A Queen with a Purpose
Since her arrival in the Royal Family, Letizia Ortiz has proven to be a woman of character and determination. Despite initial resistance from some royals, such as King Juan Carlos I, the Queen has managed to consolidate her position and exert significant influence on the institution.
In her first years as a princess, Letizia earned the respect of Infanta Cristina and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, who saw in her a reflection of their own experience. The Queen promised that, when she ascended the throne, she would take care of those who had ostracized her.
The Revenge of a Queen
Once she became Queen, Letizia kept her promise. She eliminated from the Crown those who had damaged the institution, among them King Emeritus Juan Carlos. She withdrew their official functions and the income they received from the State.
Years later, the Queen also managed to expose King Juan Carlos’s irregularities, embarrassing him and forcing him into exile in Abu Dhabi.
A Smear Campaign
In recent months, Queen Letizia has been the subject of a smear campaign believed to be orchestrated by the Royal Family. The institution considers that power should rest with the King, not the Queen, and Felipe VI has been relegated to the background.
Faced with this situation, the Queen has accepted her role as consort, as reflected in the latest book by Jaime Peñafiel and in the statements of Jaime del Burgo.
The Return of the Bourbons
With Letizia’s loss of influence, the Bourbons have met again on numerous occasions. Queen Sofía, Infanta Elena, Irene Urdangarin and King Juan Carlos himself have attended family events, such as Infanta Elena’s anniversary, Irene Urdangarin’s graduation and Princess Leonor’s coming of age.
Even at home, Felipe VI has taken the reins. In the Zarzuela Palace, where Queen Sofía resides with her sister Irene of Greece, the Bourbons find a place to stay when they visit Madrid.
Irene Urdangarin: A New Chapter
Irene Urdangarin, daughter of Infanta Cristina, is about to finish her volunteer work in Cambodia. She will move to Madrid, where she will settle in Zarzuela.
Irene plans to obtain her driver’s license and continue her academic training. Her mother, Infanta Cristina, is worried about her future and wants her to concentrate on her studies.