Claims of Queen Letizia's infidelity, as documented in a new book by seasoned journalist Jaime Peñafiel, have shaken the Spanish royal family. According to the book, "Letizia's Silences," King Felipe was horrified to discover that his wife had an affair, which her bodyguards were supposedly aware of and were supposed to report.
Peñafiel claims that during a 2011 trip to New York, Letizia was accompanied by her rumored lover, Jaime del Burgo. This relationship allegedly began before Letizia met Felipe in 2002. The book alleges that King Felipe was informed of Letizia's actions and felt 'crushed and destroyed' by what he saw as a profound betrayal.
Peñafiel's exposé is said to have included contributions from del Burgo, who was previously married to Letizia's sister, Telma. He asserted they kept their love affair even after Letizia wed Felipe in 2004. Del Burgo stated that he had planned to propose to Letizia when she revealed she was dating Felipe.
According to Daily Mail, del Burgo also claims that Queen Letizia requested to see him the night before her wedding to King Felipe at the exclusive El Latigazo restaurant in Madrid. She reportedly held his hand during their meeting and asked why he had never proposed. Del Burgo did not respond but offered her encouragement. Before parting ways, Letizia allegedly made a heartfelt plea, asking him never to leave her.
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Peñafiel's narrative suggests that Letizia's actions caused significant turmoil within the royal family. He describes her as cold, indestructible, and determined, using silence to control. The author also suggests that Letizia is 'emotionally immature' and 'hated' by King Felipe's family, attributing this animosity to her perceived passive-aggressive nature.
Peñafiel also asserts that King Felipe and Queen Letizia are no longer living together and are only putting on a public front. In an interview, Peñafiel expressed doubt that the couple even share the same residence, describing Felipe as a good person bravely enduring the harm Letizia has caused him. He speculated that while a divorce is unlikely, they might follow an arrangement similar to King Felipe's parents, Juan Carlos and Sofia, who live independently.
Peñafiel, who has chronicled the Spanish royals for decades, was dismissed from El Mundo newspaper in January after making several controversial claims about the royal family in his first book, "Letizia & I." His latest work reiterates these allegations and portrays Letizia as a divisive figure within the monarchy.
Peñafiel's claims are expected to be met with skepticism. His previous book faced significant backlash, with critics accusing him of attacking Queen Letizia for sexist and classist reasons. Journalist Rosa Villacastin countered Peñafiel's attempts to discredit Letizia, noting that his actions have backfired, as many support the Queen. She emphasized the pride in Letizia's rise from the granddaughter of a taxi driver to the Queen of Spain, highlighting the progressiveness of her position.
Despite the scandalous claims, King Felipe and Queen Letizia recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with formal family photographs that included their daughters, Princesses Leonor and Sofia.
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