In recent days, the Instagram account of the Spanish Navy has experienced an unexpected growth, with a 200% increase in interaction and new followers.
This phenomenon has occurred after the dissemination of images of Princess Leonor in a shopping mall in Punta Arenas, Chile, a leak that has sparked a strong controversy and the immediate reaction of the Royal House.
The images of the princess, captured by the establishment’s security cameras and subsequently released to the media, have gone around the world.
For La Zarzuela, this diffusion represents an invasion of the heiress’ privacy and an action completely outside the law.
The Spanish Navy’s Instagram Sees a Surge
Parallel to the controversy, the account of the Spanish Navy on Instagram has experienced an unusual growth. Currently, it has nearly 169,000 followers and the publications that include Leonor or her fellow midshipmen have been the most viewed and commented.
Recently, the Navy published some images where the midshipmen can be seen applying the knowledge acquired in navigation and meteorology during the voyage.
In one of them, the daughter of King Felipe VI can be seen checking the situation on the chart and calculating the necessary course to the Strait of Magellan.
The Naval School of Marin recognizes the media impact:
“It is true that publishing images of the princess in different activities on the training ship generates a lot of curiosity and feedback in social media,” internal sources reveal to Monarquia Confidencial.
This surge in popularity has been received with some satisfaction within the institution, as it allows bringing the work of the Navy closer to the citizens.
“Seeing the support and closeness of users also pleases,” say sources within the organization.
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Queen Letizia’s concern
Beyond the effect on social media, the leak has set off alarm bells in La Zarzuela.
From the House of the King they fear that this situation will lead to an invasive media coverage in the private life of the princess.
The commotion has not been limited to Spain. The dissemination of the images has had repercussions in the international media, some of which have begun to speculate about the meaning of Leonor’s presence in the Navy.
In fact, some journalists have already considered traveling to Peru to capture images of her disembarkation, something that, according to what has been reported, has not been well received by Queen Letizia.
“It is unnecessary sensationalism,” say sources consulted.
The case has rekindled the debate about the line between privacy and public projection of the heiress.
While her presence in the Navy has awakened a renewed interest in the institution, the concern about the uncontrolled exposure is still latent in the Royal House.