The five things you didn't know about Queen Letizia on her 53rd birthday

On September 15, Queen Letizia (Oviedo, 1972) will turn 53 years old. Since she became Princess of Asturias, the monarch's life has been public knowledge. However, from Elcierredigital.com, we reveal five unknown aspects of Felipe VI's wife's story.

Queen Letizia's 'royal' past

It has always been said that Letizia Ortiz is the first queen consort of Spain without royal blood in her veins. A journalist by profession, a member of a middle-class family, it seemed that there was no connection to royalty in her biography. However, in 2009, retired lieutenant colonel Javier Cordero surprised everyone with a genealogical investigation that called that statement into question.

Cordero conducted a genealogical study in which he traced the family origins of the then Princess of Asturias through her paternal grandfather's branch, José Luis Ortiz.

The lieutenant colonel claimed to have found a connection with Fernando II, King of León between 1157 and 1188. This medieval monarch, considered a key ruler in the consolidation of the Kingdom of León, would be a distant ancestor of the current queen.

The accident that almost "cost her her life"

A few days before her engagement to the Prince of Asturias was released, the TVE presenter was involved in a traffic accident that "almost cost her her life".

It was her co-host, journalist Alfredo Urdaci, who revealedthe incident involving the journalist in an interview he gave to the newspaper "El Mundo".

We have to go back to 2003. As she did every day, the journalist was heading to the public broadcaster's studios from her home located in the Valdebernardo neighborhood.

However, when she entered the tunnel that connects the M-30 with O'Donnell Street, she was driving at high speed under heavy rain. It was then that her car hydroplaned, she lost control, and ended up in a multi-car collision.

After the accident, several emergency services arrived at the scene. It was then that they told the journalist:  "You're miraculously alive, you could have been killed".

However, Letizia Ortiz was physically unharmed. It was then that Prince Felipe, upon learning of the accident, took action.

Juan Carlos I's son arranged for several Civil Guard officers to take Queen Letizia to the RTVE studios. In the aforementioned interview, Urdaci confessed that "when she arrived, Letizia was visibly nervous".

The day Letizia took refuge with an indigenous tribe

The relationship that the TVE journalist had with Prince Felipe put her in the media spotlight. It also raised certain doubts for her about continuing that story that was going to change her life forever.

Faced with this situation, Letizia Ortiz traveled to Costa Rica. There, the journalist stayed in Térraba, a town where the tribe of indigenous people known as the Borucas live together.

That trip was pivotal for the Asturian. She learned their customs and traditions.

She also formed close bonds with some of their members. One of them was Paulino Nájera.

"One day Letizia was sad and I thought she was sick, but she shook her head no.  She was in love, although she thought her love was difficult", Nájera confessed.

Paulino was one of the people who helped her clear up her doubts about her story with the heir to the Spanish throne.

Nájera told her that in his community, it is customary to put some seeds in the cradles of newborn babies. These seeds come from trees called "nenes".

Traditionally, these seeds are believed to bring good luck. "I gave her six or seven of these red and black seeds, which we also use to make necklaces and bracelets," said Paulino Nájera.

The presenter returned to Spain. A few weeks later, Paulino Nájera witnessed the announcement of the engagement between Felipe de Borbón and Letizia Ortiz on television.

Fan of "El Comisario"

Queen Letizia's love of cinema is "vox populi". However, the monarch is also a big fan of Spanish TV series.

One of them was "El Comisario", one of the most successful series in Telecinco's history. This show starred actors such as Tito Valverde, Juanjo Artero, and Marcial Álvarez.

According to Elcierredigital.com, "Princess Letizia and Prince Felipe used to watch episodes of the series. They liked it a lot".

The Duke of Edinburgh, her great advisor

Joining a royal family is not easy, and Queen Letizia experienced it from the very beginning. Adapting to protocol, the weight of tradition, and media pressure were difficult challenges to face.

On this complex path, the monarch found support in another 'royal' figure. We're talking about Philip of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.

The British monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh felt great affection for the kings of Spain. Meanwhile, Charles III's father had a very special connection with the monarch.

According to the website Vanitatis, the Duke of Edinburgh was a great advisor to Queen Letizia. In fact, they used to keep conversations in which the Duke shared with Letizia advice based on his own experience to help her.

On March 29, 2022, Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were present at the funeral mass of the man known as "Uncle Philip". The monarch wore a green suit, the official color of the Duke of Edinburgh, one of her greatest advisors.