Felipe and Letizia Relax in Palma de Mallorca

Despite a recent car bombing in Mallorca, the Spanish Royal Family has refused to change their summer holiday plans.

Prince Felipe sailed in the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre this week aboard the CAM. Before the start of the regatta, he and his wife Letizia led a minute of silence in memory of the two officers slain in the attack. The royal couple attended the funeral last Friday.

Whilst taking a break from sailing, the Prince of Asturias and his family obliged photographers as they strolled through the historic center of Palma today. The little princesses Leonor and Sofía were dressed in bright pink dresses with white sandals whilst their mother was dressed in a multi-colored shift. Known for her minimalist dress style, the Princess of Asturias was recognized in the 2009 Vanity Fair International Best Dress List alongside Sheikha Mozah of Qatar.

The Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre regatta ends on Saturday.

Photo: REUTERS

Infanta Leonor Begins Classes and Letizia Celebrates Her 36th Birthday

This morning, the Prince and Princess of Asturias escorted their daughter, Infanta Leonor to her new school, the Colegio Santa María de los Rosales. The confident two-year-old displayed her winsome smile appearing in the school’s uniform of grey, white and blue with her pink backpack livening up the ensemble. The little princess is enrolled in the same private institution which her father attended from 1972 to 1984. Leonor previously attended the Escuela Infantil de la Guardia Real on the grounds of El Pardo Palace.

Whilst her eldest daughter began her first day at a new school, the Princess of Asturias celebrated her thirty-sixth birthday. The media covering the morning event conveyed to Letizia birthday greetings as she walked up the school’s drive stylishly dressed in a white blouse, gray slacks and open-toed gray pumps. As she thanked them for their birthday wishes, she expressed her delight of celebrating her birthday the same day that her daughter started her first day at a new school.

First Birthday for Spain’s Infanta Sofía

Infanta Sofía turned a year old today. She was born at the Rúber International Clinic. Currently, she is third in line to the Spanish throne after her father and sister Infanta Leonor. She is King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía’s eighth grandchild.

Photo: REUTERS

Prince Felipe Imparts Idyllic Family Life for His 40th Birthday

As the Prince of Asturias nears his 40th birthday, a series of family portraits have been released on the Casa de Su Majestad el Rey website. Prince Felipe was born January 30, 1968 at the Nuestra Señora de Loreto clinic in Madrid. He formalized his role as the heir to the throne by swearing allegiance to his father, King Juan Carlos and the Spanish Constitution on January 30,1986 in front of the Spanish Parliament. In May 1995, he earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. He is a qualified helicopter pilot and holds the ranks of Commander of the General Land Army Corps (Infantry), Lieutenant Commander in the General Navy and Commander of the General Air Force.

Among his many official duties, he presides over the Prince of Asturias Foundation which was formed on September 24, 1980. The foundation’s main objectives include “strengthening the links between the Principality of Asturias and its Prince and of contributing to upholding and promoting all those scientific, cultural and humanistic values that form the heritage of humanity.”

On May 22, 2004, Prince Felipe married Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. He and Letizia have two daughters: Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofía.



Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/Borja

Theater in Jaén Is Named after Infanta Leonor

Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Asturias toured a theatre in Jaén which was named in honour of their first child, Infanta Leonor, born October 31, 2005. The two-year old princess started school at the Escuela Infantil de la Guardia Real last September.

The royal guests were entertained with music and drama as they inaugurated the site.

70th Birthday for King Juan Carlos of Spain

Today, King Juan Carlos of Spain celebrated his 70th milestone. The monarch will be feted with a lavish dinner on Wednesday. What could be considered as an annus horribilis for the Spanish royal family last year, Juan Carlos ended 2007 on a positive note by boosting the morale of Spanish troops serving in Afghanistan.

Juan Carlos was born on January 5, 1938 in Rome. He married Princess Sofia of Greece on May 14, 1962. He and Sofia have three children: Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Prince Felipe. Their offspring have produced eight grandchildren: Felipe Juan Froilan, Juan Valentín, Victoria Federica, Pablo Nicolás, Miguel, Irene, Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofía.

He ascended the throne on November 22, 1975. Since his enthronement, the king has proven vital to the restoration of democracy in Spain. The country is ruled by a parliamentary monarchy. Through his patronage influence, Juan Carlos has promoted “initiatives in the areas of economics, business, research and social advances” and has encouraged “solidarity at all levels of society in Spain.”

For his leisure, the king delights in sailing and skiing.

Photo: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/DVirgili

2nd Birthday Celebration for Infanta Leonor

Infanta Leonor celebrated her 2nd birthday today. It is befitting to note that the little princess came in second after her grandmother Queen Sofía via a 20 minutos poll of Spanish royal family favourites according to the Typically Spanish website. Her grandfather King Juan Carlos, her aunt Infanta Cristina and her father Prince Felipe came in third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Infanta Leonor Begins Preschool

The Prince and Princess of Austrias enrolled Infanta Leonor at the Escuela Infantil de la Guardia Real this week. The adorable tot was dressed in the school's uniform of light blue shorts and white top for her first day. As she walked up the drive toward the school, the little princess helped her parents by wheeling her backpack behind her.

Photo: REUTERS

Infanta Sofía's Christening

Infanta Sofía de Todos los Santos was christened today at Zarzuela Palace. Water from the River Jordan was poured on her head as Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela (Archbishop of Madrid) blessed the proceedings. Her godparents are her maternal grandmother Paloma Rocasolano and Prince Konstantin of Bulgaria. Sofía was named in honor of her paternal grandmother Queen Sofía of Spain.

Infanta Sofía was born on April 29th at Rúber International Clinic. Currently, she is third in line to the throne after her father the Prince of Asturias and her older sister Infanta Leonor. Leonor's succession right has yet to be determined by The Cortes. If the Prince and Princess of Asturias have another child, and the baby is a boy, he will pre-empt Leonor as the next heir to the throne after his father Felipe.

Infanta Sofía Makes Her Appearance

Yesterday afternoon, Infanta Sofía made her long-awaited debut for the cameras. She was wrapped in an ivory blanket which hid a delicate ivory dress and sweater trimmed in lace and ribbon. Whilst addressing the media, the Princess of Asturias looked radiant and relaxed as Sofía rested peacefully in her arms.

The baby was delivered by caesarean section on April 29th at 4:50pm (Spain’s local time). She weighed 3310 grams (7.3lbs) and her length was 50 centimeters (19.7in).

During the week, Infanta Leonor made several appearances to see her sister at Ruber Clinic. The adorable toddler was dressed in a lovely blue-flowered frock for her first visit. Afterwards, she appeared with a pink duck clutched in her grasp. For her second outing, Leonor was casual in blue jeans and burgundy sweater. When the family of four finally made their appearance on Friday, Leonor reflected the happy mood in her frock dotted with red flowers and her bright, cheerful red sweater. She radiated smiles, waves and baby words which delighted the watching crowd.