The love story between Felipe and Letizia is coming of age today. It was on Nov 1 in 2003 when the Royal House, in the face of growing information that pointed to the consolidated courtship of the heir to the throne with a divorced journalist, put an end to speculation announcing Prince Felipe’s engagement to Letizia Ortiz.
A hasty announcement, not without controversy over the past of the one who would be the future queen of Spain and that, despite opinions to the contrary, turns 18 stronger than ever and adapting to the new times.
It has been almost two decades of very intense love in which, in addition to becoming parents of two girls, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, they have gone from princes to Kings and have suffered the convulsive changes that have occurred within the institution as a result of all the controversies that have arisen: first with the Nóos case and see the Infanta Cristina sitting on the bench; then with the announcement of the separation of the Dukes of Lugo and, finally, with the abdication of Don Juan Carlos and his forced exile to Abu Dhabi.
Despite all these ups and downs, which also include a strong relationship crisis never confirmed back in the summer of 2013, when Letizia left her whole family planted in Mallorca to return to Madrid, the royal marriage now emerges stronger than ever, centered on the education of their daughters and shaping what should be the future of the monarchy of our country.
If there is something to which the kings dedicate great effort and commitment, it is in that of project maximum transparency within the Royal House: not only are the accounts public, but also the contracts and agreements signed, as well as the gifts that each of its members receives.
In this sense, it should be remembered that one of the first decisions that Felipe VI made after acceding to the throne was the promise of a Crown with “integrity, honest and transparent” conduct; For this, he defined very well who would be part of the hard core of the Royal Family, limiting it to themselves, the princess and the infanta.
It was one of the hardest decisions the couple has had to make in these 18 years of love: to narrow and close the circle.
Also in these times, Doña Letizia has redefined her role, which goes beyond being, as the Constitution indicates, a mere “consort”; in fact, sources close to the Palace assure that there is no decision of the King that has not been consulted and agreed with her.
The Queen has also given a radical change to her interests and acts of institutional representation, also remaining as their own some that were exclusive to Doña Sofía: childhood, solidarity and the environment, although, above all, its agenda includes activities focused on women.
A real agenda that, by the way, has been gaining weight over the years.
Another of the changes that have taken place inside the House in recent times has to do with protocol. They have relaxed in terms of dress at official military events, but nevertheless, has been stricter in relation to the media.
If in the days of the reign of Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, it was easier to access them in more relaxed and private areas of their lives, in the case of Felipe and Letizia the information is much more hermetic.
Now, the most immediate thing within the House, passes through the education of the future Head of State. With year and a half still ahead of stay at boarding school in Wales, when the princess of Asturias reaches the age of majority, she must swear the Spanish Constitution in a joint session of the Plenary of Congress and the Senate.
It is already known that Leonor will do military trainingAlthough it is not known for how long or in what way, and that he will also go to university.
It will not be very different from the one received by the benjamina de los reyes, the Infanta Sofía, another of the important assets within the Institution and also key to understanding that the love between Felipe and Letizia has come of age.
Leonor’s 16 years
The anniversary of the commitment of the Kings coincides with the birthday of his firstborn. Princess Leonor, who was rejoining her International Baccalaureate classes at UWC Atlantic College today, returned to Spain on October 21 after two months in the United Kingdom.
Thus, not only has she been able to participate in the acts of the Princess of Asturias Awards, held in Oviedo, but she was also able to blow out the candles for her sixteenth birthday in family privacy.
And although the images have not transcended, La Razón has learned that on Saturday afternoon, the kings and their daughters enjoyed the film in the Cité Manoteras cinema in Madrid The english spy, directed by Dominic Cooke and which has in its cast Rachel Brosnahan, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessie Buckley, Merab Ninidze.
They arrived with the movie almost started and left before the lights in the room were turned on so they could go unnoticed. In Zarzuela, yesterday Sunday, and before catching the flight back to Wales, a private celebration also took place.
The first-born of the Kings is not expected to return to Spain until December 11, coinciding with the Christmas holiday period.