Felipe VI, his sisters and most of his grandchildren are already in Palma de Mallorca or will arrive this weekend to accompany Queen Sofia, who is facing her first summer without her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, who passed away in January.
Queen Sofia is spending what is likely the most difficult summer of her life at the Palace of Marivent. Following the death of her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, on January 15, and her close friend Tatiana Radziwill a month earlier, the mother of King Felipe VI has found her family to be her main support during this summer season in Mallorca.
According to this newspaper's sources, the royal household has confirmed that most family members have organised to spend a few days with the emeritus queen at the official residence of the kings in Palma. The first to arrive were her grandchildren Irene Urdangarín, Froilán and Victoria Federica, the latter accompanied by her boyfriend, Jorge Navalpotro. Infanta Elena is also already on the island, having landed this Wednesday from Geneva, where she visited King Juan Carlos.
King Felipe VI is expected to arrive in Palma this Friday, where he has several meetings scheduled at the Royal Palace of Almudaina. His presence will allow him to reunite with his mother, sisters and nephews in a gathering that is expected to be particularly emotional due to the recent losses suffered by Doña Sofia.
Infanta Cristina will join the family plan over the weekend, accompanied by her children Juan, Pablo and Miguel, as well as their respective partners: Sophia Khan, Johanna Zott and Olympia Beracasa. Additionally, some of Queen Sofia's Greek nephews are expected to arrive, with whom she maintains a very close relationship and who want to be by her side during her first summer without Irene.
Those who will not be present at this family gathering are Queen Letizia and her daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia. According to sources from the royal household, they do not plan to arrive at Marivent until the end of July, when they will begin their traditional summer holidays in Palma. The heir to the throne will start her university studies in Political Science at Carlos III University of Madrid in September, while her younger sister will face her second year of the degree in Political Science and International Relations at the Paris campus of Forward College.
The Palace of Marivent, the official summer residence of the royal family, has become the epicentre of family support for Queen Sofia these days. The presence of all family members aims to alleviate the loneliness of the emeritus queen, who for years shared her stays in Mallorca with her sister Irene and Tatiana Radziwill, both of whom have passed away in recent months.
King Felipe VI's official agenda in Palma includes meetings at the Palace of Almudaina, but also time to spend with his mother and the rest of the family. The monarch is expected to participate in some of the meals and family gatherings being organised in Marivent, as long as his institutional commitments allow.
For the residents of Palma and the tourists strolling along the promenade these days, the presence of the royal family at Marivent is a classic of the Mallorcan summer. However, this year the stay has a more intimate and familial tone, marked by Doña Sofia's mourning. Security around the palace has been reinforced, although without disrupting the area's routine.
Queen Sofia, 87, has found strength in the love of her family to face this significant summer. Princess Irene of Greece, who passed away at 82, was her inseparable companion for decades, and her absence is particularly felt during the long summer days they used to share in Marivent. The royal family, aware of this, has wanted to show that the emeritus queen is not alone.
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