Letizia, Princess of Asturias
Encyclopedia
Letizia, Princess of Asturias (née Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on 15 September 1972), is the wife of Felipe, Prince of Asturias
, the heir apparent
to the Spanish throne. Before her marriage to the prince, she was a journalist.
on 24 December 1949), a journalist
, and first wife María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, (born in Madrid
on 15 April 1952) a registered nurse and also a hospital union representative.
Her parents divorced in 1999 and her father remarried on 1 September 2000 or in Madrid
on 18 March 2004 to fellow journalist
Ana Togores N, born ca. 1955.
Letizia's paternal grandparents were José Luis Ortiz Velasco (ca. 1923 - Sardéu, Ribadesella
, 30 March 2005), a retired commercial employee at Olivetti
who died of a pulmonary disease, and wife (m. 1949) María del Carmen "Menchu" Álvarez del Valle (Santander
, ca. 1928 -), a well known radio broadcaster in Asturias
for over 40 years.
Her maternal grandparents are Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho (ca. 1918 -), a mechanic
and a cab driver in Madrid
for over 20 years, and wife (m. Madrid
, 1950) Enriqueta Rodríguez Figueredo (Oviedo
, 1919 - Madrid
, 22 June 2008).
It has been said, to much popular acclaim, that Letizia had no noble blood, but although her mother came from a working class family, on her paternal grandfather's side she is an untitled descendant of the families that were for centuries Constables of Castile
and other Royal high office holders.
Letizia has two sisters (one now deceased) :
, where she attended high school
at the Ramiro de Maeztu High School. She completed a Bachelor's Degree
and a Licentiate
's Degree in Sciences of the Information, in the branch of Journalism
, at the Complutense University of Madrid
, as well as a Master's Degree in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.
During her studies, Letizia worked for the Asturian daily newspaper La Nueva España and later for the newspaper ABC
and the news agency EFE
. After completing her studies, she spent some time in Guadalajara
, Mexico, working at the newspaper Siglo XXI. After returning to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of the economic channel Bloomberg
before moving to the news network CNN+
.
In 2000, she moved to TVE
, where she started working for the news channel 24 Horas
. In 2002, she anchored the weekly news report program Informe Semanal and later the daily morning news program Telediario
Matinal on TVE 1. In August 2003, a few months before her engagement to Felipe, Letizia was promoted to anchor of the TVE daily evening news program Telediario 2
, the most viewed newscast in Spain.
In 2000 Letizia reported from Washington, D.C.
on the presidential elections. In September 2001 she broadcast live from Ground Zero
following the 9/11 attacks in New York and in 2003 she filed reports from Iraq
following the war
. In 2002 she sent several reports from Galicia in northern Spain following the ecological disaster when the oil tanker Prestige sank.
in 1962, son of Juan Francisco Guerrero N and wife María de los Dolores Pérez N, a Licentiate
in Philosophy
from the University of Extremadura, a writer and a high-school literature
teacher, on 6/7 August 1998, in a simple civil ceremony
at Almendralejo
, in Badajoz
, after a 10-year courtship. The marriage was dissolved by divorce in 1999. They had no children. He is now married to María del Carmen Astero N.
On 1 November 2003 to the surprise of many, the Royal Household announced Letizia's engagement to the Prince of Asturias. Afterwards, she moved to live in a wing of Zarzuela Palace
until the day of her wedding.
The wedding took place on 22 May 2004 in the Cathedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid
. It was the first royal wedding in this cathedral, which was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. It had been nearly a century since the capital celebrated a royal wedding, as the present king and queen married in Athens
, and the prince's sisters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, married in Sevilla and Barcelona
respectively.
As Letizia's previous marriage involved only a civil ceremony, the Roman Catholic Church
does not consider it canonically valid and therefore did not require an annulment from the Pope
to proceed for a Roman Catholic marriage to the Prince of Asturias.
After the wedding, she moved with her new husband to his residence, a 3150 square metre palace built within the Zarzuela Palace grounds.
, she gave birth to a girl, Infanta Leonor
, the first child for the couple, who was baptized on 14 January 2006. The godparents were the King and Queen of Spain.
As for the Infanta's future as a possible monarch
, The Prince of Asturias was quoted in the Spanish Herald, when asked by a reporter if "a queen has [been] born", the prince answered, "For now a princess has been born. But the logic of the times means that if the reform that the administration is planning takes place, she will be."
On 25 September 2006 the Royal House announced that the couple were expecting their second child in May 2007. On 27 November 2006 it was announced that the second child the Princess was expecting was also a girl. On 29 April 2007, at 16:50 h, her second daughter, Infanta Sofía
, was born. Her godparents were Paloma Rocasolano and Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin
of Bulgaria
and her baptism was on 15 July 2007.
in representation of the King. They also represented Spain in other countries: the Princess has travelled along with the Prince to Jordan
, Mexico
, Hungary
, the Dominican Republic
, Panama
, the United States of America, Serbia
, Brazil
, Uruguay
, Sweden
, Denmark
, Japan
, China
and Portugal
. She also greeted, along with other members of the royal family, international dignitaries. Letizia also attended foreign royalty gatherings in Luxembourg
and the Netherlands
, for the silver wedding anniversary of The Grand Duke
and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
, as well as the 40th birthday celebrations of The Prince of Orange
.
Her solo agenda was announced in 2006, shortly after the announcement of her second pregnancy. Letizia has performed a couple of audiences and her work will focus on social issues such as children rights, culture and education.
In late 2007, her solo agenda started to grow in the quantity of events she performed by herself and Felipe's and Letizia's agendas became more distinct and separate.
of Letizia impales her husband's shield
to the dexter (viewer's left) with her family arms -1st and 4th quarters, the arms of her father Jesus Ortiz Azure an eight points star Or a bordure chequy Gules and Argent; 2nd and 3rd quarters, the arms of her maternal grandfather Francisco Rocasolano Or a rose Gules barbed and seeded Vert; all surmounted by Prince of Asturias's crown
as heir-apparent (Crown's arches
differenced as consort) and surrounded by the ribbon of the Order of Charles III. It was designed by Asturian Academy of Heraldry and Genealogy (Academia Asturiana de Heráldica y Genealogía). The Princess's coat of arms has no official status, it is for heraldic (personal) use. In Spain only the coats of arms of the King
and the Prince of Asturias
are official.
Her full official title is: Her Royal Highness Doña Letizia, Princess of Asturias
, Princess of Viana
, Princess of Girona
, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera
and Lady of Balaguer
.
: Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
: Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
, 1st Class (July 2007): National Order of Merit: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Civilian Class: Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars
, 1st Class: Grand Cordon of the Lebanese order of Merit: Order of the Aztec Eagle
Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (Portugal)
: Order of the Faithful Service
Felipe, Prince of Asturias
Felipe, Prince of Asturias de Borbón y de Grecia; born 30 January 1968), is the third child and only son of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain....
, the heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
to the Spanish throne. Before her marriage to the prince, she was a journalist.
Family
Letizia is the eldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez (born in OviedoOviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
on 24 December 1949), a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, and first wife María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, (born in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
on 15 April 1952) a registered nurse and also a hospital union representative.
Her parents divorced in 1999 and her father remarried on 1 September 2000 or in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
on 18 March 2004 to fellow journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
Ana Togores N, born ca. 1955.
Letizia's paternal grandparents were José Luis Ortiz Velasco (ca. 1923 - Sardéu, Ribadesella
Ribadesella
Ribadesella Ribadesella is a small municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Known for its location on the Cantabrian Sea, as well as for the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of the Picos de Europa...
, 30 March 2005), a retired commercial employee at Olivetti
Olivetti
Olivetti S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of computers, printers and other business machines.- Founding :The company was founded as a typewriter manufacturer in 1908 in Ivrea, near Turin, by Camillo Olivetti. The firm was mainly developed by his son Adriano Olivetti...
who died of a pulmonary disease, and wife (m. 1949) María del Carmen "Menchu" Álvarez del Valle (Santander
Santander, Cantabria
The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain. Located east of Gijón and west of Bilbao, the city has a population of 183,446 .-History:...
, ca. 1928 -), a well known radio broadcaster in Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
for over 40 years.
Her maternal grandparents are Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho (ca. 1918 -), a mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
and a cab driver in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
for over 20 years, and wife (m. Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, 1950) Enriqueta Rodríguez Figueredo (Oviedo
Oviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
, 1919 - Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, 22 June 2008).
It has been said, to much popular acclaim, that Letizia had no noble blood, but although her mother came from a working class family, on her paternal grandfather's side she is an untitled descendant of the families that were for centuries Constables of Castile
Constable of Castile
Constable of Castile was a title created by John I, King of Castile in 1382, to substitute the title Alférez Mayor del Reino. The constable was the second person in power in the kingdom, after the King, and his responsibility was to command the military in the absence of the ruler.In 1473 Henry IV...
and other Royal high office holders.
Letizia has two sisters (one now deceased) :
- Telma Ortiz Rocasolano, (born in OviedoOviedoOviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
on 25 October 1973), a LicentiateLicentiateLicentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the University of BarcelonaUniversity of BarcelonaThe University of Barcelona is a public university located in the city of Barcelona, Catalonia in Spain. It is a member of the Coimbra Group, LERU, European University Association, Mediterranean Universities Union, International Research Universities Network and Vives Network...
and an economistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
who works for international aid agencies. She has one daughter, Amanda (with partner Enrique Martín Llop), who was born on 28 March 2008. - Érika Ortiz Rocasolano, (OviedoOviedoOviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
, 9 April 1975 - MadridMadridMadrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, 7 February 2007), a LicentiateLicentiateLicentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Fine Arts and worked as a literary agentLiterary agentA literary agent is an agent who represents writers and their written works to publishers, theatrical producers and film producers and assists in the sale and deal negotiation of the same. Literary agents most often represent novelists, screenwriters and major non-fiction writers...
. On 7 February 2007, she was found dead in her apartment in MadridMadridMadrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
. In recent months, she had taken a leave of absence from work due to severe depression. Her premature death was widely reported by press as due to an intentional prescription drug overdoseDrug overdoseThe term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
though no official statement was done. She was survived by a daughter, Carla Vigo Ortiz, born in 2000, from her relationship with Antonio Vigo Pérez, born in MadridMadridMadrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
in 1972 (a LicentiateLicentiateLicentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Fine Arts and a sculptor from whom she had separated shortly before her death).
Education and career
Letizia attended La Gesta School in Oviedo, before her family moved to MadridMadrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, where she attended high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at the Ramiro de Maeztu High School. She completed a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and a Licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
's Degree in Sciences of the Information, in the branch of Journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, at the Complutense University of Madrid
Complutense University of Madrid
The Complutense University of Madrid is a university in Madrid, and one of the oldest universities in the world. It is located on a sprawling campus that occupies the entirety of the Ciudad Universitaria district of Madrid, with annexes in the district of Somosaguas in the neighboring city of...
, as well as a Master's Degree in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.
During her studies, Letizia worked for the Asturian daily newspaper La Nueva España and later for the newspaper ABC
Diario ABC
ABC is a Spanish national daily newspaper founded in Madrid on January 1, 1903, by Torcuato Luca de Tena y Alvarez-Ossorio. ABC started as a weekly newspaper until it turned daily in June 1905. Today, ABC is the third largest general-interest newspaper in Spain, and the oldest newspaper still...
and the news agency EFE
EFE
EFE is a Spanish news agency created in 1939 by Spain's former minister of the press and propaganda Ramón Serrano Súñer and Manuel Aznar Zubigaray....
. After completing her studies, she spent some time in Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
, Mexico, working at the newspaper Siglo XXI. After returning to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of the economic channel Bloomberg
Bloomberg Television
Bloomberg Television is a 24-hour global network broadcasting business and financial news. It is distributed globally, reaching over 200 million homes worldwide. It is owned and operated by Bloomberg L.P...
before moving to the news network CNN+
CNN+
CNN+ was a Spanish 24-hour television news channel. Launched in 1999 as a joint venture by Sogecable and by Turner Broadcasting, a unit of Time Warner that owns CNN; it went off the air at the end of ....
.
In 2000, she moved to TVE
Televisión Española
Televisión Española is the national state-owned public-service television broadcaster in Spain. TVE's activities were previously financed by a combination of advertising revenue and subsidies from the national government, but since it's been supported by subsidies only.TVE belongs to the RTVE...
, where she started working for the news channel 24 Horas
Canal 24 Horas
Canal 24 Horas is TVE's 24-hour news channel. Having launched on Monday, September 15, 1997, it is Spain's first news and information channel....
. In 2002, she anchored the weekly news report program Informe Semanal and later the daily morning news program Telediario
Telediario
Telediario is a flagship television news programme, produced by the Spanish public service broadcaster Televisión Española . Three news programmes a day are broadcast domestically on TVE1 and internationally on TVE Internacional...
Matinal on TVE 1. In August 2003, a few months before her engagement to Felipe, Letizia was promoted to anchor of the TVE daily evening news program Telediario 2
Telediario
Telediario is a flagship television news programme, produced by the Spanish public service broadcaster Televisión Española . Three news programmes a day are broadcast domestically on TVE1 and internationally on TVE Internacional...
, the most viewed newscast in Spain.
In 2000 Letizia reported from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on the presidential elections. In September 2001 she broadcast live from Ground Zero
Ground zero
The term ground zero describes the point on the Earth's surface closest to a detonation...
following the 9/11 attacks in New York and in 2003 she filed reports from Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
following the war
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. In 2002 she sent several reports from Galicia in northern Spain following the ecological disaster when the oil tanker Prestige sank.
First marriage with schoolteacher
Letizia married Alonso Guerrero Pérez, born in MéridaMérida, Spain
Mérida is the capital of the autonomous community of Extremadura, western central Spain. It has a population of 57,127 . The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.- Climate :...
in 1962, son of Juan Francisco Guerrero N and wife María de los Dolores Pérez N, a Licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from the University of Extremadura, a writer and a high-school literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
teacher, on 6/7 August 1998, in a simple civil ceremony
Civil marriage
Civil marriage is marriage performed by a government official and not a religious organization.-History:Every country maintaining a population registry of its residents keeps track of marital status, and most countries believe that it is their responsibility to register married couples. Most...
at Almendralejo
Almendralejo
Almendralejo is a town in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. It is situated 59 km south-east of Badajoz, on the main road and rail route between Mérida and Seville. , it has a population of 33,975. There was a battle and massacre here in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.Sights...
, in Badajoz
Badajoz (province)
The province of Badajoz is a province of western Spain located in the autonomous community of Extremadura. It was formed in 1833. It is bordered by the provinces of Cáceres, Toledo, Ciudad Real, Córdoba, Seville, and Huelva, and by Portugal....
, after a 10-year courtship. The marriage was dissolved by divorce in 1999. They had no children. He is now married to María del Carmen Astero N.
Engagement and royal marriage
Palacio de la Zarzuela
Zarzuela Palace is the principal residence of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia and their family. The palace is on the outskirts of Madrid, near the Royal Palace of El Pardo. The complex also houses the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Asturias in a nearby mansion...
until the day of her wedding.
The wedding took place on 22 May 2004 in the Cathedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
. It was the first royal wedding in this cathedral, which was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. It had been nearly a century since the capital celebrated a royal wedding, as the present king and queen married in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, and the prince's sisters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, married in Sevilla and Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
respectively.
As Letizia's previous marriage involved only a civil ceremony, the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
does not consider it canonically valid and therefore did not require an annulment from the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
to proceed for a Roman Catholic marriage to the Prince of Asturias.
After the wedding, she moved with her new husband to his residence, a 3150 square metre palace built within the Zarzuela Palace grounds.
Children
It was announced on 8 May 2005 that Letizia was pregnant and on 31 October 2005 at 1:46 a.m. at the Ruber Clinic in MadridMadrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, she gave birth to a girl, Infanta Leonor
Infanta Leonor of Spain
The Infanta Leonor of Spain is the first child of Felipe, Prince of Asturias, and his wife Letizia. Her father has no sons and she is thus second in the line of succession to the Spanish throne after her father...
, the first child for the couple, who was baptized on 14 January 2006. The godparents were the King and Queen of Spain.
As for the Infanta's future as a possible monarch
Line of succession to the Spanish Throne
Spain uses the system of primogeniture. Male children succeed before female, and otherwise in order of age. If descent from male children does not exist , a female and her heirs succeed. Dynasts who marry against the express prohibition of the king or the Cortes are excluded from the succession...
, The Prince of Asturias was quoted in the Spanish Herald, when asked by a reporter if "a queen has [been] born", the prince answered, "For now a princess has been born. But the logic of the times means that if the reform that the administration is planning takes place, she will be."
On 25 September 2006 the Royal House announced that the couple were expecting their second child in May 2007. On 27 November 2006 it was announced that the second child the Princess was expecting was also a girl. On 29 April 2007, at 16:50 h, her second daughter, Infanta Sofía
Infanta Sofía of Spain
The Infanta Sofía of Spain is the second child of Felipe, Prince of Asturias and his wife Princess Letizia. As the daughter of the heir-apparent to the throne, she is styled and titled Her Royal Highness, Infanta of Spain...
, was born. Her godparents were Paloma Rocasolano and Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin
Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin
Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin, Duke of Saxony , is the fourth son of Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria and his wife Doña Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela. He is known also as Konstantin-Assen of Bulgaria and Konstantin-Assen of Vidin, the latter being the title of the fourth son of Bulgarian kings...
of Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and her baptism was on 15 July 2007.
Role as Princess of Asturias
Letizia joined from the beginning the duties of her husband Felipe, Prince of Asturias, and travelled extensively through SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in representation of the King. They also represented Spain in other countries: the Princess has travelled along with the Prince to Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, the United States of America, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. She also greeted, along with other members of the royal family, international dignitaries. Letizia also attended foreign royalty gatherings in Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, for the silver wedding anniversary of The Grand Duke
Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg OIH is the head of state of Luxembourg. He is the eldest son of Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium. His maternal grandparents were King Leopold III of Belgium and Astrid of Sweden...
and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg is the spouse and Grand Duchess of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.-Early life and education:...
, as well as the 40th birthday celebrations of The Prince of Orange
Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange
Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange is the eldest child of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus. Since 1980 he is the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He is also the head of the House of Amsberg since the death of his father in 2002. He was in military service and he studied...
.
Her solo agenda was announced in 2006, shortly after the announcement of her second pregnancy. Letizia has performed a couple of audiences and her work will focus on social issues such as children rights, culture and education.
In late 2007, her solo agenda started to grow in the quantity of events she performed by herself and Felipe's and Letizia's agendas became more distinct and separate.
Arms
The coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of Letizia impales her husband's shield
Coat of arms of the Prince of Asturias
The blazon of the coat of arms of the Prince of Asturias appears in Royal Decree 284 of 16 March 2001, whereby His Guidon and His Standard are created.QUARTERED SHIELD:...
to the dexter (viewer's left) with her family arms -1st and 4th quarters, the arms of her father Jesus Ortiz Azure an eight points star Or a bordure chequy Gules and Argent; 2nd and 3rd quarters, the arms of her maternal grandfather Francisco Rocasolano Or a rose Gules barbed and seeded Vert; all surmounted by Prince of Asturias's crown
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
as heir-apparent (Crown's arches
Half-arch (crown)
A half-arch is the piece of gold, silver or platinum, usually decorated with jewels, that links the circlet of a hoop crown to the globe at the top of the crown.-British tradition of 4 half-arches:...
differenced as consort) and surrounded by the ribbon of the Order of Charles III. It was designed by Asturian Academy of Heraldry and Genealogy (Academia Asturiana de Heráldica y Genealogía). The Princess's coat of arms has no official status, it is for heraldic (personal) use. In Spain only the coats of arms of the King
Coat of arms of the King of Spain
The blazoning of the coat of arms of the King of Spain is set out in Title II, Rule 1, of Spanish Royal Decree 1511 of 21 January 1977, by which the Rules for Flags, Standards, Guidons, Banners, and Badges were adopted.- Quartered shield :...
and the Prince of Asturias
Coat of arms of the Prince of Asturias
The blazon of the coat of arms of the Prince of Asturias appears in Royal Decree 284 of 16 March 2001, whereby His Guidon and His Standard are created.QUARTERED SHIELD:...
are official.
Titles and styles
- Ms. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (1972–1998, 1999–2004)
- Mrs. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (1998–1999)
- Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias (since 22 May 2004)
Her full official title is: Her Royal Highness Doña Letizia, Princess of Asturias
Princess of Asturias
This is a list of women who held the title Princess of Asturias by marriage.The title was created in 1388 for the future Henry III of Castile and Catherine of Lancaster. A part of the pact was to gran the young couple the title of Prince and Princess of Asturias, which was modelled after that of...
, Princess of Viana
Prince of Viana
The Prince of Viana is one of the titles of the heir of the Crown of Spain. Other associated titles originate from the rest of the kingdoms that formed Spain: Prince of Asturias, Prince of Girona, Duke of Montblanc, Count of Cervera and Lord of Balaguer....
, Princess of Girona
Princess of Girona
This is a list of Princesses and Duchesses of Girona, since 1388, both by marriage and birth. The only Princess of Girona by her own right was Joanna the Mad because previously Aragonese laws of succession, introduced by the House of Barcelona, barred women from succeeding and only allowing it to...
, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera
Count of Cervera
The title Count of Cervera is currently held by Felipe, Prince of Asturias, heir to Juan Carlos of Spain. Cervera is the capital of the comarca of Segarra, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia...
and Lady of Balaguer
Lord of Balaguer
The Lord of Balaguer is a title of the Spanish Crown. specifically represents the Heir to the Kingdom of Mallorca, a part of the Crown of Aragon.-Evolution:...
.
Spanish honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III on 21 May 2004.
Foreign honours
: Order of the Liberator General San MartinOrder of the Liberator General San Martin
The Order of the Liberator General San Martin is the highest decoration in Argentina.The Grades are:*Collar *Grand Cross *Grand Officer *Commander *Officer *Knight...
: Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is the highest state award of Chile, presented to foreign citizens. This award was established in 1965 and named after one of the founders of the Chilean state general Bernardo O'Higgins who was the leader of the struggle for independence of the Spanish colonies in...
: Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana was instituted in 1995 to honour the independence of the Estonian state. The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is bestowed upon the President of the Republic. Presidents of the Republic who have ceased to hold office shall keep the Order of the Cross of...
, 1st Class (July 2007): National Order of Merit: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Civilian Class: Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars is order awarded for merits in service for Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra"...
, 1st Class: Grand Cordon of the Lebanese order of Merit: Order of the Aztec Eagle
Order of the Aztec Eagle
The Order of the Aztec Eagle is a Mexican order and is the highest decoration awarded to foreigners in the country.It was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez as a reward to services given to Mexico or humankind by foreigners...
Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (Portugal)
Order of Christ (Portugal)
The Military Order of Christ previously the Royal Order of the Knights of Our Lord Jesus Christ was the heritage of the Knights Templar in Portugal, after the suppression of the Templars in 1312...
: Order of the Faithful Service
Other Honours
- Favourite Daughter of Oviedo (Hija Predilecta de Oviedo, 2007)
- Adoptive Daughter of Ribadesella (Hija Adoptiva de Ribadesella, 2004)
- 'Lazo de Dama' of the Royal Masterhood of Cavalry of Seville, 2008
- Larra Award of the Madrid Press Association for the most distinguished young journalist of the year.
See also
- Princess of AsturiasPrincess of AsturiasThis is a list of women who held the title Princess of Asturias by marriage.The title was created in 1388 for the future Henry III of Castile and Catherine of Lancaster. A part of the pact was to gran the young couple the title of Prince and Princess of Asturias, which was modelled after that of...
- Princess of GironaPrincess of GironaThis is a list of Princesses and Duchesses of Girona, since 1388, both by marriage and birth. The only Princess of Girona by her own right was Joanna the Mad because previously Aragonese laws of succession, introduced by the House of Barcelona, barred women from succeeding and only allowing it to...
- Prince of Asturias AwardsPrince of Asturias AwardsThe Prince of Asturias Awards are a series of annual prizes awarded in Spain by the Prince of Asturias Foundation to individuals, entities or organizations from around the world who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs....
- Line of succession to the Spanish ThroneLine of succession to the Spanish ThroneSpain uses the system of primogeniture. Male children succeed before female, and otherwise in order of age. If descent from male children does not exist , a female and her heirs succeed. Dynasts who marry against the express prohibition of the king or the Cortes are excluded from the succession...