In 2025, the personal lives of the younger generation of the Spanish royal family once again drew public attention. Two cousins, Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón and Irene Urdangarin, ended their romantic relationships almost simultaneously. However, the ways they chose to cope with this challenging period are fundamentally different, reflecting two completely distinct approaches to life under public scrutiny.
Victoria Federica, daughter of Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar, known for her active media presence, broke up with entrepreneur Borja Moreno Oriol after nearly a year of dating. Their separation was free of scandal. Reports say that Moreno Oriol decided to fully focus on his career in public relations. Victoria Federica, meanwhile, found comfort in a vibrant social life and the support of close friends. The summer of 2025 proved especially eventful for her: she was seen at the prestigious Starlite music festival in Marbella, actively collaborated with well-known brands, and continued to develop her personal brand on social media. Her achievements in this field earned her a nomination for the 2025 Premios Forbes award in the ‘Best Content Creator’ category, confirming her status as one of the most influential figures in Spain’s digital space.
Her cousin, Irene Urdangarin, the younger daughter of Infanta Cristina and Iñaki Urdangarin, chose a completely different approach. Her relationship with Juan Urquijo, brother-in-law of Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, lasted about two years and ended by mutual agreement. The main reasons cited for their breakup were distance and differing priorities in life, which became insurmountable obstacles for the couple. Unlike her cousin, Irene preferred to go through this period away from public attention. She spent the summer with her family, traveling between Greece and Bidart, France. She is now preparing to return to Oxford University to continue her studies. In the UK, she is supported by her older brother Juan Urdangarin, who lives permanently in London.
Thus, the breakups in the personal lives of King Felipe VI’s two nieces vividly illustrate their different personalities and life choices. While Victoria Federica openly embraces publicity as part of her life and career, facing challenges in the public eye, Irene Urdangarin consistently defends her right to privacy, preferring the peace and quiet of academia and family.
