Serena Williams is in Oviedo. The beloved tennis player was one of this year's recipients of the Princess of Asturias Awards, a recognition handed out by the heir of the Spanish throne that recognizes notable figures across industries, including culture, technology, science, and social causes. Williams was this year's recipient for the sporting category, meeting King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia.
Williams looked happy and proud as she approached the Spanish royals, wearing an Elie Saab dress that winked towards Spanish culture with its Ibizan style. The dress is white and was made up of two pieces: the dress itself and a matching coat.
The outfit lent Williams a refined look while still keeping a Mediterranean vibe. She rounded out the look with red heels, adding a pop of color and fun to an otherwise restrained outfit. Williams complimented her clothing with Messika jewelry.
The event took place today, Friday, October 24th, with Williams serving as one of the occasion's biggest guests.
Williams walked towards the Spanish Royal family and shook hands with the royal family, including Princess Leonor, who handed her the award, with the two sharing a sweet smile. Williams also received some encouraging words from the King, who's been a life-long tennis fan and was likely thrilled to reward one of the best tennis players of all time.
This year's Princess of Asturias Laureates include the writer Eduardo Mendoza, the artist Graciela Iturbide, the researcher Mary-Claire King, and more. In past years figures like Meryl Streep and Haruki Murakami have also been recipients.
Williams' amazing tennis career
Williams has led an incredible sporting career, taking 23 Grand Slams and four Olympic medals home. Aside from her sporting achievements, Williams has played a key role in women's empowerment across fields, from sports to business, marking a clear before-and-after moment for women all over the world.
The jury highlighted Williams' capacity to inspire entire generations to dream bigger, her support for various social causes, and her impact on the history of tennis.
While at the awards, Williams highlighted a Spanish talent that she's long been a fan of: Carlos Alcaraz.
"Alcaraz is doing incredible things. I'm a huge fan of Alcaraz. I always call him when he plays, to cheer him on," she said, making it clear that he could surpass Djokovic's current record of 24 Grand Slams won across his career. "Carlos is very young, he has great rivals, but of course it's possible. Records are there to be broken," she said.