Letizia clings onto Felipe's arm as the Spanish Royal Family continue their united front at an awards ceremony – after bombshell claims about Queen's 'affair' with her brother-in-law

Queen Letizia of Spain put on another united front with her husband King Felipe as the couple attended an event with their daughters Crown Princess Leonor, 18, and Princess Sofia, 17, today.

The family was snapped smiling as they made a public appearance at the Princess of Girona awards 2024 at the Costa Brava Palace Congress in Lloret de Mar.

Their engagement follows the two princesses making a solo appearance earlier in the day, when they met young people from the Princess of Girona Foundation.   

The organisation supports young people in their professional and personal development.

It has has an interest in identifying young people with talent who can act as role models for other young people – while launching programmes to improve their employability.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia (both pictured) attended the Princess of Girona awards 2024 at the Costa Brava Palace Congress today

A FAMILY AFFAIR: The Spanish royal couple were joined by their two daughters, Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia (all pictured)

Leonor and Sofia’s rare joint appearance without their parents earlier today suggests they are taking further steps towards becoming Spanish working royals.

As well as smiling for photographs, the family presented a cohesive image, wearing coordinating outfits for their outing this evening.

Queen Letizia was stylish in a pale blue knee length frock featuring a bold black floral print. She completed the look with black strappy sandals, and a small black handbag.

King Felipe was equally dapper, opting for a navy two-piece suit which he paired with a patterned tie in a brighter blue.

And the two princess also sported the colour, with Sofia wearing co-ordinating flared trousers and a long-sleeved top in a mid blue shade, and Leonor opting for a lace midi dress in a darker tone.

The teenage royals had changed out of the ensembles they wore for their earlier engagement, during which they greeted people from the Princess of Girona Foundation programs at the Gardens of Saint Clotilde in Lloret de Mar. 

For that outing, Princess Leonor chose a green blazer which she wore over a white top, completing her look with white trousers and beige stilettos. 

Meanwhile Sofia, looked summary in a blue dress which she paired with nude ballerina pumps.

Queen Letizia (pictured) appeared chic as ever during the event, donning a very pale blue knee length dress and low-heeled sandals

ROYAL BLUE: The three royal women all donned blue outfits, looking coordinated for their rare family appearance today

Queen Letizia appeared proud of her royal daughters as she was pictured beaming at them during the engagement

The family outing followed the two princesses stepping out without their parents, suggesting they are taking steps towards life as working royals

The stylish royal was photographed smiling as she attended the event alongside her husband and their two daughters

King Felipe and Queen Letizia (both pictured) have not commented on the claims made by Jaime Del Burgo

The family appearance comes after the latest bombshell claims from Letizia’s former brother-in-law Jaime Del Burgo, who earlier this year suggested they had an ‘affair’ after her marriage to the King.

The businessman – who dated the Queen when she was still a newsreader and he was married to her sister Telma (a two year union lasting from 2012 until 2014) has since claimed that he is still in contact with the royal in an interview with Argentinian newspaper Clarín.

He said: ‘We have shared many years of our lives together. We have been a family. s I have always said, ours was not a relationship of lovers. The lover would be him, in any case. I mean Felipe.’

Yesterday, Letizia and Felipe – who have made no public response to the claims – were again joined by their daughters as they met with winners of previous editions of the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards during the events of the XV anniversary for the organisation at the Melia Lloret de Mar Hotel.

The couple showed no sign of turmoil during the appearance, during which Letizia looked typically elegant in a cream sleeveless dress, featuring a daring slit and statement neckline, teamed with a pair of white heels and a matching handbag.

Appearing equally sophisticated, her husband wore a cream blazer and blue shirt.

The Foundation, which is currently chaired by the King on behalf of Princess Leonor, works for young people in all areas that are critical for their future.

It seeks to become a benchmark at national level in supporting young people in their professional and personal development.

In particular, the awards ceremony recognises talented young people who are held up as role models for their good work.

The two princesses were snapped smiling as they hugged each other while attending the Princess of Girona 2024 Awards ceremony this evening

Queen Letizia was photographed holding onto her husband’s arm as they made their joint appearance

At one point, the quartet appeared to be sharing a family joke, with the King lookin

This evening’s engagement follows a busy few days for the four royals, with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia having visited a sculpting studio in Barcelona earlier in the day, before their appearance that night.

The teenage daughters of King Felipe and Queen Letizia opted for a summery look as they made the special visit to renowned artist Jaume Plensa’s studio. 

Their flawless appearance cemented their status once more as promising heirs to the throne and the future of the crown. 

Leonor has stepped up her role since turning 18 last October, and it appears the crown is looking to her for a fresh start after years of scandal plaguing the monarchy. 

The princesses were immaculately turned out in their summery outfits, and even wore matching espadrille sandals from Spanish brand Macarena Shoes. 

The royals put on a united front as they were pictured taking their seats during the awards ceremony 

CLOSE: Queen Letizia and her daughter Crown Princess Leonor shared a sweet hug during the event

Today’s engagements gave the Spanish Royal Family a chance to make a rare appearance all together (pictured: Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia)

Eldest daughter Leonor paired a blouse with puffed sleeves with matching jeans, looking radiant as she attended gold hoops and a star-shaped piercing. 

Meanwhile Sofia opted for wide leg trousers and a blouse from Ba&sh, one of her favourite brands in a boho-style design.  

The royal visit highlighted their interest in contemporary art and culture, as they admired Plensa’s acclaimed works and engaged in discussions with the artist. 

The event is part of the Princess of Girona Awards, which will be presented on July 10.  

‘The Princess has a huge job to do. At 18, it’s time to speak on behalf of so many like her who are looking for a space and a voice in society,’ said the event’s host, according to Spain’s Hola Magazine. 

Their family engagements come amid a turbulent time for the Spanish royal family, which began earlier this year, following the publication of a bombshell book by veteran Spanish journalist Jaime Penafiel.

Letizia’s former brother-in-law told the author that he met Letizia before 2000 and their alleged relationship began on a romantic trip to Venice, years before she met King Felipe.

Jaime – who is the son of the former politician Jaime Ignacio del Burgo – claims he was planning to propose to Letizia when she announced that she was dating a mysterious ‘diplomat’ over dinner at the Ritz hotel in Madrid in 2002.

Describing how ‘serious and significant’ their relationship was, the author made the unlikely claim that Jaime was ‘carrying an engagement ring his his pocket’ that evening.

Letizia reportedly told him that she had ‘met someone who would oblige her to quit her profession’, which Jaime said led him to deduce her mystery partner was Felipe. 

After the pair reportedly decided to just be friends, Jaime is said to have advised Letizia: ‘Don’t announce the romance, just the wedding.’ 

TIMELINE OF DEL BURGO’S CLAIMS ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH SPAIN’S ROYAL FAMILY

Pre-2000 – Letizia Ortiz, who was a newsreader at the time, meets Jaime del Burgo – the son of a politician – and the pair start dating2001 – Letizia and King Felipe meet on the site of a oil spillage. Jaime claims he was planning to propose when she told him about her new royal romance2003 – Letizia and Felipe announce engagement. 2004 – The couple marry at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. Jaime claims he was asked to be a witness during the ceremony2005 – The couple welcome Princess LeonorFebruary 2007 – Letizia’s sister Erika suddenly passes away April 2007 – Princess Sofia is born. During one of her pregnancies, Jaime claims Letizia sends him a selfie confessing her love.2010 – The couple reportedly profess their love for one another and allegedly meet with lawyers. Jaime claims they looked at properties in the US to move to. He also claims Letizia suggested they use a surrogate in LA to have a baby2011 – Jaime claims Letizia ends their relationship over the phone2012 – Jaime marries Letizia’s sister Telma. The couple relocate to New York2014 – Telma and Jaime announce their separation

 

Following their engagement announcement in 2003, Letizia – who had divorced her first husband in 1999 – allegedly asked Jaime to be a witness at their wedding.

What’s more, the royal’s ex-brother-in-law also made the far-fetched claim that he ‘dealt’ with Letizia’s pre-nuptial agreement and helped to front the cost of the Queen’s family’s wedding outfits.

He was quoted as saying: ‘When the wedding with Felipe came round, I dealt with the pre-nuptial agreement as you know, amongst other things.

‘I also had to pay Letizia’s family’s expenses because [former King] Juan Carlos refused to pay or even go halves with me. So with the help of my friend Felipe Varela, I dressed her mum, grandmother and her sisters. And with the help of Jaime Jason, her father, grandparents and a cousin.’ 

Jaime also made the incredible claim that the Queen asked to see him the night before the wedding at the exclusive El Latigazo restaurant in Madrid – where she asked him to ‘never leave’ her.

He sensationally claimed: ‘When we met, she took hold of my hand and asked me why I had never asked her to marry me. Obviously I didn’t reply. I encouraged her as best I could. The last thing she said to me before we said goodbye to each other in that restaurant was a request: ‘Never leave me.”

In the book, Del Burgo described Felipe as a ‘kind-hearted man’ and even goes on to say that he had a ‘great friendship’ with the royal.  He told the author: ‘I told him my problems and he told [me] his.’

The businessman even claims that Felipe ‘uses [him] as a good man because he felt incapable of calming [Letizia] down’ on occasions. 

Following the wedding, Jaime described how Letizia was like a ‘fox in a chicken coop’ as she was ‘cleverer than any of them’. 

Jaime – who says the Queen nicknamed him her ‘yogi pal’ – claims he still had a romantic relationship with Letizia even after the wedding in 2004. He also claims he has kept ‘photographs, videos, mobile phones’ and text messages as evidence.

The businessman claimed that ‘love was always there’ in their relationship since, he claimed, they travelled to Venice together. The photograph Jaime shared on Twitter was taken during one of Letizia’s pregnancies between 2005-2007.

In the book, Jaime sensationally claims that Letizia whispered that she loved him when they were lying in a hammock by a pool at her home following Princess Leonor’s birth.

Jaime Penafiel goes on to write that Jaime del Burgo subsequently wrote a play called ‘La Hamaca, which in English is ‘The Hammock’, and edited it but never distributed it. 

Following this, Jaime alleges they ‘took steps forward with the goal of being free’ – which involved seeking legal advice and looking at properties in the US. 

A spokesperson for the Spanish Royal Family previously told FEMAIL: ‘We have no comment to make about this.’

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