The Royal Household relies on the Navarrese government to organize a key trip for Leonor

The fact that the Government of Navarra hasn't invited the Borbón family to the Príncipe de Viana Awards for ten years (the last six due to the demands of a socialist partner, Geroa Bai) doesn't prevent a strong rapport from existing between Zarzuela and the executive led by María Chivite, which is trying to regain strength after the outbreak of the "Koldo case" and is providing "every possible facility" for Leonor's first official trip to a region with a republican social majority. Sources close to the regional executive explain that the princess is expected to show some gestures of closeness toward the people of Navarra.

Casa Real already had the support of the now weakened Navarrese socialism to prepare Letizia Ortiz's trips to the cinematic Ópera Prima Awards in Tudela. Now they trust the party led by Chivite again to organize a three-day trip in which the head of state, his wife, and the heir to the throne will visit Pamplona, Tudela, Viana, and Leyre.

The symbolic visit will serve to highlight the historical and cultural ties that unite the heir to the throne with the regional community. The princess holds the title of Princess of Viana. This distinction was created more than 600 years ago by Charles III the Noble for the heirs of the Kingdom of Navarra.

The importance of this trip goes beyond a simple ceremonial act. It is an opportunity for Casa Real to strengthen its relations with Navarra in a complicated political and cultural context. For years, the region has been a delicate area for the monarchy, largely due to the republican currents that form a social majority. For this reason, the visit seeks to reestablish the institutional bond and present the monarchy as a reference even in territories without much dynastic fervor.

Ten years without Felipe and Letizia in Viana

Navarra has been, in recent years, a place where the presence of Casa Real has been questioned. Especially after the Government of Uxue Barkos decided in 2015 to exclude the kings from the presentation of the Príncipe de Viana Award for Culture. This decision, driven by the partners of the four-party coalition, aimed to reinvent the award and highlight the recipient rather than the person presenting it. In fact, the exclusion of Casa Real was kept even after the socialist government of María Chivite came to power in 2019.

Therefore, Leonor's visit, although protocolary, has an important political dimension. The presence of the heir and her parents seeks to reestablish the institutional relationship. In places like the Monastery of Leyre, with its royal pantheon, or Viana, birthplace of the title Princess of Viana, Casa Real intends to strengthen these ties.

Letizia's image renewal: communication strategy in times of crisis

While Leonor's visit to Navarra is being prepared, Casa Real is also carrying out a series of internal changes to better manage its public image. One of the most significant moves was the replacement in the Secretariat of Queen Letizia. Marta Carazo, a journalist from RTVE, replaced María Ocaña, who had accompanied the Queen since her early years as Princess of Asturias. This change is not only administrative, but also a response to the growing media pressure on Letizia's public figure.

The wife of the head of state has faced several challenges in recent years that have called her popularity into question. One of the most publicized incidents was the clash with Queen Sofía during the 2018 Easter Mass, when a cold gesture in front of the cameras caused headlines and speculation. To this were added leaks about her alleged romantic relationship with Jaime del Burgo, who also visited Navarra a few days ago.

These scandals have affected her public image and have tested the monarchy's ability to manage its media projection. To address these problems, Letizia seems to be taking more direct control over her image. The arrival of Carazo and Rosa Lerchundi, the new director of communications for Casa del Rey replacing Jordi Gutiérrez, marks a shift in the Queen's communication strategy. Both women come from the world of journalism and, therefore, know the mechanisms of the media very well.

A more professional approach for the monarchy

The replacement of Ocaña and the incorporation of new profiles closer to the journalistic field respond to a broader change within Casa Real. Letizia, known for her desire to control her image, has had to adapt to a media context that has become increasingly critical of the monarchy. Ortiz wants to show a more accessible and approachable side, participating in cultural events. Nevertheless, the immobility when it comes to granting interviews or "going off script" remains unchanged. This isolation contributes to the ongoing social criticism, especially among young people, who seem increasingly indifferent to the monarchy.

Despite Letizia's efforts to soften her image, the context remains difficult. The Spanish monarchy is going through a delicate moment. The exile of the emeritus king Juan Carlos I in Abu Dhabi and the loss of credibility of the institution have marked a new stage for Casa Real. In addition, the internal tensions between the more traditional and more modern sectors within the monarchy remain a concern.

It should be remembered that, according to several surveys, the republic would be the preferred form of state for citizens over the monarchy. The scandals of the emeritus contribute to this unpopularity. So do controversial decisions such as those of PP and PSOE, which avoided opening the debate on the controversial inviolability of the monarch.

Nevertheless, according to republican voices, "the almost unanimous and uncritical support of the Spanish press for the monarchy gives oxygen to the head of state and his family."

Restoring ties with Navarra: a long-term task

Leonor's trip to Navarra will be an important step to strengthen the monarchy's historical ties with this community, but Casa Real's challenge goes beyond symbols. The institution needs to regain the trust of citizens and overcome the internal divisions that continue to shape its functioning.

Although the visit to Navarra has a clear symbolic component, Casa Real's real challenge will be to show that they know how to evolve and reconnect with citizens at a time when the monarchy lacks support by age (young people are mostly republicans), territories (Euskadi, Catalonia, or Navarra are "republican zones"), and ideology (a large part of the left, nationalism, and separatism movements are very far from Felipe VI, especially since his controversial intervention after October 1, 2017).

Zarzuela wants to take measures to regain the affection of citizens, and the trip to Navarra is part of this strategy.