This year, the Spanish royal family’s Christmas traditions will see significant changes. After many years of large family gatherings, the monarchs have decided to celebrate the holidays in a more intimate setting. For the first time in a long while, only a small part of the family will gather at the La Zarzuela residence, while the remaining members will split into separate groups and celebrate Christmas in different countries and cities.
The main celebration will be held with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughtersβPrincess Leonor and Infanta SofΓa. They will be joined by just two guests: the Queen’s mother, Paloma Rocasolano, and her companion, British businessman Marcus Brandler. The evening will have a traditional atmosphere, but without the usual grandeur and large number of relatives. Letizia’s father, JesΓΊs Ortiz, will visit only after the holidaysβfor a family get-together on Three Kings’ Day to share the traditional Christmas cake.
Family travels
The second group consists of Infantas Cristina and Elena, who do not want to leave their father, former King Juan Carlos, alone during the holidays. They plan to meet with him either in Abu Dhabi, where he has been living in recent years, or in Switzerland, where his longtime friend Marta GayΓ‘ often stays. They may be joined by the Infantasβ childrenβFroilΓ‘n, Victoria Federica, Juan, Pablo, Miguel, and Irene Urdangarin. However, plans may change due to personal circumstances: IΓ±aki Urdangarin and his companion Ainhoa Armentia may celebrate the holidays separately, which could affect the groupβs gathering.
This separation has marked a new phase for the royal family, where personal relationships and circumstances increasingly influence traditional gatherings. In recent years, disagreements among relatives have also impacted the way the holidays are celebrated.
Queen Sofiaβs Traditions
The third holiday scenario revolves around Queen Sofia. She prefers to celebrate Christmas according to her own customs and does not join the main part of the family on the eve of the holiday, despite living in the same residence. Sofia will spend the night with her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, and will call relatives in Greece. However, after Christmas, she always meets with her son, as she never misses the traditional Mass on the night of December 25.
This approach to the holiday highlights the individuality of each family member and their efforts to preserve personal traditions. Despite being apart, everyone tries to stay connected and find time for family gatherings, even if not everyone can be present.
The impact of the new memoirs
Against the backdrop of changing family dynamics, former king Juan Carlos I recently published memoirs titled βReconciliation.β In the book, he shares personal memories and discusses difficult moments within the family, including his relationships with his son Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Sofia, and other relatives. The publication has sparked widespread discussion and renewed interest in the private lives of the monarchs.
This year, the Spanish royal family is embracing a new way of celebrating, emphasizing personal connections and individual preferences. Despite a smaller gathering and the absence of traditional large-scale events, each family member is making an effort to preserve the Christmas spirit and support their loved ones.
In case you didn’t know, Juan Carlos I is the former king of Spain, who abdicated the throne in 2014 in favor of his son Felipe VI. In recent years, he has lived outside the country, mainly in Abu Dhabi. Queen Sofia, Juan Carlos’s wife, is known for her commitment to tradition and charitable work. Princess Leonor is the heir to the Spanish throne, and Infanta Sofia is her younger sister. The Bourbon family is considered one of the oldest dynasties in Europe.
