Gina Heslop
In 2014, Spain witnessed a significant royal transition when Prince Felipe ascended the throne, succeeding his scandal-ridden father, King Juan Carlos. The former king’s reputation had been tarnished by corruption allegations and an ill-fated elephant-hunting trip to Botswana in 2012. Faced with mounting public anger, King Juan Carlos decided to abdicate in favor of his son, Prince Felipe, marking a critical moment in Spanish royalty.
Prince Felipe, who had two older sisters, became the monarch primarily due to the traditional male-line succession law that was in place at the time. Subsequently, this law has been changed, making King Felipe’s older daughter his heir apparent. King Felipe’s journey to the throne was marked by a diverse upbringing. He traveled extensively with his family, immersing himself in different cultures. He pursued his education in Canada, attending the Lakefield College School in Ontario in 1984 and 1985.
Upon returning to Spain, he underwent a rigorous three-year military training program at the country’s armed forces academy. Later, he earned a law degree in Madrid and a Master’s Degree in international relations from Georgetown University in Washington DC. His dedication to serving his people was exemplified when he competed in sailing at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona and proudly carried his country’s flag. Meanwhile, his future wife, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, was building a successful journalism career.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s Degree in Audiovisual Journalism from the Institute for Audiovisual Journalism Studies. Letizia became a well-known face in Spain, working as an anchor for the nightly news program Telediario and even covering the 2000 U.S. presidential election. Their paths crossed when Felipe, eager to meet Letizia, reached out through a mutual journalist friend.
Despite initial secrecy, their relationship became public when they were spotted vacationing together at Felipe’s royal residence in Mallorca. In 2003, they announced their engagement, but rumors circulated that Felipe’s father, King Juan Carlos, had reservations. Letizia’s status as a divorcee without royal lineage led to concerns within the royal family. Juan Carlos asked Felipe to delay the engagement by a year for further consideration. Determined to marry Letizia, Felipe approached his father with a letter renouncing his right to the throne. His mother insisted that Juan Carlos had no choice but to approve the union, warning that denying it could endanger the monarchy itself.
Felipe and Letizia’s love prevailed, and they wed in 2004. Together, they have two daughters, Leonor and Sophia. The royal couple has endeared themselves to the Spanish public by leading relatively ordinary lives. While King Felipe dedicates his energy to serving the people, Queen Letizia passionately supports children’s education and aids those suffering from rare diseases. Their humility and commitment to their roles have made them beloved figures among their subjects, ensuring the Spanish monarchy’s continued relevance in the modern era.
