The reality of Queen Sofía is no longer hidden in the halls of Zarzuela. Sources close to the Royal Household have confirmed that the emeritus queen feels increasingly alone in the palace quarters. With Juan Carlos exiled, the kings attending their official commitments, and her granddaughters studying abroad, Sofía feels separated from everything and everyone.
"Right now, there's no woman lonelier in Spain than Queen Sofía," points out a close source. On top of this, the only person who has always kept her company, her sister Irene, is in a delicate situation. Her health has worsened to the point where she can't accompany Sofía, which increases her feeling of loneliness.
Queen Sofía's reality comes to light
Queen Sofía walks through the halls of Zarzuela Palace feeling the silence grow heavier in every empty room. With her granddaughters studying abroad and the kings at official events, the palace has lost the hustle and bustle of the past. Despite her impassive face in public, intimate storms stir the soul of this 87-year-old woman with deep melancholy.
Sources close to the Royal Household confirm this, focusing on the reality Queen Sofía currently lives. Her past as queen, with a family to care for and countless official commitments, is now behind her. Now, she only attends a couple of them before returning to her royal quarters.
Not even having her sister Irene, who moved in with her at Zarzuela, comforts her anymore. Irene's health has worsened considerably and her presence has become just a memory of better times. Now, she hovers between oblivion, while Queen Sofía avoids straying too far from her so as not to be absent at the fatal outcome.
That powerful ally is going through a delicate stage, with reduced mobility, signs of irreversible cognitive decline, and the shadow of Alzheimer's looming. This dramatic picture breaks the heart of the emeritus queen, who sees her greatest support fading little by little.
"Right now, there's no woman lonelier in Spain than Queen Sofía," say the voices that echo through the Royal Household.
Despite being the most loved, Queen Sofía is completely alone
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos spends his time traveling between Abu Dhabi and Galicia meeting with his friends, while Queen Sofía lives cloistered. It is true that she receives visits from her daughters, but everyone knows that Cristina and especially Elena feel devotion for their father.
King Felipe is aware of his mother's situation and tries to visit her and share with her the moments he has free. They usually aren't many, since apart from his official schedule, in his leisure time he tries to make plans with Letizia.
Chronicler Pilar Eyre warns that, although there is popular affection, Sofía is alone, with no invitations and no plans in sight. The only close and stable presence in her daily life is Irene, the sister who shares her genetics, her history, and her nostalgia. However, with each passing day, that company fades a little more, and Queen Sofía watches in pain as Irene slips away.
Although her wish is to stay close to her, the emeritus queen doesn't want to set aside her official schedule. While it is now much more limited, they say she herself is the one who requests to be included. "I'm fine, call me, remember that I'm always willing," they say she asks the Royal Household.