Queen Letizia and King of Spain pictured during rare date night

Locals and tourists alike watched on in shock as the Spanish head of state and his wife of 20 years walked coolly by - a stark contrast to the British royals' manner when out and about in public in the UK.

Felipe donned a mid-blue open-collar shirt, tucked into a suave pair of grey chinos and paired with a brown leather polo belt with loafers to match.

While the queen stepped out in an all-white ensemble, comprising a loose linen blouse, leather belt, long flowing slacks and tan-coloured sandals - topped off with a crocheted floral bag by Spanish designer Josune Gonzalez.

The duo had been dining at Madrid's exclusive La Lonja del Mar seafood restaurant - a stone's throw from the city's royal palace.

But despite the sprawling palace serving as the couple's official residence, Felipe and Letizia live at the Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid.

The royals could have been supping on culinary delights like caviar, tuna tartare, Iberico ham or a number of high-end tapas dishes at La Lonja.

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And their fine dining might go some way to explain the pair's satisfied expressions as they walked home unflanked by security personnel.

The dressed-down monarchical date night follows a busy summer for the Spanish royals.

While the family had soaked up the sun in Palma de Mallorca earlier in the season, Felipe had been pictured at a number of events supporting his country throughout the Paris Olympics.

And the king had greeted Spain's European football champions after they surged to victory over England in the tournament's final back in July.

Had England beaten the Spanish side, King Charles and Prince William had reportedly planned a similar celebration for the Three Lions.

But dates aside, it's all change for the Spanish royal family.

Felipe and Letizia's daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, are set to head off to new stages of their education in just days.

Leonor, 18, will be heading to Spain's Naval Military Academy, while 17-year-old Sofia will be starting her final year of senior school at Wales's prestigious UWC Atlantic College.