A New Scandal Rocks the Spanish Royal Family

Seven years before Prince William married Kate Middleton, another photogenic bride of modest breeding created the model of the very modern princess. It was the spring of 2004, and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was on the arm of the dashing Prince Felipe of Asturias, a member of the 750-year-old Bourbon dynasty and heir to the throne of Spain.

By marrying Letizia, Felipe was putting to bed years of gossip and speculation. The tanned former Olympic yachtsman, who was 36, had been linked to a string of head-­turners, including a Norwegian model, a Liechtensteiner princess, and American model turned socialite Gigi Howard. Like Kate Middle­ton, ­Letizia, then 31, was notable for being a "commoner," the middle-class daughter of a journalist and a nurse. Unlike Kate, she was also divorced and established in her profession; as a Spanish TV news anchor, she had reported from Ground Zero after 9/11. She and Felipe hit it off the following year, after, rumor has it, Felipe arranged for a mutual friend to invite them both to dinner.

Despite pearl-clutching in the more conservative corners of Spanish society, the wedding, at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, would set the tone for a relationship defined by poise and quiet professionalism. Such qualities, along with Letizia's cover star smile and style, cemented the comparisons with the Duchess of Cambridge. They also became vital when, in 2014, a royal scandal propelled Felipe, now 56, to the throne far sooner than he could have dreamed.

If any royal couple had the chops to rescue the Spanish monarchy from the mire left by the disgraced King Juan Carlos, whose sins included affairs, allegations of corruption (an investigation was subsequently shelved), and a very poorly timed luxury elephant-­hunting safari, it was Felipe, in his sober suits, with the elegant Letizia, now 51, by his side.

But today, 20 years after those glittering nuptials—and 10 years after Felipe vowed to restore the monarchy's reputation following his father's abdication—concerns are swirling like crows around the Zarzuela Palace. They involve a nonagenarian journalist, warring dynasties, an impudent prime minister, and outlandish claims of royal infidelity by Letizia's own former brother-in-law.

View in Browser  A New Scandal Rocks the Spanish Royal Family Seven years before Prince William married Kate Middleton, another photogenic bride of modest breeding created the model of the very modern princess. It was the spring of 2004, and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was on the arm of the dashing Prince Felipe of Asturias, a member of the 750-year-old Bourbon dynasty and heir to the throne of Spain. By marrying Letizia, Felipe was putting to bed years of gossip and speculation. The tanned former Olympic yachtsman, who was 36, had been linked to a string of head-­turners, including a Norwegian model, a Liechtensteiner princess, and American model turned socialite Gigi Howard. Like Kate Middle­ton, ­Letizia, then 31, was notable for being a "commoner," the middle-class daughter of a journalist and a nurse. Unlike Kate, she was also divorced and established in her profession; as a Spanish TV news anchor, she had reported from Ground Zero after 9/11. She and Felipe hit it off the following year, after, rumor has it, Felipe arranged for a mutual friend to invite them both to dinner. Despite pearl-clutching in the more conservative corners of Spanish society, the wedding, at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, would set the tone for a relationship defined by poise and quiet professionalism. Such qualities, along with Letizia's cover star smile and style, cemented the comparisons with the Duchess of Cambridge. They also became vital when, in 2014, a royal scandal propelled Felipe, now 56, to the throne far sooner than he could have dreamed. If any royal couple had the chops to rescue the Spanish monarchy from the mire left by the disgraced King Juan Carlos, whose sins included affairs, allegations of corruption (an investigation was subsequently shelved), and a very poorly timed luxury elephant-­hunting safari, it was Felipe, in his sober suits, with the elegant Letizia, now 51, by his side. But today, 20 years after those glittering nuptials—and 10 years after Felipe vowed to restore the monarchy's reputation following his father's abdication—concerns are swirling like crows around the Zarzuela Palace. They involve a nonagenarian journalist, warring dynasties, an impudent prime minister, and outlandish claims of royal infidelity by Letizia's own former brother-in-law. Read More Diane von Furstenberg's Venice Era The legendary designer is making herself at home in one of La Serenissima's most storied palazzos, but when it comes to the her next act, don't mistake relocation for retirement. Read More Monsters' Nicholas Alexander Chavez Reveals the Key to Empathizing with a Murderer "There's only four people in the world who know what happened that night, and two of them are dead." Read More Billionaire Heiress Eve Jobs Is Reportedly Engaged to Her Olympian Equestrian Boyfriend The young couple went public with their relationship at the Paris Olympics. Read More Katie Holmes Was Spotted Toting a Classic Canvas Tote The 'Our Town' star spent her day off carrying one of the beloved—and affordable—Lands End canvas bags. Read More Gwyneth Paltrow Just Wore a Coat You'll Want to Live In This Fall Once again, the Goop founder proves she's the master of effortless off-duty style. Read More Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Town & Country is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779