Engagement of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz: November 1, 2003

[royal_sophietje]

Good points Alexandria.

As for newspapers abroad, I think they don't know enough or not interested enough to dig into Letizia's history.

For example: our Dutch journalists are quite lazy in digging up the past of royals from abroad. Then they rely on the media of the country the royal comes from.

But if it is about someone from our own royal family, then our jorunalists doens't know where to stop.


I guess it are only rumours about Letizia. And I gues they only exist because she is divorced.

[donnaK]

Originally posted by royal_sophietje@May 17th, 2004 - 12:11 am
Good points Alexandria.

As for newspapers abroad, I think they don't know enough or not interested enough to dig into Letizia's history.

For example: our Dutch journalists are quite lazy in digging up the past of royals from abroad. Then they rely on the media of the country the royal comes from.

But if it is about someone from our own royal family, then our jorunalists doens't know where to stop.


I guess it are only rumours about Letizia. And I gues they only exist because she is divorced.

There were plenty of articles from the German and Italian tabloids about Letizia, her family and her past. German TV even called the Spanish wedding the most important royal wedding since Charles married Diana in 1981. Also there were lots of stories and interviews (her former school mates, colleagues, almost anyone knew her all got their interviews) in Mexico press as well. If she really had some hidden past, those foreign countries' press (just the example) would have already written something about her.

[montecarlo]

What about other countries that have large Spanish populations for which the Spanish wedding might be of interest to them? Why couldn't the newspapers of these countries write out against Letizia?

Telefutura network airs a show called 'Escándalo TV' [Scandal TV]. On May 17th, the hosts will discuss a "scandal" involving Miss Letizia. I plan on watching it to see what its all about. The show airs at 1:00pm Eastern Time U.S.A.

[xicamaluca]

For the ones that don't know, The independent took some of those stories from a site on the internet known saying alot of very awfull things about Letizia and the royal family (including those "wonderfull" photo scemes with the face of Letizia in the body of a naked woman (i've read that they even made one with the face of Queen Sofia, but they taken it hours later before the royal house act against them ).

[noldi]

Montecarlo wrote

Telefutura network airs a show called 'Escándalo TV' [Scandal TV]. On May 17th, the hosts will discuss a "scandal" involving Miss Letizia. I plan on watching it to see what its all about. The show airs at 1:00pm Eastern Time U.S.A.

So what was the "scandal" any news yet??

Noldi

[montecarlo]

So what was the "scandal" any news yet??

Unfortunately, I only watched 15 minutes of a 2 hour show. A reporter from the show interviewed some students who knew Miss Letizia when she was studying in Colombia. They all said that they were really happy for her and that they couldn't believe she was going to be a Queen. Oh, and they said that she was very intelligent.

[Lyonnaise]

There was a special about Letizia shown on the Canadian channel (?) TLN. Unfortunately, I can't speak any Spanish so I don't know exactly what was said but they did speak to her professor (I'm assuming) from Mexico and they showed the articles that she had published in various academic journals. They also showed the house where she lived when she was in Mexico and interviewed the mother of the house. Everyone was smiling so I'm assuming that only good things were said.

I also learnt, for all the Canucks, that TLN is going to be showing the wedding on Saturday at 3pm.

Moral of the story: I need to learn Spanish.

[xicamaluca]

Lyonnaise, the special that you saw, was the same that TVE broadcast last nigth? Was a special of 3h:30m about Letizia (the first hour - teachers from her schools and universities (in Spain and in Mexico), several collegues from her academic years and work and the mother from the house were she lived in Mexico.
They spoke about her personality, her work and about her life. Next was about Felipe (1h:30), was about his work as heir of the spanish throne. Alot of spanish (former ministers, sindicalists, writters) and foreign personalities (former latin american presidents, the former president of Portugal, ONU staff, ect.) spoke about him and what kind of impression he left on them and in other countries. The last hour was dedicated to the others heirs of europe, they all spoke to TVE and said some words about their lifes (this i didn't saw all )

[Josefine]

Originally posted by xicamaluca@May 19th, 2004 - 10:35 am
Lyonnaise, the special that you saw, was the same that TVE broadcast last nigth? Was a special of 3h:30m about Letizia (the first hour - teachers from her schools and universities (in Spain and in Mexico), several collegues from her academic years and work and the mother from the house were she lived in Mexico.
They spoke about her personality, her work and about her life. Next was about Felipe (1h:30), was about his work as heir of the spanish throne. Alot of spanish (former ministers, sindicalists, writters) and foreign personalities (former latin american presidents, the former president of Portugal, ONU staff, ect.) spoke about him and what kind of impression he left on them and in other countries. The last hour was dedicated to the others heirs of europe, they all spoke to TVE and said some words about their lifes (this i didn't saw all )

so they interviews
charles, William Alexander, Frederik, Haakon, Victoria, Philpe, Gulliume and who else?

[xicamaluca]

They spoke with nine heirs, i din't saw until the end, so i only saw: Charles (they started to ask him if the thinks that he will be king The poor almost didn't know what to say ), Victoria (spoked about her duties and about the press abuse over royals), Frederick (he spoked very few. The biggest part was former words from him), Phillipe of Belgium (that said that he knew that Mathilde was the woman of his life when she cooked to him ) and with Alois of Liechtenstein (that gave the biggest interview and that said how much he loves is wife (a very sweet moment) :flower: ). The others i din't saw

[Josefine]

do you all remembers this

[Lyonnaise]

I do! I remember how it came as a total shock to me and how much I disliked Letizia (I'm ashamed to say it). What a difference a year makes! She's become one of my favourite royals and I think that they are wonderful together.

Originally Posted by Josefine

do you all remembers this

[Josefine]

i remember that we where many at TRF chatting

[Anna_R]

The official announcement of the engagement came at 6:00 p.m. on November 1st, 2003 through a statement released by the palace.

Their Majesties the King and Queen have the great pleasure to announce the engagement of their son, His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias Don Felipe, with Doña Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.

The solemnization of the engagement will take place next Thursday, November 6th, at La Zarzuela Palace.

The wedding will be celebrated at the beginning of the Summer of 2004 at the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid.

La Zarzuela Palace, November 1st, 2003

From ABC.es

[Anna_R]

The couple's first public appearance together was on November 3rd, 2003, Queen Sofia's birthday.

They gave a quick interview to a lot of journalists at the garden of the Prince's house, next to the Zarzuela Palace.

Felipe: We wanted, once we made the official announcement of our engagement, to appear before you all and the Spanish population to thank you for the numerous samples of affection that we have received these two days and also to be together. I am very happy to be able to show how happy our engagement has made me and how in love I am with Letizia. For every couple, it is an important step to become engaged. I say to you with conviction that Letizia is the woman with whom I want to share my life and to form a family and in addition, as to the Crown, I have the security of knowing that Letizia unites all the qualities and capacities necessary to assume the responsibilities and functions as Princess of Asturias and as future Queen of Spain. Our coming together allows us to give continuity to the parliamentary monarchy as it consecrates our Constitution. But above else, We present ourselves here in love, committed, with conviction and full of hope and, of course, devoted to serving Spain and the Spaniards. Thanks.

Letizia: I understand the surprise that this decision caused nearly everyone, but it is a mature decision, the fruit of very intense reflections and covered with the weight and the sureness of the deep love that we have ourselves and of the course that we've undertaken together. From when I was very young I was always a journalist and until the 31 years that I am now, I have exerted my profession with desire, dreams, determination and in that same way I now confront what we started now, with responsibility, vision and hard work to serve Spain and the Spaniards.

(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)

[Anna_R]

After the interview, Felipe and Letizia headed to the Royal Theater, in order to watch a concert by the cellist Mtislav Rostropovitch in honor of Queen Sofia's birthday. There, they got together with the King and Queen and with Infanta Elena and her husband, Don Jaime de Marichalar.

[Anna_R]

The solemnization of the engagement took place at El Pardo Palace.
After King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia formally asked Letizia's parents for her hand in marriage, the couple took a stroll around the palace gardens and then proceeded to talk to the press. There were about 350 accredited journalists from 12 countries.

Felipe:
The wedding, as you know, will take place at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. We still have to choose the date; so we don't want to make any announcements about the date to not cause any rumors.
In the meantime Letizia greets the press.

Felipe (at the question when they took the decision to get married):
Well, when did we decide it?

Letizia:
Some time ago.

Felipe:
It has sufficiently been long enough. What happened is, that we need... we needed some more time to prepare all this, but well, at least we had the confidence that the decision was taken.

Letizia:
And the conviction. It has been difficult [to be discrete] and more with my friends knowing about it. It has been difficult.

Letizia (about gifts):
It's a ring , I believe it is made of white gold, and here... (she shows the ring)

Felipe:
A modern design...

Letizia:
I don´t know how to show my hand... this way...?

Felipe:
I got cuff-links made of sapphires and white gold.

Letizia:
...Yes, now I gave these...

Felipe:
Apart we also have other gifts that we will give to each other later, but we already told each other about them. I will give her a family piece of jewellery and ...

Letizia (interrupting him):
I gave him a literary gift, a beautiful book he had been searching for for a long time, from 1850 by Mariano José de Larra, a precious edition, with a chivalrous story from the 15th century [El doncel de don Enrique el Doliente]. Well, a book I wanted him to have.

Felipe:
It's a family piece of jewellery with pearls and sapphires. A necklace.

Felipe (about the future marriage):
Well, as I've already told you the other day, Monday, first of all it means... [asks for silence]... first of all it means the continuation, it allows the possibility of another link in the dynastic chain, that connects us with history. Apart from that it allows me to integrate a value, an active one, to my work and the representative function and to improve my work in the general interests of the Spanish people. And, personally, of course a tremendous support for its qualities and values. They are going to be fundamental and are going to be a big benefit.

Letizia (asked about her future professional plans and if she's going to accompany Felipe on his voyages):
Well, principally, since the announcement of the engagement and since today, the asking of the hand, it is clear that this is a point in the professional work I was exercising until now. What I wish, what we intend to do is that I'll slowly leave TVE, not immediately. And it's also clear that from now on and in a progressive way, I'm going to intigrate and dedicate myself to this new life, well, with the responsibilities and obligations that go with it and with the support and affection of...

Felipe wants to interfere.

Letizia:
... Let me finish...! the affection of the King and Queen and of course after the priceless example of the Queen.

Felipe:
She will have enough work to do and will have very busy days.

(Asked about the qualities of each other)
Felipe:
You're asking me first? Well, there are many, evidently in the eyes of many, but I believe, her eloquence and intelligence, her spirit of responsibility in her work, her courage, I believe all that has been very important. She has many principles, a rectitude and exemplary nature with her work, that has always impressed me and since I know her, much more.

Letizia:
Also before, eh? On my side, he is an exceptional human being, he is very respectful and sensitive, intelligent, a great speaker, which is very important for me. For a while, he has been interested in personal growth and to have a vision on the world that is very just and he is very dedicated to it.

Felipe:
I'm going to remind you of this, eh?

Letizia: .
True.

Felipe (about descendants):
We can't say this for sure, but, well, the intention is, well, maybe more than two and less than five.

Letizia:
Hey!/Go on!

Felipe (Asked if they'll going to do their first voyage together to Asturia):
We don't know that yet, but of course Asturia will be a very important point on the calendar, I don't know when or how...

Letizia:
A greeting with lots of affection. I truly desire to go there. Because I went to the Príncipe of Asturias Awards, but I would like to return, of course.

Felipe (about how long they've known each other):
Well, the first time we met was a bit more than one year ago, but, well, it was a casual meeting without any consequences. It was during the spring that we started to have more contact and the relationship developed.

Felipe (asked if they have been together on Saturday when the Palace gave the notice he answered affirmative. So the journalist went on asking if they´ve been in Spain or abroad):
We have been outside of Madrid. If you want to know, we are going there now ...

Letizia:
Now I understand the participants of press conferences, now I understand them.

Felipe:
Well, but now the shoe is on the other foot.

Letizia:
No, no, but now it´s getting expensive.

They say goodbye.

Felipe:
Thank to all of you and we expect that the next 6 months, 8 months or how many there will going to be, will be ... magical

Letizia:
Thanks, Thanks very much.

(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)

[EmpressRouge]

I know it's been a while, but I was wondering if anyone has seen Letizia's last broadcast. I read that she read the news for the last night the eve of the announcement of her engagement. Did she seem unusally emotional because she knew (but no one else in the public) that it was going to be her last broadcast?

[Elsa M.]

Alfredo Urdaci (Letizia's boss and colleague on the presentation on the main TV newscast in Spain) wrote a book, where he talks about many issues, including the last night of Letizia as an anchorwoman.

Here's a rough translation of it:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...4&postcount=46

[EmpressRouge]

Thanks for the link and translation, Elsa! Lots of good incite.