• King Felipe and Queen Letizia will visit Denmark on their next state trip
  • Opinion Letizia and her unconditional detractors

The circumstances surrounding the state trip of Felipe VI and Doña Letizia to Denmark next week have little to do with the one that Juan Carlos I and Doña Sofía starred in in 1980. That visit of the Spanish sovereigns to Copenhagen, like those they had previously made to other European capitals, was surrounded by an exaggerated plus of expectation, which at that time our King generated in the world, who although he was already beginning to proudly carry a reputation as an engine of democratic change, was still a figure that was viewed with some suspicion in some chancelleries for having succeeded the dictator Franco as Head of State. Today, fortunately, Don Felipe no longer travels abroad with the feeling that some look down on him for not having enough democratic pedigree as his father did.

Relations between the Danish royal family and ours were close. Not only because almost all dynasties were careful in the second half of the 20th century to be in permanent contact with each other – something that today in Europe is only done by the very inbred Nordic royal families. But also because through the wedding of King Constantine of the Hellenes, brother of Doña Sofía, with the Danish princess Anna Maria -sister of Queen Margrethe of Denmark- family gatherings increased greatly.

For example, in the summer of 1976, the Dowager Queen Ingrid, Constantine's mother-in-law, enjoyed a few days at Marivent as an illustrious guest of the Spanish King and Queen, who at that time always had all the Greeks in their hands. Queen Ingrid would visit our country many times until her death, especially Marbella, taking revenge in her old age for the fact that the Danish government had prevented her royal family from dropping into barbaric Spain while it was ruled by Franco. Margrethe II's husband, the quirky Enrique de Monpezat, also had a great time in Mallorca, and forged a certain friendship with Don Juan Carlos, with whom he shared many hobbies.

It is not surprising, then, that during his youth Don Felipe cultivated a good friendship with the Danish heir, Federico, who is also from the same estate – both were born in 1968.

The close relationship of the two heirs was strengthened by a common bond: Prince Paul of Greece, first cousin of both Philip and Frederick. It is known that this nephew of Doña Sofía was the flesh and nail of our current King in his youth, when there were not a few revelries all over the world, often together with other members of the Götha such as the future Danish sovereign.

Everything indicates that the relationship between Felipe VI and Frederick of Denmark today is practically non-existent, in the sense that it is limited to the meetings that institutional obligations promote. Hence, little can be said about a friendship between the consorts, Queen Letizia and Princess Mary. In addition, it is known that Letizia does not like to take advantage of occasions such as the one she offered, without going any further, the last coronation of Charles III in London, to get intimate with the members of other royal families in the most intimate sphere.

One of the most important episodes in the life of the latter stands out from the years in which Princes Philip and Frederick did share a feast: the day he met the woman who was to become his wife. International media published news with this headline: "The Danish heir met his fiancée thanks to Prince Philip of Spain".

It wasn't really like that. But our current Monarch was at the scene of the crime. Federico met Australian lawyer Mary Donaldson during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. There are different versions of this. One that took place on a blind date. Another that they coincided by chance in a pub where the Dane had gone with several friends, including Felipe de Borbón and his cousin Bruno Gómez-Acebo, son of the Infanta Pilar.

The fact is that, the story is well known, the son of Queen Margrethe fell madly in love with the commoner Mary, such happened to our Heir with the presenter of the Telediario Letizia Ortiz. And neither one nor the other gave up until they managed to get their parents to give in and the respective links were made public. And it was much more difficult for the Australian than for Letizia that her mother-in-law accepted that wedding, which is saying something, knowing as we do the opinion that Don Juan Carlos had of the marriage of his successor.

Federico and Mary's fairytale wedding of Federico and Mary on May 14, 2004 had Letizia among its undisputed protagonists. The wedding took place just a week before Don Felipe's wedding in Madrid – which is why the Danish heir and his wife were unable to attend, as they were on a honeymoon. And it wasthe journalist's introduction to European royalty. Dazzled. And that's not an exaggeration. Because of his poise. But, above all, thanks to Lorenzo Caprile.

Detail of the necklineEFE

The couturier signed the spectacular red crepe and silk tulle dress, with a retro neckline and semi-transparent sleeves that Don Felipe's fiancée wore on that carpet towards the interior of the cathedral of Copenhagen, and which is still today one of the most iconic and most remembered costumes of our current Queen Consort. Letizia looked more queen than ever when she wasn't even a princess yet.

The forced abdication of Juan Carlos I placed Don Felipe on the throne earlier than expected, in June 2014. In Denmark, on the other hand, Margrethe II (83), today the only sovereign queen in the world, has made it clear that she will never abdicate.

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The eternal heir Frederick asked Don Felipe to be one of the godparents of his third son, Prince Vincent - born in 2011, twin of Princess Josephine. The Spaniard accepted the honor, although he could not be present at the baptism ceremony.

A lot has changed for Felipe and Federico, who are now reunited with respect to those who were young, when they topped all the rankings of the sexiest heirs in Europe. Both were coveted pieces for paparazzi around the world and starred in numerous romances. The Dane, who was nicknamed the turbo prince because of his penchant for speeding - which led to some trouble - was linked to a long string of beautiful novices, including models Malou Aamund, with whom he starred in more than one scandal, and Katja Storkholm Nielsen, whose lingerie poses made the Danish sovereign's hair stand on end. In short, other times.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia will be hosted by a dynasty that is not going through its best family moment either, with the two brothers - Federico and Joaquín - and sisters-in-law - Mary and Marie - with a wide open wound since the queen decided to strip the dignity of princes from Joaquín's four children. Beans are cooked everywhere.

  • Felipe VI
  • Letizia Ortiz
  • Queen Letizia