Within the Urdangarin-Bourbon family, things are gradually falling into place, although echoes of the ‘Noos’ case still occasionally resurface. Aside from this, it could be said that Infanta Cristina is ready to reconcile with public opinion, which was once unforgiving towards her. Her appearance at the flag tribute ceremony in Torrejón de Ardoz this month seems to confirm this. Infanta Cristina and Infanta Elena, hand in hand, made their first joint public appearance in a decade, and for a moment, it felt like the 1990s had returned, when they were the most dynamic duo of the royal family. It is well known that the former Duchess of Palma spends a lot of time in Spain, not only for her children, but also to support her mother, Queen Sofía, and her aunt, Irene of Greece, with whom she is very close. Rumors persist about her frequent visits to the Zarzuela Palace.
Infanta Cristina’s presence in Spain is primarily linked to her son Pablo. She regularly visits the Granollers club’s pavilion to watch him play and, often, win. Barcelona has become her main destination in the country. Moreover, it is there that she is completing the renovation of her latest acquisition—an apartment in the prestigious Pedralbes district, where she spent the happiest years of her marriage to Iñaki Urdangarin. To the public, much of what happens in the family revolves around Pablo, mainly because the other children of the former Dukes of Palma prefer to remain anonymous and fiercely protect their privacy. Almost nothing is known about Miguel Urdangarin, except for his relationship with Olympia Beracasa. The same can be said of Juan and Irene, who live in London. Pablo’s sports career, on the other hand, puts him in the spotlight, which he cannot avoid. And this attention is only expected to grow.
It’s no secret that Infanta Cristina and Iñaki Urdangarin have a special fondness for their son Pablo, which is quite understandable given his good judgment, athletic talent, and the grace with which he handles life’s challenges. Moreover, the former Duke of Palma likely sees himself reflected in his son, offering him guidance and motivation so that he can navigate elite sports with emotional maturity. To understand Cristina de Borbón’s feelings, one only has to watch her at Granollers matches—she lives every moment of the game. One can only imagine her joy upon hearing the news that will change Pablo Urdangarin’s life, though in some ways, this turn of events seemed inevitable. Considering his successful sporting career, it was only a matter of time before he would be called up to the national handball team—a distinction previously earned by his father, Iñaki, one of the team’s most valuable players in history.
A call-up from the national team coach, Jordi Ribera, brings 24-year-old Pablo Urdangarín into the elite of his sport. His father, Iñaki, was called up to the national team at 22 and won his first European Cup in the same season. Surpassing his father’s achievements will certainly be difficult, but nothing is impossible. It’s important to remember that Iñaki Urdangarín holds the most impressive list of sporting honors in Spanish handball history—so much so that his club, Barcelona, retired his jersey number after he ended his career. Pablo Urdangarín understands the constant comparisons to his father, though he prefers to focus on his own journey, develop as a player, and see how far he can go. In a recent interview, he admitted he doesn’t like the comparisons but recognizes their inevitability and believes that if people are comparing him, he must be doing something right. He described himself as a more agile and slender version of his father. Infanta Cristina must surely feel pride and nostalgia, reliving this Olympic journey through her son’s achievements.
