Queen Letizia and the Press

[An Ard Ri]

I have a feeling that the press attacks and snipes at Letizia will only increase,I don't think I've ever read as many negative online comments/articles towards Letizia.

Once upon a time it was the opposite!

[lula]

Probably the problem is not that the princess or prince had thought that things will evolve in a way, the problem is that things have not worked out the way they should have done. I think they know their project and the way they should go. But in the Family and the House were too many people worried about keeping their position and privileges as to let them make their way. And fight against the all-powerful and perfect king Juan Carlos, was a losing battle. At that, just have to wait (and in some cases probably despair) and that the time put things in place.

An abdication would be the opportunity to make changes that society demands the monarchy but with Juan Carlos, anchored in a life of privilege and a way of doing things, it is very difficult to make. The debate affects not only the Monarchy, affects institutions in general ... the need for a renewal of the country's leadership, because the system in place is broken. And that is precisely what many fear.

Perhaps the debate is not whether Juan Carlos wants or does not want to abdicate, but the monarchy and the country reach a point, which required him to do.

[soraya]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Los Príncipes hacen vida conyugal por separado - Noticias de Casas Reales

Another article on the increasing separate activities in private life, after Letizia left Mallorca and did not take part in the lunch with president Rajoy (Leonor & Sofia stayed with their father & grandfather & appeared at dessert to say hello). There are occasions where people are taken aback at events by Letizia's demanding attitue (unlike Felipe) when things don't go as she likes (eg in Rome when meeting the clergy and not only mentioned in Vanitatis ).

I've always seen Letizia as a 'commoner at heart' not matching her chosen position in life at all (I mean the princess, not the career journalist). I think it shows after nine years of marriage that she doesnt fit into the restrictions of royal life and the ancient institution that monarchy is, seeking her freedom elsewhere, away from the royal family. Felipe on the other hand is like Sofia, the opposite, born into & fitting completely into what he is doing. It makes her the perfect scapegoat for a lot that goes wrong in the SRF and adds fuel to the media fire.

Its quite something when a conservative paper like ABC comes up with the story that the CP has problems to adapt to royal life after nine years of marriage.

What did happen in Rome when Felipe and Letizia met the clergy?

[Duke of Marmalade]

The story goes that F&L met with the clergy, all in all a high ranking meeting, and Letizia got annoyed when the nuns said they were praying for the family incl Inaki She left the room talking on her phone before she returend and asked Felipe to leave. The story was in the 'more serious' media too, and in Vanitatis.
Letizia al Príncipe ante los cardenales: Nos vamos ya

There are similar stories from other events, at one event Felipe said something to his wife and her reply was caught on camera 'I couldn't care less', Felipe looked embarrassed and got up to do his speech.

At a town visit Felipe stayed longer to shake hands with a long line of people and Letizia was heard saying 'If you will shake all these hands we'll still be here tomorrow, let's go'.

I wasnt there so I cannot say whether it's true or not or exaggerated but stories like these are not only circulating in gossip but also in 'mainstream media'.

Becaused she missed several events on weekends that Felipe attended Letizia has acquired the reputation to be a '9am-3pm during the week' Princess, probably unjustified because I think casareal will make the agenda with the King and not Letizia herself, but the image sticks, confirmed by the Mallorca incidents, when she was very monosyllabic and annoyed by the press, not attending the lunch with Rajoy (Felipe changed his plans to attend but Letizia didn't).

[kathia_sophia]

I don't know if that stories are made up or have some truth to it, I only know that this rumours and negative media will not be good to their marriage, because it's too much pressure and it is painfull. If things go like this for a long time, the Media will surely win on their statements.

Letizia is no angel, we are all not perfect at all. But she sure is no evil, bad-girl. I think some of her attidutes might actually be true, but it's not that she's the bad one, it's her personality and character and besides that, it was known since the engagement that she had a strong will and personality, it's obvious she would not be a puppet of the crown and have sort of an opinion in some matters. Probably because she's a public person, she could try to avoid more awkward situations but all in all, the media is also responsable for this, if they were more friendly, positive and protective of her, I'm sure she would be diferent sometimes, it's obvious she's tired and sad to the point she doesn't give a damn about it anymore.

[fandesacs2003]

I do not of course know if these stories are true or not. On the other side she knew since her engagement, where she was entering to, and i found childish these kind of reactions. If she reacts now like this, what will happen when she is the Queen of Spain?
Of course we do not ask frm her to be a puppet. Is Queen Maxima a puppet? NO! She has her own personality, bright and adored. She does a wonderful job and in the meantime she has never such kind of reactions, despite i do not beleive that ALL her tasks are easy and agreable for her, but she is respectfull of her position.
Why the so called intelligent and independant Letizia could not be such a good CP?

[lula]

Well, the story of the meeting at the embassy with the priests, was told by two "journalists" upset because she did not speak with them during the reception and she preferred to speak with journalists from serious newspapers. One, a republican, works in a program of gossip where the princess attacks are more than usual... the other a few days later told a different story of the events. They also said that the princess was totally uncomfortable and not talk for the acts in the Vatican, and they saw the same images for all of us, where we can see that's not true.

The second reference to Duke, it was a "lip reading" of a partial video ... so the interpretation of the facts is quite relative.

Probably her comments made ​​by any other member of the Royal Family would not matter, if the king had done them would be funny and natural... but to attack the plebeian there are always people willing.

There is a reaction that occurs repeatedly, people who hold certain positions or "famous" journalists believe they are very important and if the princess does not treat them with the homage that they believe they should receive immediately get angry. Their ego sees the princess as an inferior, that really is not royalty and should be always at the service of what they want because she do not deserve to be there. So anything she say or do will be manipulated or taken out of context.

[biboquinhas]

I'am starting to belive also that the rummors migth be true...Letizia was a very independent women, when she married Felipe she lost her job and all her dreams in the work life, she could't continue to do anything by herself, the Spanish Royal House is very strict about that the popularity is all about Felipe, Letizia shoudl onle acompaing him, she only can be his wife, she could not have an active role on anything.On the other side she knew since her engagement, where she was entering to. And yes I have the same opinion "Lletizia would have been great in a monarchy that does a rania-like role"....

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by fandesacs2003

I do not of course know if these stories are true or not. On the other side she knew since her engagement, where she was entering to, and i found childish these kind of reactions. If she reacts now like this, what will happen when she is the Queen of Spain?
Of course we do not ask frm her to be a puppet. Is Queen Maxima a puppet? NO! She has her own personality, bright and adored. She does a wonderful job and in the meantime she has never such kind of reactions, despite i do not beleive that ALL her tasks are easy and agreable for her, but she is respectfull of her position.
Why the so called intelligent and independant Letizia could not be such a good CP?

What you say about Maxima being respectful of her position is key, and there are many times Letizia comes across as not understanding that, or quite frankly not caring. JMHO of course. But that is what I see. She seems to be a "my way or the highway" type of person, and that doesn't really work with the family she married into. But she had to have known things would be drastically different when she accepted the proposal.

[An Ard Ri]

Of all the current European Crown Princesses I would say Letizia is in my opinion is the least convincing of them all. They've all settled into their roles where as Letizia still seems to be struggling to find her niche. But I wouldn't blame the Palace for her predicament,Letizia is a very shrewd and intelligent woman,if there's a blame game going on I'd says its 50/50 (Letizia/Palace).

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Emmily

What you say about Maxima being respectful of her position is key, and there are many times Letizia comes across as not understanding that, or quite frankly not caring. JMHO of course. But that is what I see. She seems to be a "my way or the highway" type of person, and that doesn't really work with the family she married into. But she had to have known things would be drastically different when she accepted the proposal.

I agree with your comments. Almost all criticism leveled at Crown Princess Letizia dismissed as a usual jealousy from journalists. I believe this defense is not valid any more.

[dbarn67]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

I agree with your comments. Almost all criticism leveled at Crown Princess Letizia dismissed as a usual jealousy from journalists. I believe this defense is not valid any more.

I agree with what everyone is say about Letizia seemingly not embracing her role as crown princess. And I believe and that is what's causing problems. I stop short in thinking that there's a huge rift in her marriage. I think there are strains on their marriage. Those strains may be coming from the palace and the myriad of scandals with the the palace walls. I think Felipe may be feeling pressure to be perceived by the press and public as impeccable as a crown prince and Letizia is seemingly approaching the "job" of crown princess with her usual half interested/half bored approach. With Spain's economy unstable and with many republicans using the opportunity to beat the drum against the royal family Felipe understands that the appearance of indifference towards the "work" of royals may give ammunition to those who want to end the constitutional monarchy.

In Letizia's defense, Maxima married into a relatively happy royal family with a female monarch who was clearly delighted to have a lively independent daughter-in-law. IMO Letizia married into an unhappy family with a male monarch who is of the old school where in women have a place of pretty adornments who's opinions and "intelligence" mean little. Like others have said, if Letizia is a intelligence and especially as a former journalist I'd have thought she had a clear understanding of what she getting into when she married Felipe.

[Al_bina]

I for one prefer not to drag any other Queen or Crown Princess in the discussion.
The institution is much bigger than Crown Princess Letizia. There are no indispensable people. The public at large, who is embattled by economic woes and instability, cares very little about the marriage rifts of Crown Princely couple. The Crown Princely couple is expected to do their jobs.

[Glam4]

Part of the problem though is that the institution is in crisis and Letizia with her attitude doesnt help.
She isnt liked by the conservative press, that criticizes her for her behaviour and of course she isnt liked by people that want to abolish the monarchy. She hasnt found her place.
But I think too that she didnt get all the support other CP, even by the press.

[Moonmaiden23]

What astonishes me is that as a member/former member of the Press I would expect that journalists would be some of Letizia's most staunch allies.

They are not, it's just the opposite.

Is it my imagination or do her former colleagues seem to really dislike her? Is it jealousy? Do they feel betrayed that she married into Royalty?

[lula]

Letizia's situation is impossible, whatever she does there is always a sector that seek to attack. For more to strive to make things right, it's never enough ... and in the end that eventually destroy anyone. One must be very strong to withstand all that has endured.

If Letizia had prominence, if she wears expensive clothes, if she was wearing big jewelry, if she travels alone in the world, if they impose rules to the press ... if she did all that do other princesses / queens and that is happily accepted in their countries... criticism would be even more ferocious.

That in the present circumstances with members of the Royal Family who are unfaithful, lie, steal ... what most concern to some is that the princess wants to go out once a week with friends or want to have 15 days without press on vacation ... demonstrates the utter irrationality of certain arguments.

And the fault is of the Royal House, never have stepped forward to defend the princess of Asturias, never have given her role and place ... and yet we see that they are doing everything possible to defend and give a life of luxury to the Infanta Cristina, who has been the greatest misfortune of the institution,

Probably that is what has poisoned many in recent months. Many hoped that Letizia was the great failure, who committed the big mistake ... and always looked so silly gossips after another. But were the Borbones themselves which have led to disaster.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by lula

if she did all that do other princesses / queens and that is happily accepted in their countries... criticism would be even more ferocious.

So what would Crown Princess Letizia have done, if she had to deal with the Japanese Imperial Agency-type of courtiers, who demanded to produce a male heir? Crown Princess Letizia was fully aware of the institution she married into. Accusations of jealousy and unfair treatment are becoming trite.
Infanta Cristina and her spouse as well as King Juan-Carlos got their dose of ferocious public criticism.

[lula]

The king was with her ​​young lover on a luxury hunt while the country was in the worst week of the economic crisis.

Infanta Cristina and her husband are involved in a serious case of corruption, embezzlement and fraud to the Treasury... and the king have sought for them a haven of luxury in Switzerland.

They have been very justified criticism, for not to fulfill their duties of state and commit crimes.

Can you tell me where is it comparable to something princess Letizia have done? Go to a movie or a pop concert with your friends is a crime? Is there anything illegal about wanting to have 15 days of tranquility a year without paparazzi?

The princess does her job, and all she wants is to enjoy a normal private life with family and friends without being constantly harassed. Can you explain what's wrong with that?

Al bina, I remember you that the law of succession in Spain has not been changed, and that in every pregnancy Princess Letizia has been much press until it has confirmed the baby's sex.

[Ferrara]

[QUOTE=Al_bina;1596345]Accusations of jealousy and unfair treatment are becoming trite.
/QUOTE]

Not if they are accurate and present for all to see:

a. Letizia:
Support your husband and the Royal House loyally, accept role as 4th most important female in the royal house even though you are the consort to the Crown Prince, work hard, perform all your duties responsibly and with great interest but dare to wear pants to military ceremonies, attend a few concerts with friends, go to the movies and leave Majorca as planned: get accused of not having adjusted to royal life.

b. Cristina and Inaki:
Buy a $6 million euro house and supplement this with a $2-3 million renovation with her salary from La Caixa, continue with activities related to Noos even though asked to stop, and has now has resulted in one of the greatest sources for the loss of credibility for the institution of the royal house: rewarded with cushy life in DC and million dollar salary with Telefonica, and now, with life in Geneva.

Headlines are of 'poor lonely Cristina' rather than anything else.

Double standards for the royal-born while the plebian who dared to marry the crown prince is flayed and blamed for everything.

[Moonmaiden23]

I still haven't received an answer to my question about why Letizia's former colleagues seem to hold such a low opinion of her.

Any theories, opinions? I'll wait.

ETA: Ferrara, more so-called "plebeians" than Royals or Nobles have married into the Royal houses in modern times. Among them, Letizia alone seems to have a talent for stirring up hostility.

I think the time is way past to play the "blame the poor commoner" game when the plebeians have done quite well for themselves everywhere else.