
A Necessary Upgrade After the 2014 Controversy
According to RoyalFamily.News, the appearance of this new wax statue is a much-needed update for the museum. Going back to 2014, when King Felipe VI officially ascended the throne, the museum unveiled a trio of wax statues of the king, Queen Letizia, and Princess Leonor. However, the original version of the young princess sparked considerable controversy due to its unrealistic and somewhat awkward features.
Now that Leonor has officially turned 18, replacing her childhood image with a more mature and dignified appearance is inevitable. The new statue is prominently displayed in the central room of the museum in Plaza de Colón, alongside images of her parents. King Felipe VI is elegantly recreated in a grey suit and blue tie, while Queen Letizia is stylish in a navy blue dress inspired by a Carolina Herrera design, paired with nude high heels and a matching clutch.
Recreating a historical moment and subtly rebellious details is quite interesting.
Instead of choosing glamorous evening gowns, the artists decided to freeze Princess Leonor’s most iconic moment: the day she swore allegiance to the Spanish Constitution. The statue is dressed in an elegant white suit, including a diagonally buttoned blazer and slim-fitting trousers.
This is a clear tribute to the outfit the future queen wore on October 31, 2023. The authenticity of the work is further demonstrated by even the smallest details. The statue wears nude-colored high heels identical to the original, and also sports the Golden Fleece Knight insignia on its left chest, albeit slightly larger than real-life. The statue’s hair is neatly tied back in a ponytail; however, the most intriguing detail lies in a small but contemporary element: a cartilage earring on the left ear.
In reality, the princess did not wear this earring on her coronation day, but she has shown it off at other public events. The inclusion of this detail in the wax statue offers a more natural, authentic, and relatable perspective on a Gen Z princess, breaking away from the rigid stereotypes of royalty.
Mixed Reactions: A Perfect Replica or Continued Disappointment?
As is typical whenever wax museums unveil new works, the 18-year-old version of Princess Leonor immediately became a hot topic of discussion. On forums and social media, audience reactions were deeply divided. Some praised the museum’s efforts, believing the statue perfectly captured the confident, elegant demeanor and precise proportions of the heir to the throne, particularly commending the meticulous recreation of the historical white suit.
However, on the other hand, many discerning fans felt the statue’s face lacked the softness and radiance that Leonor possesses in real life. Whether praised or criticized, it’s undeniable that the new wax statue has done an excellent job of attracting attention. The artwork is now officially open to the public, ready for them to admire it and offer their own objective assessments.
