The Spanish royal family, often criticised for giving away little about their private lives, have belied their reputation by releasing a series of candid photographs. To mark King Felipe VI’s 50th birthday tomorrow, the pictures show the day-to-day life of the monarch and his family.
In one, he is pictured sharing a joke over a meal with Queen Letizia and princesses Leonor, 12, and Sofía, 10. In another, the princesses watch as their father delivers the traditional televised Christmas message.
Another photograph shows Felipe taking Leonor’s hand as he carries her bag on their way to school. He is also shown chatting in a car with Letizia, a former television presenter, implying that it was a rare moment of peace. Other shots show Felipe at a bullfight, piloting a helicopter and consulting his telephone while on his way to a royal engagement.
Ana Romero Galán, the author of a new book about Felipe called The King’s Mirror, said: “This is a real departure for the royal household. They see releasing these images as a touch of modernity.”
Felipe came to the throne in 2014 when his father, Juan Carlos, 80, abdicated after 39 years due to ill health and damaging scandals.
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Felipe sought to modernise the royal household by introducing measures to combat corruption and provide more transparency.
The reforms appear to have restored the popularity of the monarchy.