Spanish reigning royals mark 20 years of marital union.
The confident bride-to-be faced criticism even before her wedding, and this would continue throughout her marriage. Rumors of affairs surfaced. Despite - or maybe because of - the gossip, King Felipe and his wife Letizia still project a united front on their 20th wedding anniversary.
At their wedding when it rained heavily and the bride nearly arrived at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral in a limo, some thought it an omen for the marriage. But through it all, it persevered. On May 22, 2024, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia celebrated their 20th anniversary. In recent photos, they appeared happy together with their daughters, as if nothing had ever happened. Nevertheless, the marriage of the Spanish royal family has faced many challenges.
Their love story started on November 6, 2003, when then-Crown Prince Felipe proposed to TV journalist Letizia Ortiz at noon in the Zarzuela Palace, and introduced his new fiancée to the press. They had been together secretly for over a year, so this came as a huge surprise. It's said they met over dinner with a mutual friend, and the prince fell for her instantly.
Letizia's public introduction raised eyebrows.divorced, a career woman and seemingly too self-confident for a future queen. And she wore a white trouser suit by Armani instead of a dress for the engagement photos, which some considered inappropriate or even disrespectful. She also spoke her mind to the press, sparking concerns about her ability to follow Spanish court protocol.
Crown Prince Felipe faced opposition from his family, who wanted a princess with a spotless past and noble ancestry. But he was determined to have his Letizia. And an unmarried future king seemed too risky for Catholic Spain.
Queen Letizia with nine alleged lovers
Rumors of Letizia's marital unhappiness began circulating, with the queen often called the "ice princess." Accusations included cosmetic surgery, anorexia, and depression. More scandalous reports claimed she had nine lovers. These allegations intensified when she was still alleged to have had an affair with her former brother-in-law, Jaime Del Burgo. Her divorce from her first husband, teacher Alonso Guerrero, in 1999 was another scandal.
The royal family's reputation was further tarnished by the scandal surrounding King Juan Carlos I. He eventually abdicated, pushing Felipe and Letizia to take the throne two years earlier than planned. This transition happened on June 19, 2014, when they became King and Queen of Spain. Letizia now earned respect for her work promoting equal rights, children's welfare, and fighting hunger and poverty.
Crown Princess Leonor marks her coming-of-age
Felipe and Letizia's children, Crown Princess Leonor (18) and Princess Sofia (17), played a key role in the future of the monarchy. In October 2023, Leonor swore an oath to the constitution at a Madrid parliament ceremony, officially becoming the heir to the throne. Her proud parents looked on as they celebrated the moment.
However, this milestone also highlighted the challenges facing the Spanish monarchy. None of the regional parties pursuing independence, like Catalonia, attended. Five of the eleven parties in the lower house boycotted the event, calling for the abolition of the monarchy. In 2021, a survey revealed that only a third of Spaniards still supported the monarchy.
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Source: www.ntv.de
