Letizia faces challenges in the Spanish Royal House
Letizia has faced constant alert in the Spanish Royal House for almost six months, following Jaime del Burgo’s explosive revelations about alleged infidelities towards King Felipe VI. Accusations that have even made Letizia’s future as Queen Consort of Spain more questionable than ever, with her reputation in question and the monarchy facing one of its most turbulent times. For Letizia, this period has been particularly challenging, facing constant criticism and growing public distrust.
Jaime Peñafiel’s books increase tension
But that has not been the only thing that has left Letizia in the pillory. Jaime Peñafiel’s books have also contributed to increasing the tension. In his work ‘Letizia and I’, published at the end of 2023, Peñafiel uncovered secrets and deceptions that marked the beginning of the relationship between Letizia and Felipe. And later, with ‘Letizia’s Silences’, the journalist reveals more hidden details about the queen’s life. These revelations from the books have deepened rifts within the royal institution, forcing the Royal Household to navigate increasingly turbulent waters in a bid to maintain stability and public trust.
Letizia hid details of her ancestors from the royal family
Among the most surprising revelations, Peñafiel exposes how Letizia kept key aspects of her family secret. When he met Prince Felipe in 2002, Felipe was unaware that Letizia’s mother, Paloma Rocasolano, was a left-wing trade unionist. He also did not know that her father, Jesús Ortiz, had held various professions, including that of a radio technician. Furthermore, it was a hidden detail that her grandfather, Francisco Rocasolano, had been a taxi driver and communist.
These secrets were not only initially hidden from Felipe, but also from his in-laws, the emeritus kings Juan Carlos I and Sofia. Letizia hid these details because she was ashamed of them and she knew that they did not meet the expectations of the crown. In fact, Queen Letizia preferred to keep her grandparents away from life in Zarzuela, preventing them from setting foot in the royal palace.
Queen Letizia, in question
Peñafiel’s book has generated an intense public and media debate in Spain, questioning the transparency and authenticity of Queen Letizia. The revelations have fueled criticism of her management of her public image and her role within the monarchy. The intimate details that she kept hidden for years have been interpreted as a strategy to better fit into her real environment, creating an image that contrasts with the reality of her family roots.
Jaime del Burgo’s accusations and Peñafiel’s stories have marked a before and after in the perception of the queen, who is now forced to deal with public scrutiny about her past and the decisions she made to hide her origins.