Relationships between Members of the Spanish Royal Family

[Juliette2]

Here's the video showing the royals exiting the church. Sofia is quite upset and Letizia seems to be intent (through a smile...) in making her point to her mother-in-law who clearly is trying to avoid her. I'm so sorry for the two girls caught in this spat.

https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/04/04...22_840171.html

[Juliette2]

Originally Posted by lula

I repeat ... there were no photographers, the photographers were out several meters away ... there was only the photographer from the Royal House, and it is Sofia who comes from behind and calls him so that he takes a picture of her alone with the girls.

I don't know, it doesn't look to me like Sofia is calling the photographer, it looked more like maybe there was an understanding look between the two (but we see only Sofia's side). The photographer gets ready and she gathers the girls next to her. Then, embarrassingly, Letizia tries to prevent the picture from being taken (!). Regardless, exactly because it was an official, royal photographer, and so someone they clearly trust, Letizia should have just left them finish for two seconds and then re-joining the group.e

[dgtns]

Originally Posted by lula

Actually the only "conflict" is between oppressive grandmother and overwhelmed granddaughter. The rest is pure fiction.

Please watch the full videos, and not the clipped video. The story is very different.

Looks to me like all was well until Sophia saw the camera and wanted to make a picture with the granddaughters and grabbed them both. Sophia looked like she wanted to give the photog a posed photo. Looks to me like Letzia objected to here mother in laws choice. Sophia def plays to the camera., Letizia doesn’t perform like that!

[Rudolph]

Surely though Sophia knows Letizia and Felipe have certain ‘rules’ and parameters regarding their children, especially with photographs.

With Sophia pulling the children close for a picture she was putting Letizia on the spot.

I agree it’s unfortunate that this has become a ‘scandal’ but I think Letizia was just doing what mothers do, looking out for her children’s best interests.

[Juliette2]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Well, unless you are very temperamental an episode like this doesn't just pop out of the blue. There has to be some underlying tensions to trigger it.
Otherwise you would normally discuss any disagreement afterwards in private.

Three things springs to mind. [...]

Muhler, I'm shocked to say that I disagree with you this time (I thought I'd never say something like this!!). This is clearly a case of two women wanting the spotlight. Sadly, they know that the spotlight is where the children are. Letizia is ferociously defending the girls not for the press but, sadly, from their grandmother for whatever reason. You are right, an episode like this does not pop out of the blue. Those two women don't like each other (for whatever is worth Marie-Chantal's comments prove that the Greek side of the family does not like Letizia). Period. The girls were absolutely fine before Letizia intervened. They were smiling and poised. They may have been nervous but didn't show it. They were easily in control of their emotions unlike the adult women around them...Also, if it's true that the photographer was a trusted royal photographer and not just a casual member of the press that proves my point even further.

P.S. You mean Queen Sofia, and not Sonia, right Muhler?

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Okay, I have to admit that this clip from Daily Mail, does show that Leonor does not wish to have her grandmother's hand on her: 'Tense scene' between Letizia of Spain and Queen Sofia in Mallorca | Daily Mail Online

Of course we can speculate endless as to why, so unless it happens or has happened more often, it could be caused by anything IMO.

ADDED: Marie Chantal's remark is astonishing IMO!!
What on earth would possess her to say anything like that in public?!?

Muhler, after watching the clip a few times Leonor seems fine with her Grandmother until Letizia steps into the picture. Then she pushes Sofia's hand away. It's hard to tell, of course, from just this short clip. But it seems such a ridiculous over-reaction on Letizia's part. A few pictures of the girls with their grandmother and then it would have been over with. Instead it's turned into a big mess that puts Letizia in a bad light.

[Juliette2]

Originally Posted by dgtns

Looks to me like all was well until Sophia saw the camera and wanted to make a picture with the granddaughters and grabbed them both. Sophia looked like she wanted to give the photog a posed photo. Looks to me like Letzia objected to here mother in laws choice. Sophia def plays to the camera., Letizia doesn’t perform like that!

Then how do you explain Felipe's shocked expression at what Letizia's saying to her mother??

[kalnel]

I don't think it looks like anything happened between Sofia and Letizia -- the whole thing seems to be that Leonor didn't want to get pulled and fussed at by either of them, so she pushes their hands away. Letizia appears to walk in front of the photographer twice, and she's smiling as she walks back toward Leonor.

Much ado about nothing.

[Queen Claude]

My conclusion is that Queen Letizia initiated the "tense scene" by trying to obstruct Queen Sofia from getting pictures taken with her granddaughters, Sofia then escalated the matter by doubling down, and her doubling down was basically her tightening her grip on Leonor which resulted in Leonor, not once but twice, removing Sofia's hand. Note that Leonor did not resist her grandmother when her grandmother initially corralled her, but she did start resisting Sofia after Letizia became part of the scene, exchanged words with Sofia and Sofia tightened her grip on Leonor. It did not look like Leonor had hard feelings towards her grandmother and she approached / stayed close to her grandmother after the incident.

[Juliette2]

Originally Posted by Queen Claude

My conclusion is that Queen Letizia initiated the "tense scene" by trying to obstruct Queen Sofia from getting pictures taken with her granddaughters, Sofia then escalated the matter by doubling down, and her doubling down was basically her tightening her grip on Leonor which resulted in Leonor, not once but twice, removing Sofia's hand. Note that Leonor did not resist her grandmother when her grandmother initially corralled her, but she did start resisting Sofia after Letizia became part of the scene, exchanged words with Sofia and Sofia tightened her grip on Leonor. It did not look like Leonor had hard feelings towards her grandmother and she approached / stayed close to her grandmother after the incident.

I completely agree!!!

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Juliette2

Muhler, I'm shocked to say that I disagree with you this time (I thought I'd never say something like this!!). This is clearly a case of two women wanting the spotlight. Sadly, they know that the spotlight is where the children are. Letizia is ferociously defending the girls not for the press but, sadly, from their grandmother for whatever reason. You are right, an episode like this does not pop out of the blue. Those two women don't like each other (for whatever is worth Marie-Chantal's comments prove that the Greek side of the family does not like Letizia). Period. The girls were absolutely fine before Letizia intervened. They were smiling and poised. They may have been nervous but didn't show it. They were easily in control of their emotions unlike the adult women around them...Also, if it's true that the photographer was a trusted royal photographer and not just a casual member of the press that proves my point even further.

P.S. You mean Queen Sofia, and not Sonia, right Muhler?

Well, there has to be a first time, eh?

Well, I won't be the judge and I won't take sides, as I don't feel I have enough basis for doing that.
It was merely the three scenarios that went through my head.

And yes, I did mean Sofia. - I blame it on increasing senility.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by dbarn67

I think the fault is on both ladies. Letizia for coming in and trying to manage the grandmother and granddaughter interaction so publicly when Leonor was fine until she stepped in to block. Sofia for pushing too much with the Leonor. I saw a video from the side (sort of across from Juan Carlos) and Sofia looked angry and frustrated at the end. Its an unfortunate situation for both Queens IMO. There are good feelings and tensions in every family. They both should know better than to allow the public to see those tension on display. More upsetting for me was in the end Sofia makes a big show of affection toward Leonor when they are outside the chuurch but seems ignores Sofia.

I agree dbarn67. Ultimately they're human beings who have to deal with the tensions and squabbles that occur in all relationships. Theirs was unfortunately caught on film that morning.

[Juliette2]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Well, there has to be a first time, eh?

Well, I won't be the judge and I won't take sides, as I don't feel I have enough basis for doing that.
It was merely the three scenarios that went through my head.

And yes, I did mean Sofia. - I blame it on increasing senility.

Maybe senile, but always wise Muhler, and rising above us catty women...

[Empress Merel]

It seemed innocent at first to me. Letizia clearly goes up to her daughter to caress her or tuck her hair behind her ear and Sofia went off for whatever reason.

Grandma's ain't always cute and just because she's old, doesn't mean she can't be shady.

[Livia]

Letizia was doing her job, and that was say goodbye to people, she even didn't notice the photographer was behind her and what her mother in law was trying to do, opinions shouldn't be made in base a video with no sound and when you have around 20 people or more, too many people, too many things to do, you reach a point where you don't know where you are, how to pose, if you have to smile or not depending of the situation.... and above all trying not to be unpolite with all these people who are waiting to greeting them or say their goodbyes. And everything with the threat Mallorca's Nationalism to be there making noise so security this year was more strong.

The Press got what they wanted and better than they can imagine, protect Cristina's image with the help of Marie Chantal, a Princess of Greece who doesn't know where Greece is. I hope a rebound effect for them and a very painful one.

[dbarn67]

Letizia is very upset about the incident according to her close friend.

https://www.semana.es/galeria/letizi...-inma-aguilar/

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Queen Claude

My conclusion is that Queen Letizia initiated the "tense scene" by trying to obstruct Queen Sofia from getting pictures taken with her granddaughters, Sofia then escalated the matter by doubling down, and her doubling down was basically her tightening her grip on Leonor which resulted in Leonor, not once but twice, removing Sofia's hand. Note that Leonor did not resist her grandmother when her grandmother initially corralled her, but she did start resisting Sofia after Letizia became part of the scene, exchanged words with Sofia and Sofia tightened her grip on Leonor. It did not look like Leonor had hard feelings towards her grandmother and she approached / stayed close to her grandmother after the incident.

I agree with your observations. The situation tensed when Letizia sabotaged the photo opp. The reaction of Doña Sofía would be the same for a Princess Beatrix or a Queen Margrethe. It is unimaginable that a Máxima or a Mary would act like that to them. Letizia is on the verge of collapsing, the tension is so visible.

[Moonmaiden23]

As someone who had to grow up with a mother and a (paternal) grandmother who quite loathed one another, I sincerely hope it was a minor dust up that has been blown out of proportion.

There was no stress worse than trying to please a grandmother and a mother, both whom I adored, and watch them shoot daggers at one another at family gatherings. The scars remained for years.

For the sake of those two very young and innocent girls I would not want them caught in the middle of that for anything in the world.

[Duc_et_Pair]

I hope Letizia realizes she can not have an enemy like Doña Sofía, to have an Archduchess Sophie vs Sissi-like situation.

Alienating exactly the very lady who sided with her son's unusual choice and - with doing so- confronted King, Court, establishment and society with her royal approval and acceptance.

Doña Sofía was Letizia's first ally. It would be most unwise (and could make things VERY difficult for her) when she does not reconcile.

[Rudolph]

Maybe it’s Sophia alienating Letizia. Maybe Sophia has a difficult time accepting its Letizia, not her, who’s now Queen.

Felipe and Letizia have well established ground rules regarding the children. Maybe Sophia was trying to take advantage of a public situation to sneak in a photograph when she knows the parents wouldn’t approve.

I think the whole thing has been way overblown but I have no issue with Letizia. She’s the girls mother, not Sophia.