Queen Letizia of Spain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Letizia Ortiz |
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Queen Letizia in 2020
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| Queen consort of Spain | |
| Tenure | 19 June 2014 – present |
| Born | Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano 15 September 1972 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
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| House | Bourbon-Anjou (by marriage) |
| Father | Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez |
| Mother | María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez |
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Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (born 15 September 1972) is the Queen of Spain because she is married to King Felipe VI. Before becoming a royal, she was a well-known journalist and news anchor.
Letizia was born in Oviedo, Spain. She worked for famous news companies like ABC and EFE. She later became a news anchor for CNN+ and Televisión Española.
In 2004, Letizia married Felipe, who was then the Prince of Asturias and the heir to the Spanish throne. They have two daughters, Leonor and Sofía. When Felipe's father, King Juan Carlos I, stepped down in 2014, Felipe became King, and Letizia became the Queen of Spain.
As queen, Letizia does not have constitutional powers, meaning she cannot make laws. Instead, she represents the Spanish Crown at public events, often with her husband. She focuses on supporting charities and organizations, especially those related to health, education, and culture.
Contents
Family and Early Life
Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was born on 15 September 1972, in Oviedo, Asturias. She is the oldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez, a journalist, and María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, a registered nurse. She has two younger sisters, Telma (born 1973) and Érika (1975–2007). Her sister Érika passed away in 2007.
Letizia's parents divorced in 1999. Her father remarried in 2004.
Her grandmother on her father's side, Menchu Álvarez del Valle, was a famous radio broadcaster in Asturias for over 40 years. Her grandfather on her mother's side, Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho, was a mechanic and taxi driver in Madrid.
Education and Journalism Career
Letizia went to La Gesta School in Oviedo. Her family later moved near Madrid, where she attended the Ramiro de Maeztu High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid. She also received a master's degree in audiovisual journalism.
While studying, Letizia worked for newspapers like La Nueva España and ABC. After finishing her master's degree, she worked in Guadalajara, Mexico, for the newspaper Siglo 21.
When she returned to Spain, she worked for the Spanish version of Bloomberg and then for the news network CNN+. In 2000, she joined TVE, Spain's national public television station. There, she hosted several news shows, including the popular evening news program Telediario 2.
As a journalist, Letizia reported on major world events. She reported from Washington, D.C., during the 2000 U.S. presidential election. In 2001, she broadcast live from Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks in New York. In 2003, she reported from Iraq during the war.
Marriages and Children
First Marriage
Letizia was married before she met Prince Felipe. In 1998, she married Alonso Guerrero Pérez in a civil ceremony. The marriage ended in 1999.
Second Marriage and Royal Life
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On 1 November 2003, the Spanish Royal Household announced Letizia's engagement to Prince Felipe. This was a surprise to many people. After the announcement, she moved into a wing of the Zarzuela Palace.
The wedding took place on 22 May 2004, at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. It was the first royal wedding held in that cathedral. Letizia's wedding dress was designed by Spanish designer Manuel Pertegaz.
Letizia and Felipe have two daughters:
- Leonor, Princess of Asturias, born on 31 October 2005.
- Infanta Sofía of Spain, born on 29 April 2007.
Princess of Asturias
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After her marriage, Letizia became the Princess of Asturias. She began to travel with her husband to represent the Spanish Crown. They made official visits to countries like Mexico, the United States, and Japan.
Letizia also started her own solo agenda, focusing on social issues. She worked with organizations that support children's rights, education, and research on rare diseases. In 2010, she became the honorary president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).
As Princess of Asturias, she and Prince Felipe attended over 1,500 official events together. They also made 73 trips abroad to 38 different countries.
Queen of Spain
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On 19 June 2014, Felipe became King Felipe VI, and Letizia became the Queen of Spain. She is the first Spanish-born queen consort since 1878 and the first to have been born a commoner.
Her first solo event as queen was on 23 June 2014, at the Prado Museum in Madrid. As queen, she has continued to support social causes. She often attends meetings for the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases.
International Work
Queen Letizia travels around the world for her duties. In 2014, she visited Vienna, Austria, for an art exhibition and spoke at a United Nations conference on nutrition in Italy. In her speech, she praised the role of women in fighting hunger.
In June 2015, she was named a Special Ambassador for Nutrition for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). She has also made cooperation visits to countries like Honduras and El Salvador to see the work of Spanish aid programs.
The King and Queen have made many state visits together, including to France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Japan. During these trips, they meet with world leaders to strengthen Spain's relationships with other countries.
Recent Activities
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In recent years, Queen Letizia has continued her work supporting health, education, and culture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she often filled in for the King at events when he had to quarantine.
In August 2023, she and her youngest daughter, Sofía, traveled to Australia to watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. They celebrated with the Spanish team after they won the championship.
In October 2024, Queen Letizia and King Felipe visited areas in Valencia affected by severe floods. They met with residents to offer their support and listen to their concerns. They returned several times, including with their daughters in December 2024 and March 2025, to show their continued support for the recovery efforts.
Titles, Styles, and Honours
- 22 May 2004 – 18 June 2014: Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias.
- 19 June 2014 – present: Her Majesty The Queen.
The day before her wedding, Letizia was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III, a high honor in Spain. She has also received many honors from other countries.
Images for kids
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Queen Letizia during her cooperation visit to Jiquilisco, El Salvador.
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See also
In Spanish: Letizia Ortiz para niños
- Joyas de pasar
