She is King Felipe's goddaughter and was one of the bridesmaids at his wedding to Queen Letizia so there was no surprise in seeing Spain's monarch at the wedding of one of the best known faces in Spain's high society. However, the appearance of Felipe next to his disgraced sister, Infanta Cristina, in the official photos marking the marriage of Victoria Lopez-Quesada has certainly added a new mystery to the always intriguing exploits of the Spanish royal family.
Felipe VI took pride of place in the official portraits of the bride and her new husband, Enrique Moreno de la Cova. The couple tied the knot in Algete on August 31st 2024 with anyone who is anyone in Spain in attendance. But alongside the king in one of the images is Cristina. Also in the official portrait was their other sister, Infanta Elena, and their mother, Queen Sofia. But that was by the by. It was the appearance of Cristina with her brother that made all the headlines. Stories about her back in the royal fold outstripped those just reporting on the wedding.
Cristina has been in disgrace since before Felipe became king. She was tried as part of the Noos case, and acquitted, but her husband (now ex) Inaki Urdangarin was convicted and sent to prison. She gave up her title of Duchess of Palma in a sordid public row which involved her denying it had been taken from her in angry words and it's long been supposed that the distance between brother and sister isn't just emotional.
Now, everything has changed. Not only was Cristina in the official photo (and it would have been very easy to leave her out even if it meant pushing poor old Elena, the eternal collateral damage, into a corner, too) but she arrived by car with Felipe. While the King of Spain drove, she sat alongside him. Queen Letizia, who was rumoured to have fallen out with Cristina long before Noos was talked about, was in Paris for the Paralympics. This was the hardcore of the old royal family, back together again.
Once upon a time, Cristina was a royal star. She has all the easy charm of her Borbon father and was hugely popular until financial scandal sent her into hiding. She's no longer a member of the official royal family, rather part of the king's family, one of those strange distinctions that only royals really have. She hasn't carried out engagements for years but she appears, now, to be back in the fold. Could these photos be the beginning of something else? King Felipe and Queen Letizia do the lion's share of duties with Queen Sofia in back up and Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia making occasional, albeit starring, appearances. However, Queen Sofia will be 86 in November and has an ill sister to look after. Cristina's rehabilitation would, at least, allow Elena to do a few more appearances for the royals. Time will tell. But this is one wedding photo that could have repercussions for years to come.
All photos from Casa Real.
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