Members of the Spanish Royal Family have inadvertently become a topic of discussion among football fans due to their attire at a public event held hours before Spain's World Cup semi-final match against France. King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofia attended the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona on Tuesday, an event celebrating young leaders. The royal women's choice of outfits—Queen Letizia in dark blue, Princess Leonor in red, and Infanta Sofia in white—drew immediate attention on social media, with many observers noting the colors mirrored those of the French flag.
Online commentary ranged from amusement to criticism, with some users suggesting a lack of awareness regarding the timing of the match. "I think it's been a bad coincidence. There's no subliminal message. But for these things they have entire teams (among them, a stylist). It's a blunder," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another commented, "Oops! Someone in the Spanish royal house didn't remind them about the World Cup?? French flag colours for the Spanish royal women!"
Others defended the royal family, proposing that the lighting in photographs might have exaggerated the color similarities or that the match was still several hours away when the photos were taken. One suggestion posited that the colors might be a nod to the anniversary of the French Revolution or the Bourbon family's French origins.
Controversy Surrounding National Team Comments
The discussion around the royal family's attire occurred against the backdrop of a separate controversy involving comments made by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy reportedly implied that some players on the French national team were not truly French due to their skin color. This statement drew condemnation from various quarters, including the French Embassy in Spain, which issued a factual rebuttal noting that all 26 players on the French squad are French citizens, with 23 born in France. Spanish national team players Pau Cubarsi and Borja Iglesias also addressed the remarks, emphasizing tolerance and vigilance against such comments.
Princess Leonor's Military Training
The event also highlighted Princess Leonor's ongoing military training. The heir to the Spanish throne recently completed intensive Air Force training, receiving the title of Adoptive Daughter of San Javier and the Gold Medal of the Town. This included graduating from the Basic Parachuting Course and piloting an F5 fighter jet under supervision. Princess Leonor is undertaking three years of military training to prepare for her future role as Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Following her military service, she is scheduled to begin a four-year university degree in Political Science at the Carlos III University of Madrid later this year, focusing on subjects relevant to her future reign.