Sometimes, genetics surprises us. Today, we’re going to talk about the resemblance between Infanta Sofía and her great-aunt Irene of Greece.
I’m not talking about a vague resemblance; when you compare photos of Irene from the 1940s with current images of Felipe and Letizia’s youngest daughter, the effect is almost like something out of a movie.
A round face, big eyes, a turned-up nose, and full lips. The House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg prevailed without question. Neither Bourbon nor Ortiz. Pure Greek blood.
The resemblance between Sofía and Irene of Greece
What I find most interesting isn’t their physical appearance, but the role they both play in their respective families. They are both the youngest. Both grew up in the shadow of an older sister who receives all the attention.
For decades, Irene lived as “Queen Sofia’s shadow sister,” but that never stopped her from being herself. She was a pianist, took an interest in archaeology, lived in India, founded an NGO, literally saved a hundred cows, and earned the nickname “Aunt Pecu” because of her unique personality.
She never married, and she never faded into the background. She managed to strike that incredibly rare balance between the discretion her position required and living exactly as she wanted.
Infanta Sofía is about to turn 19, and she is already showing signs that she won’t be easily overshadowed.
In every public appearance, she exudes a naturalness that doesn’t seem rehearsed.
While Leonor has to carry the weight of protocol because she will be the next queen, Sofía has always had more freedom to be spontaneous.
Irene passed away this year, and the image of Sofía with her head bowed at the funeral in Athens spoke volumes. Irene of Greece showed that staying in the background doesn’t have to mean disappearing.
If Infanta Sofía ever needs a compass, she won’t have to look far. It’s in the mirror, and in the story of the woman she already resembles so much, without even knowing it.