Princess Letizia's Family Part 4: February 2008 - May 2013

[Duke of Marmalade]

I think what went wrong from the beginning is that the SRF did not give a certain protection to Letizia's family. At some point things got out of hand and they were used as a lightning rod or to suit other people's agendas. What has happened over the years is unprecedented when comparing to other royal siblings. The press went over the top, the lawsuit was over the top. Obviously people in Spain like to read such stories, otherwise there would be no platform in the media.

The situation now is a complete standoff and hopefully moving to NY will bring the Ortiz family out of the headlines.

[Bine221]

Agree, Duke.
But: how can you protect Letizias Family? Just ASKING the press not to photograph them??? Haha, maybe good idea, but not working.

Also there are no really good examples from other RFs. The Duchess of Cambridge comes to my mind, but I have the impression, that her family LOVES being in the limelight of attention.
The father of Mette-Marit -- no, not a good choice .
From Maximas sister, we also just heard, that her sister seems to suffer from a severe depression. So no secret here as well.
So where are the real good examples, that a certain protection for the non-royal family is working?
Bye Bine

[lula]

The princess and her family are very profitable for the press, the royal house did not bother to protect them, first to not receive criticism for it and partly because as the press spoke of them did not speak on other matters rather more serious and dangerous (King's private life, Iñaki's business). Now the situation is changing and we will see how things change in the future.

I think the family of the Princess of Asturias has been the least protected and treated worse, not only by the press, but by the Royal House itself.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Letizia's grandmother Menchu, father Jesus Ortiz and aunt Henar Ortiz are declared as suspects in court re a possible insolvency offence. On Friday, Menchu ​​Álvarez del Valle is summoned to testify before court, imputed for consealment of assets, according to the High Court of Justice of Asturias.

Reason is a claim of a former business associate of Henar Ortiz, asking back the amount of 23,000 euros. Subsequently, all three family members are accused of an accounting maneuver in order to preserve the family home in Ribadesella (served as security).

La abuela de Letizia, imputada en un caso de alzamiento de bienes

[dazzling]

Menchu Alvarez del Valle (C), the grandmother of Spanish princess Letizia Ortiz leaves court in Cangas de Onis on July 20, 2012 where she was charged of concealing assets. Del Valle arrived at court today to answer charges linked with the transfer of property in an attempt to hide assets.

Belga picture gallery

[Duke of Marmalade]

La abuela de Letizia declara ante el juez

I wonder what is the problem? If I understand correctly, Jesus and Henar have to go through the same procedure at a later stage since they are co-owners of the house (my guess is when the grandfather died, the widow Menchu inherited one half and the children Jesus and Henar share the other half). A loan was taken out against the house (which all three owners would have to sign) and for that reason it cannot be used as an asset by the people who claim that Henar ows them 23.000 Euros.

If Henar owns 23.000 Euros, why does she put her family through such an ordeal? She could do another interview with Hola (as she has done before), talk a bit about her niece and there is the money.

[Artemisia]

Or maybe she may be innocent and it's a misunderstanding or attempt to exploit Henar?
The legal proceedings will show.

[Duke of Marmalade]

If there is no substance to the claim in the first place, why do all owners have to show up at court to explain the re-mortgaging (which is illegal in case there is a substanciated claim)?
I am not saying Henar is guilty, I am only saying I dont understand the process.

[Artemisia]

Neither do I, to be honest.
Time will tell how things develop, but this is certainly not welcome news for the SRF.

[lula]

The press has not really able to explain what has happened, the information is very confusing and the media is only helping to confuse it more.

The only thing that the press agrees is that a lady called Henar an old debt, and in the investigation, the prosecution has decided to allocate to Menchu​​, Jesus and Henar for an economic movement that supposedly would prevent the charge of that debt.

But really the origin of the debt, the process and the data are not known, so the press is speculating and copying each other.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Jesus Ortiz, Letizia's father: "We are outraged by the lies that are flowing around"
Jess Ortiz, el padre de Letizia: Estamos indignados por las falsedades que se estn vertiendo

He doesnt clarify what really happend though and why he, his mother and sister have to report to the court.

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

If there is no substance to the claim in the first place, why do all owners have to show up at court to explain the re-mortgaging (which is illegal in case there is a substanciated claim)?
I am not saying Henar is guilty, I am only saying I dont understand the process.

I am not familiar with the Spanish legal system but in many countries if you are accused rightly or wrongly of something you have to answer to subpoenas and the court then decides if you are guilty of anything. Sometimes people will throw a large net over many people with the hope of snagging someone with money. If you are "lucky" enough of snagging someone that for some reasons do not what to be in the news then a settlement may be forthcoming whether the party was legally obligated or not.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Jesus Ortiz, Letizia's father: "We are outraged by the lies that are flowing around"
Jess Ortiz, el padre de Letizia: Estamos indignados por las falsedades que se estn vertiendo

He doesnt clarify what really happend though and why he, his mother and sister have to report to the court.

I believe it is against the law to disclose details of ongoing investigation, so Jesus might simply not be allowed to clarify anything.

[lula]

The only option is to wait, maybe when the process ends we will have more reliable information.

The mixture of information and data in the press that does not lead to a clear conclusion, shows only misinformation and the desire to pollute the story.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Jaime del Burgo continues his crusade against the trash press and internet forums
Jaime del Burgo contina su particular cruzada: ahora la emprende contra los foros

If del Burgo is so serious about this, I wonder why he doesnt follow Princess Caroline's path who went to the European Court with her press issues, successfully.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Apparently, the Princes of Asturias agreed to be photographed at Telma's wedding (for image reasons - happy family after all the scandals). Some photographers were event accompagnied by royal security. Still, Jaime del Burgo has filed a lawsuit against these pictures. The outcome will be interesting.

Los prncipes se dejaron fotografiar en la boda en Roma de Telma Ortiz y Jaime del Burgo

[anele14]

true is this???

[lula]

Barrientos always manipulating the data to create her own stories. The reality is that they had no choice, probably all would have been happier without photographers, but photographers were there, and in that case or you take it normally, or they destroy the wedding party.

The news that there would be a celebration at that place on July 7 was published by a magazine a month before, so photographers followed the news and the family and there were several photographers from different agencies.

The Asturias are outside their country and on private trip, in such circumstances only personal bodyguards are accompanying them. The work of the bodyguards is to know that there are photographers and have them checked... they can prevent a paparazzi to take pictures, but not a group of paparazzi. In such cases all they can do is let them work and keep them under surveillance, is the only way to avoid a security problem or create a scandal.

Barrientos will be disappointed because she probably would have preferred to create a scandal to criticize the princess and her family, rather than see a normal family photos.

If the Prince and Princess would like to make an image campaign, would have hundreds of opportunities to do so, without having to do it with people who do not want to appear in the press and who has always been discreet.

The Princess of Asturias and her daughters are the most profitable persons for the Spanish press... if they want to take advantage of that circumstance, the Spanish press would be happy to do business.

[Duke of Marmalade]

but why in this case would Del Burgo file a lawsuit against the distribution of those pictures for invading privacy when his brother in law tolerated them being around and even walked around outside the resort taking along Leonor & Sofia.

[lula]

Duke, they are two totally different things. Hola magazine only published the photos where the Asturias appear, and did not mention anyone else.

Jaime de Burgo, his family, the family of the Princess are private persons, they have no public responsibility. So they have the right and freedom to claim their privacy.

The Prince and Princess of Asturias, are public figures, with public responsibility. They are probably the first who want to preserve their privacy, but not always it is possible. And they often have to resign. Not that they allow or not allow them to photograph, is that sometimes there is no choice, unless they want to create more problems. They do not have that freedom.

Personally I think, the Asturias have been victims of the disastrous way the House of King has dealt with the media. The press has changed, but as the King was not their "victim", in the House of the King did not change anything. Things should have changed, should have agreements and limits, and the House of the King should go to court when necessary. As with any European monarchy. But until they change the relation between the Royal Family / House and the press, the Asturias are trapped.