When Spain's Princess Letizia is crowned queen Thursday, she will surrender a tiny corner of privacy that has allowed her to sneak out with friends to cafes, plays and a string of indie rock concerts.
The elegant 41-year-old royal's secretive mingling with the public, often with a few girlfriends and in non-regal attire, has provided rich fodder to the Spanish gossip media.
The blonde-haired former television news presenter was snapped in jeans and black leather jacket in April last year outside a Madrid concert by US alternative rock group Eels.
A few months earlier, she joined spectators at a concert by 1990s Spanish indie group Los Planetas.
And she is apparently a big fan of Las Vegas band The Killers, seeing them in Madrid in September 2012 and again at the huge FIB rock festival in the eastern beachside town of Benicassim in July last year.
Following King Juan Carlos' abdication announcement on June 2, however, the life of the taxi-driver's granddaughter is set to be transformed.
Letizia's outings really began to make headlines last year in gossip media, which alluded to rumoured problems in her relationship with Prince Felipe, said royal watcher Jose Apezarena.
'Something was not right'
"The royal household let the princess know that her repeated outings gave the impression that something was not right," said Apezarena, author of "Felipe and Letizia. The conquest of the throne", published this year.
Born on September 15, 1972 into a middle-class family, Letizia Ortiz was already in her 30s when she met Felipe, who she married in 2004. A divorcee, she had already forged a career in television news and had her own tastes.
She took on her new role "like a real job and applied her previous work methods", Apezarena said.
Letizia is described by her circle as having been "responsible" and a "perfectionist" since her youth, he said.
As the spouse of the heir to the throne, she took part in weekly meetings of the royal household.
Not coming from royalty and still in touch with old friends, she brought a fresh point of view "a different sensibility to that of the king's household", Apezarena said.
Letizia has learned a lot since she married the future King Felipe VI a decade ago, and she knows being queen will entail new responsibilities, said Cote Villar, journalist at the conservative Spanish daily El Mundo.
"She has many interests. She is a women of her time, who has studied a lot and is cultured," said Villar.
"Since the king told them in January that he was going to abdicate, she has not had any more outings like that; it is the best proof that she is perfectly aware of what it means to be queen," she said.
Cool and distant
In her private life, Letizia now takes Felipe into her "terrain", said Villar. "He now goes to see films and plays he would never have seen," she said.
Despite the touch of modernity Letizia lends to the palace, she still often appears tense in public, fearing she will make a gaffe and "too worried about what people will say about her", the journalist said.
Seen as cool and distant by some, she is the least popular of the tight circle of the royal family.
A poll published June 9, a week after Juan Carlos announced his abdication, showed a slight improvement, however, with just over 54 percent of respondents seeing Letizia in a favourable light.
Since the king's abdication announcement, the Spanish media have become "much friendlier", said Villar.
Her accession to the throne could improve her image yet further, said Apezarena.
Letizia has avoided major gaffes and her readiness to listen has earned her the respect of many with whom she is in contact, despite a sometimes "excessively critical" Spanish media, the author said.
"Being princess is not the same as being queen. They are going to see her in a new light and certainly with a bit more understanding because when you're a candidate you're under scrutiny," he said.
After Letizia's husband is sworn in as King Felipe VI on Thursday, the couple will be driven through Madrid. Instead of jeans, Letizia will don a dress for the royal occasion that remains a closely guarded secret.
AFP
Mon Jun 16 2014
Spain's Princess Letizia attends a meeting with members of Prince Asturias awards foundation at the Royal Palace in Madrid on June 10, 2014. - AP Photo/Juan Medina/Pool
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.