When Queen Letizia entered the hall for the prestigious awards ceremony, no one expected to see Jaime de Marichalar among the guests. His appearance caused a genuine sensation among those following the life of the Spanish royal family. Normally, the former husband of Infanta Elena prefers to stay out of the spotlight, avoiding public events and media attention. But this time, he chose a different approach—and found himself at the center of attention.
Marichalar is known for his reserve and reluctance to be part of high society following his divorce from Elena and the loss of his title as Duke of Lugo. Even when his children, Froilán and Victoria Federica, make tabloid headlines, he remains in his self-imposed isolation. However, this time things unfolded differently, and his presence at an official event with Letizia prompted many questions.
A surprising turn of events
In recent months, Marichalar’s name has been back in the spotlight due to King Juan Carlos’s memoirs. In the book, the former monarch openly criticizes his ex-son-in-law, accusing him of paying insufficient attention to his son’s upbringing. These remarks clearly affected Marichalar, who has always tried to distance himself from scandals and public disputes. After the book’s release, he disappeared from view altogether, only fueling further interest in his persona.
And now, as speculation around the royal family shows no sign of fading, Marichalar has made an unexpected appearance at the International Journalism Awards. The event took place at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando—a venue where chance encounters are rare. The guest list was known in advance, making it unlikely that his name appeared there by coincidence.
Unanswered questions
What could have prompted Marichalar to take such a step? Some believe he wanted to remind everyone of his ties to the Bourbon family. Others are convinced it was an attempt to reconnect with Letizia or at least demonstrate he is still part of the inner circle. However, Marichalar himself looked visibly tense and was clearly not pleased by the journalists’ attention. His reaction to questions about meeting the Queen was curt and even irritable.
Not a single photo has emerged showing the former Duke of Lugo and Letizia speaking or even simply greeting each other in public. Perhaps they exchanged a few words backstage, but officially nothing is known. In any case, their encounter has sparked a new wave of rumors and debate in Spanish society.
A fine line
The history of Marichalar’s relationship with the royal family has always been complicated. After his divorce from Elena, he tried not to interfere in the affairs of his former relatives, while maintaining a certain distance and respect. His appearance at an event attended by Letizia can be seen as a kind of gesture—perhaps an attempt to remind people of his presence or even to show support during a challenging time for the family.
On the other hand, such moves always provoke mixed reactions. Some see it as a desire to return to public life, while others view it as an attempt at reconciliation. But one thing is clear: Marichalar is not someone who acts on impulse. His decisions are always measured, and his actions carefully thought out to the smallest detail.
Private and public
Recalling Marichalar’s previous encounters with members of the royal family, it’s evident they always took place for respectful reasons—whether it was his friendship with a renowned cardiologist or his participation in mourning ceremonies. This time, his motives remain unclear, which only adds to the intrigue surrounding him. Perhaps he simply wanted to support acquaintances among the awardees or organizers, or maybe he used the occasion to speak privately with Letizia.
One way or another, his appearance did not go unnoticed. Even if there was no open dialogue between him and the Queen, the very fact that they attended the same event became news across Spain. Public debate continues: was it a coincidence, or a carefully orchestrated move?
RUSSPAIN notes that Jaime de Marichalar is a Spanish aristocrat, former husband of Infanta Elena and father of two children. After their divorce in 2007, he lost the title of Duke of Lugo and has since led a very private life. Nevertheless, his name regularly appears in the news, especially in connection with events involving the royal family. Marichalar is known for his reserve and reluctance to comment on his personal life, which only fuels public interest in his rare appearances.
