In the grand scheme of things, the drama surrounding Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the British royals seems like child's play compared to the explosive cheating scandal that's rocking the Spanish royal family.
The instigator? Jaime Del Burgo, former brother-in-law of Queen Letizia. Del Burgo, now 53, shares a controversial past with the Spanish queen, claiming to have had an illicit affair with her while she was in a relationship with King Felipe VI, her current husband.
It all began when Del Burgo, who tied the knot with Letizia's sister Telma Ortiz in 2012, shared a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). In this post, he shared a selfie of Letizia, with some sources claiming it was taken while she was pregnant, wearing a scarf that Del Burgo claims was his. If the claim is true, the photo would have been taken between 2005 (when their first daughter, Leonor, was born) and 2007 (the birth of their second daughter, Sofía).
Del Burgo then went a step further, alleging that Letizia herself sent him this selfie with the following message: "Dearest. I'm wearing your scarf. It's as if I can feel you next to me. He takes care of me. He looks after me. I'm counting the hours until we can see each other again. I love you."
The validity of these claims is unverified, leaving many questioning whether Del Burgo is simply trying to regain the limelight. Just a few weeks prior, Del Burgo released the book "Letizia & Me," where he shared further revelations about the queen. In the book, he paints Letizia as his former great love, even claiming to have dined with her in 2002, while she allegedly admitted to being with another man - some sources suggest this was Felipe.
The scandal has brought a storm of controversy to the Spanish royal household, with many questioning the loyalty and conduct of its members. As the drama unfolds, King Felipe and Letizia continue to present themselves as a united front to the public, while Del Burgo refuses to back down from his claims.
Despite the palace's silence on the matter, it's clear that the Spanish royal family is grappling with a crisis of trust and reputation. Only time will tell whether this scandal will have lasting repercussions for the monarchy and its people.
[Enrichment Data] The allegations of infidelity have been a source of controversy and intrigue in Spanish media and tabloids. In a series of books and interviews, former colleague of Queen Letiza, Jaime Peñafl, has provided further evidence and perspective on the affair. Here are some key points:
- Book Publication: In November 2023, Peñafl published a book titled "Letizia and I," which included an interview with Jaime del Burgo. Del Burgo claimed that his affair with Letizia continued even after she married King Felipe VI, and that the queen had almost run away with him.
- Allegations of Infidelity: Del Burgo claimed that Letizia continued to see him even after marrying Felipe, and that her infidelities had almost ended their relationship. He also alleged that he drafted Letizia's prenuptial agreement, according to sources.
- Impact on the Royal Family: The scandal has had a significant impact on Letizia's reputation, with many questioning her loyalty to her husband and her role as a symbol of the monarchy. The controversy has also fueled anti-monarchical sentiments in Spain, with some seeing it as an opportunity to challenge the relevance of the monarchy.
- Public Reaction: The British press has been critical of Letizia, with tabloid journalism focusing on the scandal and its implications for the royal family. Despite this, Letizia has continued to face the public with dignity, maintaining her role as a symbol of the Spanish monarchy.
In summary, the allegations of infidelity involving Jaime del Burgo and Queen Letizia have significantly impacted the Spanish royal family, fueling public criticism and anti-monarchical sentiments. The scandal has been extensively covered in the media, with both Peñafl's book and del Burgo's claims contributing to the ongoing controversy.