The Eurocup final was not only a major sporting event, but also a showcase for the royals in attendance.
Infanta Sofia, the youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Spain, grabbed many headlines with her presence at the stadium, accompanying her father, King Felipe VI.
Like Prince George, son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Sofia became a prominent figure during the match between Spain and England, which culminated in a victory for the Spanish national team.
Infanta Sofia’s Body Language at the Eurocup Final
One of the most commented moments was when the Infanta Sofia shared laughs with her father in the box.
It also drew attention to the fact that, despite the King’s insistence, Sofia did not want to hold the Cup of the championship.
To better understand these gestures, the Spanish portal Vanitatis consulted Cristian Salomoni, director of the International Institute of Behavior Analysis and expert in non-verbal communication, who analyzed the images.
“It is an excellent communicative decision that the King was accompanied by his daughter. The images show a great complicity between them, evident in the smiles they shared during the match. They went to enjoy the event, although there were also those nerves characteristic of a match as important as the final of the European Championship. There is a visible connection between them. Sofia, in a moment of joy, laughed out loud, but, aware of the place, tried to contain herself by covering her face with her hands,” explained Salomoni.
The Words of Sofia and their Meaning
In her statements to RTVE, the Infanta Sofia showed a very prepared and professional attitude, something Salomoni highlighted.
“She did very well. Her answer was well rehearsed and showed that she likes soccer and understands the sport. As she spoke, the King watched her with pride. Felipe VI is the father of two daughters with very different roles within the Royal House. Leonor is the heiress and future queen, while Sofia will not have the same responsibilities as her older sister,” he commented.
🔴EUROCOPA 2024.
Entrevista del Rey y la Infanta Sofía al descanso del primer tiempo.
Una vez acabado el partido, el Rey y la Infanta Sofía se han unido a la celebración de España.
Reyes de Europa 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/qxIWwfohnc
— REINA_LETIZIA2020 (@RLetizia2020) July 14, 2024
This detail is crucial, according to Salomoni, to understand why Sofia did not want to hold the Cup.
“She didn’t want to be the center of attention. She wanted to support the national team from the background, not to be the protagonist. She is a discreet girl who prefers to leave all the limelight to her father and the players,” he added.
Comparisons and contrasts
Salomoni also recalled that, during the women’s World Cup final in Sydney, when Spain won gold, Sofia did hold the cup and was much more casual.
“On that occasion, her mother, Queen Letizia, was also present and very animated, which made Sofia feel more comfortable. The players even chanted ‘may the Queen bounce’. But this time, her attitude was more formal and in keeping with the event,” she concluded.