"Queen Sofia Up Close" by Pilar Urbano

[donnaK]

Queen Sofia's biographer Pilar Urbano was interviewed for her new book on Queen Sofia.
XLSemanal revista online de actualidad

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by donnaK

Queen Sofia's biographer Pilar Urbano was interviewed for her new book on Queen Sofia.
XLSemanal revista online de actualidad

Wasn't Pilar Urbano the one who brought up the story in the beginning that Felipe blackmailed his parents and said it's either Letizia or nothing? I recall that she was forced to make a turn-around on the issue later on in order to keep the trust of Queen Sofia, what is now allowing her to provide the Queen's sugary side of the story. It might be a privilege but doesn't qualify Pilar Urbano as more or less reliable than other sources or journalists.

Furthermore, it's a joke to call both Isabel Sartorius or Eva Sannum "flirts" of Felipe. In Felipe's position you are not with a "flirt" for 4 years, provide private holiday pics to the papers and even take the "flirt" to the wedding of a fellow CP as dinner partner, compromising the Queen. No, she wasn't a flirt and Queen Sofia was far from showing the much praised tolerance in this case, accepting the choice of her son in the first place. Fighting off Letizia only proved one time too often and as a consequence Sofia has to live with a divorced and plebejan successor as consort, something she never wanted to see in Spain. But because in the beginning no girl was ever good or worthy enough to marry her son Felipe, the Spanish heir, the whole thing finally backfired for Sofia.

The only thing Queen Sofia has in mind and always had in mind is the survival of the institution and she has always been willing to pay any price to succeed - including the state of her own marriage and bringing a daughter-in-law into line who would never have been her choice in the first place, but even the greatest Mama's Boy of all thought it was enough at the age of 36 to please the impossible expectations of his mother. The true professional the Queen is, she swallowed the pill and still gives her utmost support to her ultimate objective, a future King Philip VI of Spain. From that perspective of course the interview makes most sense - Queen Sofia's only intention is to make everything sound as smooth and harmonious as possible - not only for a nice legacy but also to give a boost to the CP couple - and Pilar Urbano only does the fetch & carry.

[donnaK]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Wasn't Pilar Urbano the one who brought up the story in the beginning that Felipe blackmailed his parents and said it's either Letizia or nothing? I recall that she was forced to make a turn-around on the issue later on in order to keep the trust of Queen Sofia, what is now allowing her to provide the Queen's sugary side of the story. It might be a privilege but doesn't qualify Pilar Urbano as more or less reliable than other sources or journalists.

I think you are confused an interview with a hearsay. This time Pilar Urbano was doing an interview exactly the same way as the time when she wrote Sofia's first biography. Whether you like the contents or not, it was an interview.

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Furthermore, it's a joke to call both Isabel Sartorius or Eva Sannum "flirts" of Felipe. In Felipe's position you are not with a "flirt" for 4 years, provide private holiday pics to the papers and even take the "flirt" to the wedding of a fellow CP as dinner partner, compromising the Queen. No, she wasn't a flirt and Queen Sofia was far from showing the much praised tolerance in this case, accepting the choice of her son in the first place. Fighting off Letizia only proved one time too often and as a consequence Sofia has to live with a divorced and plebejan successor as consort, something she never wanted to see in Spain. But because in the beginning no girl was ever good or worthy enough to marry her son Felipe, the Spanish heir, the whole thing finally backfired for Sofia.

Strictly they were not 'flirts' in the sense of dating, but Sofia might think any relation without a serious marriage talk a 'flirt' since she was still into 'formal marriage meetings' (she was said to set up various marriage meetings for her son). Isabel Sartorius was more than 15 years ago when both were very young and Felipe hadn't finished his studies. His relation with Eva Sannum might last long, it had always been a long-distance relation only seeing each other in long weekends or holidays. She was definitely considered 'a flirt' by just about everyone before Haakon's engagement to MM. Hola's private holiday pictures in India was her 'introduction' to the Spanish public by his camp, a very stupid 'introduction' though. Eva was never Felipe's dinner partner at the wedding of Haakon and MM like Tatiana was Nikolaos' at the Danish wedding, and only joined Felipe after the formal dinner was over and people could freely stood whereever they wanted, she was invited by the Norweigian couple as their 'friend'.

I don't think it's fair to say that Sofia never considered any woman good enough for her son just because she didn't like a 'clueless' foreign underwear model. Isabel actually said in her Hola interview Sofia was nice to her (to the contrary of what some tabloids said), herself was the one who didn't want to hanging in there (to be laughed like 'Waity Katie') and wanted more freedom in her life . In Sofia's previous interviews in 80s, she had always said that the title was not necessary, she wanted her children to marry educated people, share the same culture background so that they could understand each other better. It was more of the Spanish press who seemed to think nobody was good enough unless she was a daughter of a King, perhaps they just liked whinning, needed something to write about, that's their nature. I still remember a few old complains on the royal girls linked to Felipe, ex. Tatjana of Liechtenstein looked like a farm girl, she had no style, Waldburg (Countess Carolina of Waldburg was Felipe's old flame) was too small, Felipe's wife at least had to be someone like Martha Louise of Norway (hey, that was pretty high standard considering so few daughters of the Kings out there in the market) and etc.

[planetcher]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Wasn't Pilar Urbano the one who brought up the story in the beginning that Felipe blackmailed his parents and said it's either Letizia or nothing? I recall that she was forced to make a turn-around on the issue later on in order to keep the trust of Queen Sofia, what is now allowing her to provide the Queen's sugary side of the story. It might be a privilege but doesn't qualify Pilar Urbano as more or less reliable than other sources or journalists.

Nope, it wasn't Pilar Urbano. It was from a book entitled "Tu seras mi reina" by Angela Portero.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by planetcher

Nope, it wasn't Pilar Urbano. It was from a book entitled "Tu seras mi reina" by Angela Portero.

MonarquÃ*a Confidencial

I don't know who came up with the story first but Pilar Urbano was among those who claimed in the beginning that Felipe blackmailed his parents and threatened to resign as heir if he wasn't allowed to marry Letizia. It's mentioned at the end of the article, in Spanish though. I recall that Urbano later made a U-turn and insisted that Felipe would never have reacted in such a way, a clever move preserving her chance to write this book about Sofia.

[Winnie]

Does anyone actually believe that the King did not know exactly what was in this book before it was released? I believe he HAD to give his approval in advance and just maybe he agreed. Of course we will NEVER know the facts to everything -- just read with a grain of salt and believe the parts you like and disregard the ones that you don't -- what the rest of the world will do anyway.

[giov]

Spanish author Pilar Urbano poses by a poster of the cover of her new book about Spain's Queen Sofia in Madrid on October 30, 2008. This is Urbano's second book on the queen.
Getty
Getty
Getty

[Duke of Marmalade]

some more from belga when launching her second book about Sofia 'La Reina, muy de cerca'

BelgaPicture - Advanced search

Pilar Urbano is a woman of the Queen's generation (born 1940, two years younger) and wrote her first book about Sofia in 1997, 'La Reina'. She even sports a similar oldfashioned hairdo, although not as polished.

To allow a person to write a second book shows a lot of trust therefore claiming that some remarks were inaccurate is ridiculous. Both women must know each other well. I doubt there will be a third book, after all this Sofia probably will not only think twice before speaking publicly again.

[Al_bina]

Queen reveals food fight with Moroccan King

The Spanish royals seldom let down their guard, but Queen Sofia has offered an unusual insight into the mean world of Mediterranean diplomacy by accusing the former king of Morocco of feeding her meat, even though he knew she was a vegetarian. ...

Queen reveals food fight with Moroccan king - Times Online
I agree with Marengo's views on the interview situation (see posts #14 and #16).

"Very curious how somebody who is usually considered the perfect queen could make such a gaffe. They usually say that the Spanish queen is respected but not loved, I guess this interview will not change much of the unloved-part but she will be less respected by many, that is for sure"

She is entitled to her views of course, and they can even be called surprisingly progressive for a conservative rich woman of 69, but she should not have expressed them in public.I think that the British and Belgian monarch are the wisest in these things: never give an interview, never.

I am greatly surprised that ever-impeccable Queen Sofia has made a decision to reveal too much or has been persuaded into doing so. Pundits and various journalists are likely to start creatively interpreting her words.

[RoyallyRich]

This is going to be bad for the Spanish Monarchy.I have been a big fan of Her Majesty the Queen Dona Sofia for a long while.I loved her elegance and grace and right Royal discretion,which was like a shinning beacon of light in this age of dark and danky royal tell-alls.Now she too was drawn to do this!And in all times!After all those anti-Monarchy bruhahas last year.I still like the Queen of Spain,but I am sorry,but I am turned off!Her comments sound like discrimination.She is a Queen and the second top representative of the Monarchy.She is suppose to unify all her subjects not alienate them!They be straight,gay,lesbian ,transgendered,or bisexual they are all Spaniards and children of God,and she is their Queen!On the first Urbano book I remember and I still re-read it today,a quote from the Queen that touched me deeply.I will write by memory and it went a little something like,"Monarchy is not soley for Monarchists or the rich,but for all.Service for all"And by that I hope she meant for the Monarchists,the Rich,the poor and the GAYS!

[northpalmbeach]

Is this book actually released yet. Does anyone know if it will be in the US also. In English?

[Odette]

Originally Posted by northpalmbeach

Is this book actually released yet. Does anyone know if it will be in the US also. In English?

I found the book in book stands "La Reina" in Spanish only. I doubt it will be printed in English. There were a few days in Spanish papers and magazines with front page news and comments about the book. I'd love to be able to read it in English of course.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Pilar Urbano will publish an epilogue to her book "Close Up" (published a year ago) called "Secrets of my Writing Desk", where she reveals her dealings with Zarzuela and the questions the Queen did not want to answer (eg what she thought of the "Shut Up" incident of the King, Guantanamo). Furthermore, questions directed to Felipe or the Infantas remained unanswered.
Las preguntas que la Reina no respondió · ELPAÍS.com

[Odette]

Duke any mention about translation of this book or the previous one from Spanish to English or French?

[Elspeth]

I've done some cleanup and am reopening the thread in the hope that the conversation can stay on topic.

Please note that this thread is to discuss the book and whether it was wise of Queen Sofia to comment on the record about controversial social issues. It isn't a thread to discuss the social issues themselves and whether you agree or disagree with the Queen's stand on abortion or gay marriage or whatever else she was talking about - it's a thread to discuss, in the context of this book, her decision to go public with her opinions. Further posts attempting to rekindle these disagreements about abortion and gay marriage will be edited or deleted, and if the thread can't stay on topic it'll be closed permanently.

Elspeth
Royal Library moderator

[Empress]

I would have thought that given the rough past of the Spanish Royal Family, they might do like the Dutch and keep their personal views on potentially explosive topics to themselves rather than broadcasting them to the general public.

In some ways, they do represent an entire country. And while that country might be very Roman Catholic, and as such the majority of the people might stand against homosexuality, abortion, etc, I think that it is wrong for someone who stands as a figure head for the population to come out and show contempt for any other part of the population. She in some ways speaks for the entire country, although not officially, and as such her publicly expressed views should reflect that.

[tan_berry]

I esteem her more now because I can see her as a human being and not like the perfect queen XIXth century style, like Queen Mary, so distant and cold; or like a Stepford wife: now she is for real, flesh and blood. It seems to me that people with royal heads of state are too demanding, they continue seeing them as perfect gods.

Very good she talked about her husband´s infidelities. I have spent decades reading articles about people meeting Queen Sofía alone in London (I mean without her husband) and looking sad, feeling lonely. It happened to that writer from Vanity Fair, Dominick Dunne.

I respect and like her more now. I have always criticized her for the rejection to Isabel Sartorius. Now I can see she is like many mothers, not even aristocrats, let alone queens, that do not find anybody good enough for her "princes".

[Marengo]

I think there was another biography published a few days before this one, basically with many simular statements. So to claim that the Queen didn't say it all is nonsense. Of course the author is now using all this to get as much publicity for her book and for her Opus Dei views, which is not very nice either, but that is the way the world works and it is not surprising that even Opus Dei members are not imune to low behavior .

I think by expressing her opinion the Queen has indeed endangered the neutral role of the monarchy. The main advantage of a monarchy these days is that they are not associated to a political party and can function as a neutral focus for the nation, usually supported by 80-90% of the people (no president ever had that). By expressing opinions as being against the war in Iraq, against abortion (also for rape victims), euthenasia, gay marriage etc. etc. that neutrality is no more and HM will be placed in the corner of the ultra conservatives. Now the ultra conservatives are happy probably, but the rest of the country is not.

Anyway, if this is the only time that this happens the Spanish monarchy will survive but if she or other members of the RF do this more often it will only help those who want a Spanish republic. For the moment the damage is mostly personal, the Queens reputation will be changed in the eyes of many people, and not for the better. Only the ultra catholics will rejoice in this queen.

Sadly this trend of messing with the terms of neutrality is not only visible by this gaffe of the Queen of Spain, also in other monarchies people say they do not mind royals expressing their opinions and in my own country the PM himself said that they should be able to do so. Only they forget that although a majority think that royals should be able to express their opinion that same majority might not agree with the personal opinions of a royal and every time a royal expresses an opinion about ethical and political issues a great number of people will feel insulted.

--
To Regina: I am not sure to what extend the Queens religious values go, but since she converted out of opportunism to the church of Rome I tend to take those strong religious feelings with a pinch of salt. And indeed she sounded judgemental, but that can also have to do with the way things were written down, selective quoting for example. And as you say her views are not that surprising considering she is an elderly lady from the upperclass, immune for feminism and other social movements. As she does not mind a divorcee as a daughter-in-law I suppose they can even be called remarkably 'modern' at some points.

[maria-olivia]

In the Belgian Newspaper no word about her birthday but only a few small sentences and title : "Homosexuel marriage should not be told marriage".
How sad !

[Marengo]

Well, that is her own fault. As Harry of Wales will be reminded of the 'Harry the Nazi' act until eternity, and other royals will be known for their gaffe's, the queen of Spain will be known as being one of those anti-everything (save anti-semitist) for the rest of her life and afterwards. I already have heard her called a 'gay hater' on television twice, a hate monger in general and called 'the Spanish awnser to Sarah Palin'. Out of context and untrue perhaps but that is what happens when these things make it to entertainment programmes, boulevard magazines, onine newspapers, blogs, forums etc. Queen Sofia should have known that.

As I said, if this gaffe will be a single event it will not harm the institute of the monarchy in Spain but only the queen herself.

---------
I read in comments at various other forums, blogs etc. that HM also stated she believed in creationism. Does anybody know if she made any comment on this issue?