The reign in Spain is facing its most thunderous forecast yet, as commoner Queen Letizia elbows her mother-in-law, Queen Sofía, aside in an astonishing royal feud pitching the old guard against the new world order. William Langley investigates.
The Zarzuela Palace, an ornate, palm-fringed pile in the hills outside Madrid, is billed as the world’s largest royal residence, but, as things stand, it may not be large enough. Living within it are two queens at war, and the power struggle between them may determine the future of Spain’s embattled monarchy.
In a wing of the main building sits the much loved 79-year-old Queen Sofía, wife of former King Juan Carlos, who abdicated four years ago. Related by blood or marriage to virtually every noble house in Europe, Sofía is devoutly religious and a staunch defender of traditional royal ways.
Down below, in a spacious, terracotta-roofed villa, known as the Prince’s Pavilion, lives her commoner daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia, 45, a vivacious former TV reporter, whose husband, King Felipe VI, took over the throne when his father stepped down.
Letizia has been a divisive figure almost since she arrived on the royal scene 14 years ago. While many Spaniards welcomed her as a breath of fresh air, and admired her smart, energetic style, stories began to circulate – supposedly spread by disenchanted courtiers – of her bossiness, obstinacy and volcanic temper.
Still, there was little to suggest that Sofía was among Letizia’s detractors – until the feud between the pair burst spectacularly into public view.
After an Easter Sunday church service this year on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, Sofía put her arms around her granddaughters, Princess Leonor, 12, and Princess Sofia, 11, to pose for a seemingly innocent photograph. Letizia, the girls’ mother, who had been hovering close by, abruptly stepped in, blocking the shot, and pushing Sofía’s arm off her eldest daughter’s shoulder. An anxious looking King Felipe, 50, then stepped in to calm things down, while Juan Carlos looked on in astonishment.
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BATTLE FOR THE THRONE
As word of a judgement leaks from the courtroom where the Murdochs have been tussling for power, those close to the throne suggest that the battle for the world’s most powerful media empire has only just begun.
AFTER THE WAVE
Twenty years ago, the Boxing Day tsunami tore across the Indian Ocean, shredding towns, villages and holiday resorts, and killing hundreds of thousands of people from Indonesia to Africa. Three survivors share their memories of shock, terror and loss with The Weekly.
Escape to the country
Raised in New Zealand, design icon Collette Dinnigan opens the doors to her family homestead, where treasures from her travels rest side by side with the sights, sounds and style of her Australian life.
Ripe for the picking
Apricots are at their peak sweetness now, take inspiration from our savoury and sweet ideas.
Grill-licious
The backyard barbecue has come a long way from the days of chargrilling some snags. Try our fresh batch of recipe inspiration for your next cook-up.
Reclaim your brain
Perimenopause made me realise that our brains need looking after.
Long and the short of it
If youre considering a chop and change, this is how to nail a hair transformation.
Have we lost the art of conversation?
In a world of thumbs-up emojis and one-way voice memos, are we forgetting how to converse? The Weekly engages in an experiment in listening and genuine two-way chatting.
Farewell, 1936-2024 Maggie T
At Lhe Weekly Maggie labberer was and remains our guiding light the epitome of elegance with a whip-smart intellect, naughty sense of fun and innate kindness. She was a one-off.
MEL SCHILLING Cancer made me look at myself differently
One year on from going public with her bowel cancer diagnosis, Mel Schilling reveals where she's at with her health journey and how it's changed her irrevocably.
