New Book Says Felipe & Letizia are Ready to Reign

Spain’s Prince and Princess of Asturias are the subjects of a new book which shows the couple in quite a positive light. “Los Principes. Preparados para reinar” (The Prince and Princess: Prepared to Rule), written by journalists Carmen Enriquez and Emilio Oliva, analyzes Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia’s lives since their 2004 marriage, their children, as well as their public and private lives.

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“We’ve tried to create a journalistic, correct, honest and entertaining panorama of the Prince and Princess,” the authors said in an interview with EFE. The book derives information from about 60 royal watchers and officials who’ve interacted with the couple.

“We’ve tried at all times to ensure that the portrait is clear, that it is understood and that it entertains, even though it may be talking about something as serious as the future of Spain,” said Emilio Oliva, a reporter for Agencia EFE, Spain’s international news agency.

When writing about Felipe, Spain’s future King, the authors wrote that he is “prepared only too well” for his future role. That preparation has been greatly influenced when he married Letizia. Enriquez noted, “The Princess has exercised a positive influence on him because she has contributed to making him more open and friendlier. The Prince has changed since he’s been with her.”

In the book, Felipe is described as meticulous in his work, reflective, prudent, a night-owl who gets up early because he has to, who enjoys sandwiches and sipping a glass of wine with his friends, and who is happy with his family life.

As for Letizia, she is portrayed as a perfectionist, which may explain why she appears tense during royal engagements. The Princess is also credited for making the Spanish monarchy more popular with the people.

The book also touches on the couple’s two young daughters, Infantas Leonor and Sofia. A passage describes how one of them deals with being royalty while going to school.

“One of her classmates asked her a few months after classes began, ‘Hey, you. Why are you in the magazines my grandmother has?’ And she answered with great self-confidence: ‘Because I live in a prince’s house.’ To which the little boy answered: ‘My goodness! Well, I … I live in my grandfather’s house!”

Leonor is depicted as confident and savvy with photographers while Sofia is more shy.

In addition, Felipe and Letizia try to spend as much time as possible with their two girls. They eat meals with them, bathe, read stories and play with them. Letizia even breastfed the Infantas as babies.

Carmen Enriquez and Emilio Oliva are also the authors of the biography on Queen Sofia, in which the Queen was interviewed for. That came out in 2008 in time for her 70th birthday.

“The Prince and Princess: Prepared to Rule” is due out in Spain’s bookstores this week.

Sources: Latin American Herald Tribune, XLSemanal