Friday, January 30, 2004
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Watching the opera Tosca
Night at Opera for Spanish Royals and Letizia Ortiz
Crown Prince Felipe's fiancée, Letizia Ortiz, seemed to be getting on swimmingly with her future mother-in-law during a night out in Madrid.
The former newsreader was accompanied by her husband-to-be and Queen Sofia when she stepped out for a new production of Tosca. The three were pictured smiling and laughing together as they arrived for the performance in the city's Royal Opera House.
Letizia, who used to present the main evening news programme on Spanish television, has become something of a national obsession since her engagement to the future king was announced. Already "Letty" confectionery has filled the shelves of Spanish shops and the 31-year-old's every movement is eagerly followed by the press.
The anticipation will reach its climax on May 22, when the happy couple make their vows in Madrid's spectacular Almudena Cathedral.
Crown Prince Felipe's fiancée, Letizia Ortiz, seemed to be getting on swimmingly with her future mother-in-law during a night out in Madrid.
The former newsreader was accompanied by her husband-to-be and Queen Sofia when she stepped out for a new production of Tosca. The three were pictured smiling and laughing together as they arrived for the performance in the city's Royal Opera House.
Letizia, who used to present the main evening news programme on Spanish television, has become something of a national obsession since her engagement to the future king was announced. Already "Letty" confectionery has filled the shelves of Spanish shops and the 31-year-old's every movement is eagerly followed by the press.
The anticipation will reach its climax on May 22, when the happy couple make their vows in Madrid's spectacular Almudena Cathedral.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Monday, December 22, 2003
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Friday, December 19, 2003
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Saturday, December 06, 2003
25th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution
Felipe and Letizia, together with the whole Spanish Royal Family went to a special session at the Spanish Parliament, to a parade and to a concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution. It was Letizia's first appearance at an official engagement with the whole family.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
The official engagement ceremony
The solemnization of the engagement took place at El Pardo Palace.
After King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia formally asked Letizia's parents for her hand in marriage, the couple took a stroll around the palace gardens and then proceeded to talk to the press. There were about 350 accredited journalists from 12 countries.
Felipe:
The wedding, as you know, will take place at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. We still have to choose the date; so we don't want to make any announcements about the date to not cause any rumors.
In the meantime Letizia greets the press.
Felipe (at the question when they took the decision to get married):
Well, when did we decide it?
Letizia:
Some time ago.
Felipe:
It has sufficiently been long enough. What happened is, that we need... we needed some more time to prepare all this, but well, at least we had the confidence that the decision was taken.
Letizia:
And the conviction. It has been difficult [to be discrete] and more with my friends knowing about it. It has been difficult.
Letizia (about gifts):
It's a ring , I believe it is made of white gold, and here... (she shows the ring)
Felipe:
A modern design...
Letizia:
I don't know how to show my hand... this way...?
Felipe:
I got cuff-links made of sapphires and white gold.
Letizia:
...Yes, now I gave these...
Felipe:
Apart we also have other gifts that we will give to each other later, but we already told each other about them. I will give her a family piece of jewellery and ...
Letizia (interrupting him):
I gave him a literary gift, a beautiful book he had been searching for for a long time, from 1850 by Mariano José de Larra, a precious edition, with a chivalrous story from the 15th century [El doncel de don Enrique el Doliente]. Well, a book I wanted him to have.
Felipe:
It's a family piece of jewellery with pearls and sapphires. A necklace.
Felipe (about the future marriage):
Well, as I've already told you the other day, Monday, first of all it means... [asks for silence]... first of all it means the continuation, it allows the possibility of another link in the dynastic chain, that connects us with history. Apart from that it allows me to integrate a value, an active one, to my work and the representative function and to improve my work in the general interests of the Spanish people. And, personally, of course a tremendous support for its qualities and values. They are going to be fundamental and are going to be a big benefit.
Letizia (asked about her future professional plans and if she's going to accompany Felipe on his voyages):
Well, principally, since the announcement of the engagement and since today, the asking of the hand, it is clear that this is a point in the professional work I was exercising until now. What I wish, what we intend to do is that I'll slowly leave TVE, not immediately. And it's also clear that from now on and in a progressive way, I'm going to intigrate and dedicate myself to this new life, well, with the responsibilities and obligations that go with it and with the support and affection of...
Felipe wants to interfere.
Letizia:
... Let me finish...! the affection of the King and Queen and of course after the priceless example of the Queen.
Felipe:
She will have enough work to do and will have very busy days.
(Asked about the qualities of each other)
Felipe:
You're asking me first? Well, there are many, evidently in the eyes of many, but I believe, her eloquence and intelligence, her spirit of responsibility in her work, her courage, I believe all that has been very important. She has many principles, a rectitude and exemplary nature with her work, that has always impressed me and since I know her, much more.
Letizia:
Also before, eh? On my side, he is an exceptional human being, he is very respectful and sensitive, intelligent, a great speaker, which is very important for me. For a while, he has been interested in personal growth and to have a vision on the world that is very just and he is very dedicated to it.
Felipe:
I'm going to remind you of this, eh?
Letizia:
True.
Felipe (about descendants):
We can't say this for sure, but, well, the intention is, well, maybe more than two and less than five.
Letizia:
Hey!/Go on!
Felipe (Asked if they'll going to do their first voyage together to Asturia):
We don't know that yet, but of course Asturia will be a very important point on the calendar, I don't know when or how...
Letizia:
A greeting with lots of affection. I truly desire to go there. Because I went to the Príncipe of Asturias Awards, but I would like to return, of course.
Felipe (about how long they've known each other):
Well, the first time we met was a bit more than one year ago, but, well, it was a casual meeting without any consequences. It was during the spring that we started to have more contact and the relationship developed.
Felipe (asked if they have been together on Saturday when the Palace gave the notice he answered affirmative. So the journalist went on asking if they´ve been in Spain or abroad):
We have been outside of Madrid. If you want to know, we are going there now ...
Letizia:
Now I understand the participants of press conferences, now I understand them.
Felipe:
Well, but now the shoe is on the other foot.
Letizia:
No, no, but now it's getting expensive.
They say goodbye.
Felipe:
Thank to all of you and we expect that the next 6 months, 8 months or how many there will going to be, will be ... magical
Letizia:
Thanks, Thanks very much.
(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)
After King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia formally asked Letizia's parents for her hand in marriage, the couple took a stroll around the palace gardens and then proceeded to talk to the press. There were about 350 accredited journalists from 12 countries.
Felipe:
The wedding, as you know, will take place at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. We still have to choose the date; so we don't want to make any announcements about the date to not cause any rumors.
In the meantime Letizia greets the press.
Felipe (at the question when they took the decision to get married):
Well, when did we decide it?
Letizia:
Some time ago.
Felipe:
It has sufficiently been long enough. What happened is, that we need... we needed some more time to prepare all this, but well, at least we had the confidence that the decision was taken.
Letizia:
And the conviction. It has been difficult [to be discrete] and more with my friends knowing about it. It has been difficult.
Letizia (about gifts):
It's a ring , I believe it is made of white gold, and here... (she shows the ring)
Felipe:
A modern design...
Letizia:
I don't know how to show my hand... this way...?
Felipe:
I got cuff-links made of sapphires and white gold.
Letizia:
...Yes, now I gave these...
Felipe:
Apart we also have other gifts that we will give to each other later, but we already told each other about them. I will give her a family piece of jewellery and ...
Letizia (interrupting him):
I gave him a literary gift, a beautiful book he had been searching for for a long time, from 1850 by Mariano José de Larra, a precious edition, with a chivalrous story from the 15th century [El doncel de don Enrique el Doliente]. Well, a book I wanted him to have.
Felipe:
It's a family piece of jewellery with pearls and sapphires. A necklace.
Felipe (about the future marriage):
Well, as I've already told you the other day, Monday, first of all it means... [asks for silence]... first of all it means the continuation, it allows the possibility of another link in the dynastic chain, that connects us with history. Apart from that it allows me to integrate a value, an active one, to my work and the representative function and to improve my work in the general interests of the Spanish people. And, personally, of course a tremendous support for its qualities and values. They are going to be fundamental and are going to be a big benefit.
Letizia (asked about her future professional plans and if she's going to accompany Felipe on his voyages):
Well, principally, since the announcement of the engagement and since today, the asking of the hand, it is clear that this is a point in the professional work I was exercising until now. What I wish, what we intend to do is that I'll slowly leave TVE, not immediately. And it's also clear that from now on and in a progressive way, I'm going to intigrate and dedicate myself to this new life, well, with the responsibilities and obligations that go with it and with the support and affection of...
Felipe wants to interfere.
Letizia:
... Let me finish...! the affection of the King and Queen and of course after the priceless example of the Queen.
Felipe:
She will have enough work to do and will have very busy days.
(Asked about the qualities of each other)
Felipe:
You're asking me first? Well, there are many, evidently in the eyes of many, but I believe, her eloquence and intelligence, her spirit of responsibility in her work, her courage, I believe all that has been very important. She has many principles, a rectitude and exemplary nature with her work, that has always impressed me and since I know her, much more.
Letizia:
Also before, eh? On my side, he is an exceptional human being, he is very respectful and sensitive, intelligent, a great speaker, which is very important for me. For a while, he has been interested in personal growth and to have a vision on the world that is very just and he is very dedicated to it.
Felipe:
I'm going to remind you of this, eh?
Letizia:
True.
Felipe (about descendants):
We can't say this for sure, but, well, the intention is, well, maybe more than two and less than five.
Letizia:
Hey!/Go on!
Felipe (Asked if they'll going to do their first voyage together to Asturia):
We don't know that yet, but of course Asturia will be a very important point on the calendar, I don't know when or how...
Letizia:
A greeting with lots of affection. I truly desire to go there. Because I went to the Príncipe of Asturias Awards, but I would like to return, of course.
Felipe (about how long they've known each other):
Well, the first time we met was a bit more than one year ago, but, well, it was a casual meeting without any consequences. It was during the spring that we started to have more contact and the relationship developed.
Felipe (asked if they have been together on Saturday when the Palace gave the notice he answered affirmative. So the journalist went on asking if they´ve been in Spain or abroad):
We have been outside of Madrid. If you want to know, we are going there now ...
Letizia:
Now I understand the participants of press conferences, now I understand them.
Felipe:
Well, but now the shoe is on the other foot.
Letizia:
No, no, but now it's getting expensive.
They say goodbye.
Felipe:
Thank to all of you and we expect that the next 6 months, 8 months or how many there will going to be, will be ... magical
Letizia:
Thanks, Thanks very much.
(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)
Monday, November 03, 2003
Prince Felipe & Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano appear before the press for the first time
The couple's first public appearance together was on November 3rd, 2003, Queen Sofia's birthday.
They gave a quick interview to a lot of journalists at the garden of the Prince's house, next to the Zarzuela Palace.
Felipe: We wanted, once we made the official announcement of our engagement, to appear before you all and the Spanish population to thank you for the numerous samples of affection that we have received these two days and also to be together. I am very happy to be able to show how happy our engagement has made me and how in love I am with Letizia. For every couple, it is an important step to become engaged. I say to you with conviction that Letizia is the woman with whom I want to share my life and to form a family and in addition, as to the Crown, I have the security of knowing that Letizia unites all the qualities and capacities necessary to assume the responsibilities and functions as Princess of Asturias and as future Queen of Spain. Our coming together allows us to give continuity to the parliamentary monarchy as it consecrates our Constitution. But above else, We present ourselves here in love, committed, with conviction and full of hope and, of course, devoted to serving Spain and the Spaniards. Thanks.
Letizia: I understand the surprise that this decision caused nearly everyone, but it is a mature decision, the fruit of very intense reflections and covered with the weight and the sureness of the deep love that we have ourselves and of the course that we've undertaken together. From when I was very young I was always a journalist and until the 31 years that I am now, I have exerted my profession with desire, dreams, determination and in that same way I now confront what we started now, with responsibility, vision and hard work to serve Spain and the Spaniards.
(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)
They gave a quick interview to a lot of journalists at the garden of the Prince's house, next to the Zarzuela Palace.
Felipe: We wanted, once we made the official announcement of our engagement, to appear before you all and the Spanish population to thank you for the numerous samples of affection that we have received these two days and also to be together. I am very happy to be able to show how happy our engagement has made me and how in love I am with Letizia. For every couple, it is an important step to become engaged. I say to you with conviction that Letizia is the woman with whom I want to share my life and to form a family and in addition, as to the Crown, I have the security of knowing that Letizia unites all the qualities and capacities necessary to assume the responsibilities and functions as Princess of Asturias and as future Queen of Spain. Our coming together allows us to give continuity to the parliamentary monarchy as it consecrates our Constitution. But above else, We present ourselves here in love, committed, with conviction and full of hope and, of course, devoted to serving Spain and the Spaniards. Thanks.
Letizia: I understand the surprise that this decision caused nearly everyone, but it is a mature decision, the fruit of very intense reflections and covered with the weight and the sureness of the deep love that we have ourselves and of the course that we've undertaken together. From when I was very young I was always a journalist and until the 31 years that I am now, I have exerted my profession with desire, dreams, determination and in that same way I now confront what we started now, with responsibility, vision and hard work to serve Spain and the Spaniards.
(dialogue translation courtesy of nettyroyal.nl)
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