Queen Letizia Celebrates Her Birthday, And The Love Of A Nation

Queen Letizia of Spain is 53 years aged today, September 15, a female whose singular travel from a middle-class upbringing to nan pinnacle of European royalty continues to fascinate nan nation.

Born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano connected September 15, 1972, successful Oviedo, Asturias, she personifies nan exemplary of nan modern monarch – intelligent, resilient, and profoundly committed to nationalist service. As Spain coming reflects connected her life, and it’s clear why she remains 1 of Europe’s astir loved figures.

Letizia’s early years were grounded successful a humble family environment. The eldest girl of journalist Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez and caregiver Maria de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodriguez, she grew up pinch her 2 younger sisters successful bluish Spain earlier nan family relocated to Madrid.

Education was played an basal role; she attended La Gesta Public School and later nan prestigious Ramiro de Maeztu School. Inspired by her father’s profession, Letizia chose to study publicity astatine nan Complutense University successful Madrid, wherever she earned a bachelor’s grade and a master’s successful audiovisual journalism. By her early 20s, she was already a rising prima successful nan media world, and contributed to outlets for illustration ABC and EFE news agency while she supported economically herself done her studies.

Letizia, accomplished journalist

Her profession flourished arsenic a broadcast journalist. She anchored for CNN+ and Television Española’s Telediario, arsenic she covered awesome events including nan 9/11 attacks and nan Iraq War. In 1998, astatine property 26, she joined lit coach Alonso Guerrero Perez successful a civilian ceremony, but nan national ended successful divorcement nan pursuing twelvemonth – a section that would later substance nationalist curiosity astir her way to royalty. Undeterred, Letizia’s master skills led her to a fateful brushwood successful 2002. While reporting connected nan Prestige lipid spill disaster successful Galicia, she met then-Prince Felipe, heir to nan Spanish throne. Their romance blossomed quickly and defied traditions arsenic Letizia became nan first commoner successful complete a period to wed into nan Bourbon dynasty.

The couple’s engagement was announced successful Madrid connected November 1, 2003, and brought nan metropolis to a standstill. Their May 22, 2004, wedding astatine Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena Cathedral successful Madrid opened a caller era for nan monarchy. As Princess of Asturias, Letizia adapted successful nary clip astatine all, arsenic she represented Spain overseas and supporting her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos I. The mates welcomed daughters Leonor (born 2005, now Princess of Asturias) and Sofía (born 2007).

Letizia’s ascent to queen

Letizia’s ascent to queenship came dramatically connected June 19, 2014, erstwhile Juan Carlos abdicated amid scandals, raising Felipe to King Felipe VI. Overnight, Letizia became Queen Consort but maintained her elegant poise nether contempt aggravated nationalist scrutiny. Her modulation was seamless, marked by a dedication to causes adjacent to her journalistic heart: children’s rights, women’s empowerment, education, and wellness initiatives for disabilities. Through nan Queen Letizia Foundation and high-profile patronage, she has championed vocational training and taste preservation and often visits schools and hospitals to advocator for nan vulnerable.

What makes Queen Letizia truthful loved? Her relatability is key. As Spain’s first “commoner queen”, she bridges nan spread betwixt nan palace and nan group and draws from her ain experiences, thing which cultivates empathy. Spaniards admit her no-nonsense approach; she’s unafraid to reside societal issues head-on, from home unit to world poverty. Her style is simply a commanding operation of elegance and accessibility, favouring designers for illustration Carolina Herrera while incorporating modern twists for illustration white trainers, which has earned her “fashion queen” status, influencing trends worldwide.