Almudena Cathedral. Right in the heart of Madrid. Right in front of the royal palace. The excitement spread across Spain this Thursday, May 22, 2014. Crown Prince Felipe, an attractive 1.97m man, marries Letizia Ortiz, a journalist for RTVE, Spanish public television. The couple met a few years ago, at a dinner with mutual friends. Their relationship remained secret until journalists broke the news. But the lucky lady doesn’t really please her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos. Commoner, divorced, journalist… The profile of Letizia Ortiz hardly pleases the king, nor Queen Sofia for that matter. No matter, the crown prince imposes an ultimatum on his parents. It will be her and no one else. On November 1, 2003, the engagement was officially announced. On this wedding day, everyone dreams of seeing the one they have regularly seen on their small screen. This former television news presenter, to become the future queen of Spain.
Weddings that are not unanimous, marked by an anxiety-provoking climate. Indeed, a few weeks earlier, on March 11, 2004, several explosions left 191 dead and more than 1,800 injured. The deadliest terrorist attack since 1988. On this holiday, everyone fears a new attack. Security is at its maximum, especially since many heads of state and crowned heads have made the trip. Police officers and civil guards are on edge. Those who came to attend the wedding, massed behind the gates, try to forget this tense atmosphere. Fortunately, in stores, plates, mugs and sewing dice bearing the image of the bride and groom as well as blood and gold flags liven up the windows and warm hearts.
Downpours for Letizia and Felipe’s wedding
Unfortunately, the capricious weather will also play havoc with the holidays. Around 11 a.m., when the crown prince arrived on the arm of his mother, Queen Sofia, downpours fell on Madrid. The bride had to arrive on foot from the royal palace where she adorned herself in her most beautiful finery. But the rain came to upset the well-oiled protocol of the crown. A black Rolls Royce was urgently dispatched and the new princess of Spain was dropped off in front of the Almudena cathedral, without her sublime pearly silk dress or her pretty bun catching a single drop of water!
Majestic, all in sobriety, the one who abandoned her journalistic ambitions, looks around at the man she has chosen as her husband, when she arrives on the arm of her father, Jesus Ortiz. He welcomes her, all smiles, moved, placing a tender, chaste kiss on her cheek. The Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid then opened the ceremony, in front of nearly 1,600 guests. The voices are full of emotion, the two lovers exchange vows and alliances.
Rolls Royce, balcony and royal lunch
Around the cathedral, equipped with umbrellas and windbreakers, thousands of Spaniards applaud the newlyweds. Behind their television screens, there are also more than 25 million viewers following live the nuptials of the future king and queen of Spain. As they left the religious ceremony, the princely couple shyly greeted the 2,000 lucky people allowed to wait in front of the cathedral.
They then board a black Rolls Royce to reach the royal palace and salute on the balcony. A shy display of affection melts the crowds, before the Spaniards cheer the reunited royal family, Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia joining the young couple. Lunch is finally served at the royal palace in Madrid. On the menu: puff pastry tart with seafood on a bed of vegetables, roasted capon with thyme accompanied by dried fruits and wedding tart are served to 330 hand-picked guests. A historic day that will remain, for many, marked in the memories.
Photo credits: JLPPA / Bestimage