lucys said:
I have no doubt--and reports in serious news magazines have said this--that behind the scenes she is a fully equal partner -- in fact, her critics say she is too involved behind the scenes... she can't win, it would seem ...
I have never thought for a second that Letizia
wasn't an equal partner to Felipe. I have always seen them as equals in their roles as Prince and Princess of Asturias. That she doesn't perform her own duties doesn't make her any less of a princess or a subordinate to her husband or a shadow of his. I have always believed that they determine their schedule together and work as a team.
I also don't doubt that when she does perform duties on her own that she'll do very well and succeed then, too.
Also unlike many people, I don't find it a major issue that she doesn't perform duties on her own yet. I don't think it makes her lesser of a princess to Spain or in comparison to any other princess. Could she go on duties of her own now? I'm sure she could. But what's the point of her going on a duty of her own to sit in the front row of a fashion show or to christen some rose named after her?
This couple has always been more about substance than any superficial quality. As a team, as a unit, they attend events that matter to Spain on a social, economic, cultural and even political level. As a team they attend events that aren't trivial or frivolous like receiving elaborate gifts for their daughter or other such frivolous acts. I think together they do a lot for Spain so why try to break that up?
grevinnan said:
There is no need to be out infront of a crowd. My guess is that Letizia is a much more involved partner and has much more influence over hers and Felipe's activities than some of the other crown princesses do over theirs. Doing events on ones own does not prove anything. Both Felipe and Letizia are hardworking and very bright people, they know what they need to do and how to do it best. We don't need another fashion doll cutting ribbons.
I couldn't agree with you more grevinnan. One of the things that really sets this couple apart is how hard they work and the significance of the events they attend within Spain and abroad.
We really don't need another cut out fashion princess cutting ribbons for a new hospital or to christen a boat or receive a train. We have in Letizia someone who is intelligent and who isn't shy to use her brains and her experience in her role as princess.