Queen Letizia once again leaves more than one person speechless with the latest decision she has made regarding Infanta Sofía. According to reports, both she and Felipe VI want their younger daughter to have a future very different from that of her aunts, Infantas Cristina and Elena.
There is no doubt that, in recent weeks, the youngest daughter of Spain's current monarchs has experienced growing prominence in the public sphere. This is a phenomenon that her sister, Princess Leonor, has experienced in parallel as well.
As of today, Queen Letizia's two daughters represent a new era. That's why finding a model for Infanta Sofía and her sister is not an easy task. This is particularly true in the case of the younger one.
Unlike the Princess of Asturias, she is not subject to the strict obligations imposed by being heir to the throne. However, she must also justify her role within the institution.
Because of this, many people wonder what role Infanta Sofía assumes within the Spanish Royal Household. According to reports, as the younger daughter of Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, she holds an institutional position that is not clearly defined and with few clear precedents.
In fact, the only references that exist are her aunts, Infantas Elena and Cristina, whose personal and public trajectories have been far from exemplary or model. This is why Queen Letizia doesn't want Infanta Sofía to follow in their footsteps.
Queen Letizia doesn't want Infanta Sofía to follow in the footsteps of her aunts, Infantas Cristina and Elena
Throughout their lives, Elena and Cristina had the strong protection that King Juan Carlos built around the royal family. However, after his abdication, the lives and controversies of his daughters began to come to light.
Over the years, the public perception of the infantas has changed radically. This is especially true for Cristina, and all as a result of her alleged involvement in the Nóos Case. But even before this scandal came to light, people were already talking about the lavish lifestyle she kept with Iñaki Urdangarin.
Meanwhile, Infanta Elena has led a more discreet life, although with gestures that suggest some discomfort with the residual role assigned to her from Zarzuela. Although she has never openly expressed criticism, the signs of discontent are increasingly visible.
This is precisely the outcome that the current monarchs want to avoid for their daughter, Infanta Sofía. Queen Letizia, who has witnessed firsthand the personal and media conflicts of Infantas Elena and Cristina, knows that this can't be repeated.
At the time, neither Cristina nor Elena managed to occupy a truly relevant role within the Spanish Crown. That's why Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are building the young woman's new role step by step, without following previous models.
So much so that they have opted for a different strategy: giving visibility to her personal achievements and strengthening her role as institutional support. The importance given to her recent graduation, as well as the monarch's public gestures presenting her as Leonor's support, indicate that they want to keep her within the institution.