How Allegations Of Infidelity Have Rocked The Spanish Royal Family

A new explosive book claims that King Felipe of Spain was "crushed and destroyed" by his wife's infidelity. The Spanish Royal Family was shocked by Jaime Peñafiel's accusations. In his latest book, Letizia's Silences, published on Wednesday, the 91-year-old journalist alleged that the King was aware that Queen Letizia was cheating on him during a trip to New York in 2011.

The book claims Queen of Spain cheated on King Felipe

According to Peñafiel, the King was aware that his wife was "cheating on him in real time" as his bodyguards were supposed to tell him about the Queen's location. The storyline revolves around a claimed trip to New York in 2011, during which Queen Letizia was accompanied by Jaime del Burgo, with whom she allegedly had a romantic history. Before her marriage to King Felipe in 2004, Letizia's previous relationships, especially her former marriage and rumoured involvement with Jaime del Burgo, were closely scrutinised. Peñafiel's allegations about Letizia and del Burgo's post-marriage relationship question the romanticised picture of royal marriages.

“That day [in New York], she was accompanied by her faithful escorts, who, without a doubt, any, they would pass a report to the Ministry of the Interior or [the Palace of] Zarzuela,” Peñafiel stated in his book, citing Daily Mail. The royal author went on to say that the Spanish monarch has been "plunged into hell" by his wife's alleged "betrayal" and "wants to get out."

Queen Letizia's alleged "lover," the son of former politician Jamie Ignacio del Burgo, was married to her sister Telma from 2012 to 2014. The 54-year-old entrepreneur is currently residing in the United Kingdom. According to the site, del Burgo contributed to Peñafiel's explosive book. He also claimed in the book that "everything in Letizia's world has been broken" because of her "deceit, adultery, and betrayals."

The reporter, who has been following the Spanish royals for decades, also criticised the Queen's personality, describing her as "cold, indestructible, and determined." Peñafiel claimed she often “resorts to silence as a way of controlling and punishing other people"  and that the Royal Family, including Queen Sofia, Infanta Cristina, and the Duchess of Lugo, despise her.

Complex Portrait of Royal Dynamics

In the book, Peñafiel mentions that the King and Queen are no longer living together and are only maintaining official appearances. In an interview with El Cierre Digital, he added: "I don’t think they even live under the same roof... Felipe is a good person, as I have said already. He’s putting on a brave front and Letizia has done him a lot of harm. I don’t think there will be a divorce, but there could be an agreement like the one [Felipe’s parents] Juan Carlos and Sofia established in which each one leads their own life."

Spain's royal court must be praying that Felipe and Letizia do not follow in the footsteps of Juan Carlos and Sofia, who were mired in scandal. The former King abdicated in 2014, for 'personal reasons', and has been in self-imposed exile in Dubai since 2020, presumably due to questionable ties to Saudi Arabian business endeavours. He was also involved in a legal dispute with a former lover, one of many, who accused him of mental torture, espionage, and harassment. Juan Carlos is still married to his wife, Sofia, despite multiple affairs on his part, although the two are claimed to be distant.

Who Is Queen Letizia of Spain? 

Born on September 15, 1972, as Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, she grew up in Oviedo, Northern Spain, with her journalist father and nurse mother. Letizia’s childhood was like that of many others—simple and filled with dreams. She studied journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid, working hard to pursue her passion for storytelling. After earning her degree, Letizia didn’t stop there. She went on to get a master’s degree in audiovisual journalism, sharpening her skills even more. Her dedication landed her jobs at Bloomberg and CNN, where she covered big stories like 9/11 and the Iraq War.

In 2002, Letizia met Prince Felipe of Asturias at a dinner party. They fell in love and got married in 2004, making headlines worldwide. Letizia's background as a ‘commoner’ and a former journalist added a modern twist to their royal love story. Becoming a queen meant Letizia had to leave her journalism career behind. But she embraced her new role with grace, becoming Queen of Spain in 2014 when King Juan Carlos stepped down. Alongside her husband, she has worked tirelessly, earning praise for her commitment to public service by championing the rights of the LGBT community.