In August 2001, at the wedding of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit, an event took place that captured the attention of all Spain. It was there that the then-Prince of Asturias, Felipe, chose to officially introduce his companion, the Norwegian model Eva Sannum. Rumors of their romance had already been stirring the press, especially after joint photos from their trip to India surfaced a year earlier. The couple’s appearance at such a high-profile event sent a clear message: the relationship was serious. Eva’s striking blue dress with a daring neckline left a lasting impression on Spaniards and sparked a wave of discussion. Queen Sofía was also present at the celebration and had the chance to meet her son’s girlfriend in person. The choice of the Norwegian wedding for this step was no coincidence—Prince Haakon and those close to him had often helped Felipe organize secret meetings with his beloved.
However, the fairy tale was not meant to be. Just four months later, on December 14, 2001, Prince Felipe made a surprising announcement: the relationship was over. He stated that for strictly personal reasons, he and Eva had decided to go their separate ways. With these few words, a four-year love story ended—a relationship the couple had never publicly confirmed, but which was undoubtedly significant for Spain’s future king. After that, the topic was closed, and Eva Sannum remained silent for many years, until just over a year ago, when she gave a candid interview to a Norwegian newspaper, dispelling many of the myths that had surrounded their relationship.
According to Sanum, the biggest misconception is the story of how they met. Contrary to the popular version, it wasn’t Crown Prince Haakon who introduced them at a party. It’s also untrue that their first meeting took place in Norway in the summer of 1997 at King Harald’s 60th birthday celebration. Eva explained that their encounter was purely by chance and actually happened in Madrid back in 1996. She was 21 at the time and had just moved to the Spanish capital to work as a model. They met through Carlos Mundi, the owner of the modeling agency where Eva was employed. Their first meeting happened at an informal dinner at the trendy Mexican restaurant “El Cuchi.” Prince Felipe was friends with Mundi, who moved in the same circles as Infanta Elena. So, the Norwegian heir had nothing to do with the start of this romance.
Nevertheless, Prince Haakon and his then-fiancée, Cathrine Knudsen, Eva’s friend, truly played a key role in the development of their relationship. They provided cover for the couple, allowing them to meet away from prying eyes. Felipe often flew to Norway, and the heirs to the two crowns and their chosen partners would frequently dine together as a foursome. Later, reports appeared in the press about their meetings in London, where Haakon and Mette-Marit were living at the time. The friendship between the royal families of Spain and Norway proved so strong that it withstood the test of time and difficult circumstances. When Haakon’s daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, was born, he chose Felipe as her godfather without hesitation. And although the future King of Spain could not attend the christening due to preparations for his own wedding, he later visited Oslo to congratulate his goddaughter on her coming of age, once again highlighting their close bond.
