Official chronicles of European monarchies, documented down to the minute, rarely leave room for personal stories. Yet, behind the polished façade of protocol events, there are truly human relationships, friendships, and mutual support. One of these informal alliances only came to light years later, thanks to revelations from Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. She spoke of a unique fellowship of future queens, which also included the then Princess of Asturias, Letizia Ortiz.
The origins of this friendship trace back to May 2004. Copenhagen hosted a lavish wedding for Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Australian Mary Donaldson. The event gathered the full spectrum of European aristocracy, but for several guests, it held special significance. During the celebration, women who would soon ascend to their respective thrones alongside their husbands met for the first time: Letizia from Spain, Máxima from the Netherlands, Mathilde from Belgium, and Mette-Marit from Norway. All of them, including the bride, were united not only by their marriages to heirs to the throne, but also by their “ordinary” backgrounds. None were born in palaces, and each experienced firsthand what it means to leave ordinary life behind and enter a world of rigid rules and age-old traditions.
It was against the backdrop of the Copenhagen celebrations that the idea emerged to create a kind of support group. As Queen Máxima later recounted, it was an elite “Club M,” named after its members (Máxima, Mary, Mette-Marit, Mathilde). Although Letizia’s name did not start with that letter, she was an integral part of the circle. Meeting in person or talking on the phone, they could share their experiences in a private setting, discuss the challenges of adapting to their new roles, and exchange advice on how to maintain their individuality under the pressures of palace protocol. This communication was invaluable for women who found themselves in similar yet quite exceptional circumstances.
Over time, as state responsibilities grew, it became increasingly difficult to maintain regular contact. The princesses became queens, their schedules grew tighter, and private life gave way to public duties. The informal group gradually faded away, remaining a warm memory of the early, most challenging stage of their journey. However, the foundations of mutual understanding laid back then have not disappeared. Even today, in 2025, a special warmth can be seen in the relationships between Spain’s Queen Letizia and Denmark’s Queen Mary, as well as with other royal women of their generation. This almost secret episode in their biographies is vivid proof that even at the height of power, there is room for genuine female friendship.
