In what may have been Spanish society's most highly-anticipated moment in recent memory, Crown Prince Felipe and his fiancée, TV newscaster Letizia Ortiz, appeared together at their official engagement presentation in the scenic grounds of El Pardo palace on Wednesday.
Letizia, dressed in a white trousersuit and black pumps, held her future husband's hand throughout most of the occasion, releasing it only to show her white gold and diamond engagement ring. Felipe, meanwhile, revealed his gift from the bride, sapphire cufflinks.
More than 300 reporters and photographers from around the world were present for the occasion, which began with a stroll through the palace gardens under the sunny Madrid sky. Afterwards, the couple, who smiled nearly non-stop, had a lighthearted chat with the press, during which the prince did not confirm the date of the wedding, but did say the couple planned to have more than two children and fewer than five.
Felipe spoke of his fiancée's "eloquence, intelligence and courage" while Letizia praised the 35-year-old royal as "an exeptional human being". And when the prince began to interrupt the future queen as she revealed she would gradually be leaving her job at TV station TVE, Letizia did not hesitate to tell him, "Let me finish", with an affectionate laugh.
At the close of the presention, the royal family and the soon-to-be crown princess were joined by Letizia's relatives, including her parents, Paloma Rocasolano and Jesus Ortiz, sisters Telma and Erica, and her brother-in-law, Erica's husband, Antonio Vigo. Also on hand to support the young journalist were her cousin David Rocasolano and his wife, Patricia Reina.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
