The images of Princess Leonor in bikini have finally seen the light.
The Spanish magazine Diez Minutos surprised this April 2 by publishing the first photographs of the heiress to the throne enjoying a day at the beach, during a break in Montevideo, in the middle of the crossing of the training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano.
The dissemination of these images has not been without controversy, not only because of its content, but also because of the long negotiation process behind their sale.
Photo of Princess Leonor in bikini: A work of patience and secrecy
The material was captured last March 6 by a Spanish paparazzo, who knew he had in his hands an exclusive of great value.
However, marketing it was no easy task. For three weeks, the photographer held negotiations with different media, looking for the highest bidder for photos that, in addition to generating media interest, could have consequences for the Royal House.
This episode comes just a few days after the institution denounced the dissemination of images of Leonor in a shopping mall in Punta Arenas, Chile, through security cameras without her consent.
Now, with this new leak, an official response on the publication is expected.
A day of rest in Montevideo
The images show the princess enjoying the sun and the sea in the company of her fellow midshipmen, a moment of disconnection after days of training at sea.
On the cover of the magazine, she is seen emerging from the water wearing a simple bikini and sunglasses, undoubtedly, a facet never seen before of the young heiress.
Montevideo was one of the expedition’s stops, after departing from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
During their stay in Uruguay, the midshipmen combined their official agenda with moments of recreation.
While some stayed in local hotels, others took advantage of the day to enjoy the beach. Leonor, like her companions, had a few hours of rest before returning to the ship.
Publishing the photos: a difficult road
Although the photographer managed to document the moment, selling the images proved to be an unexpected challenge.
As it was an exclusive report, the main Spanish media were the first to receive offers, but negotiations were complicated.
In some cases, the price did not convince those involved; in others, the possible reaction of the Royal Household generated reservations.
There was interest in the images, but prudence dominated the scene. Many media were aware of the existence of the material, although few dared to mention it publicly.
In fact, even at the international level there were attempts to sell the material that did not materialize. The possibility that the publication might cause discomfort in Zarzuela became a decisive factor in the negotiations.
An unpublished image of the future queen
Almost a month after they were taken, the photographs finally saw the light of day, marking a before and after in the media coverage of Princess Leonor.
Despite the expectation and the difficulties in its commercialization, the report managed to reach the newsstands and generate an intense debate about the limits of privacy and public interest around the royal family.
While the heiress continues her journey to Valparaíso, Chile, these images continue to be the talk of the town, consolidating as one of the most commented publications of the year.
The Royal Family, for its part, has not yet issued a statement on the matter.