The Infanta Sofia, born on April 29 under the sign of Taurus, has grown up in the heart of the Spanish royal family alongside her older sister, Princess Leonor.
Although she is the second daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia, since her birth she has been raised with a clear focus: not to feel overshadowed by her sister, even though Leonor is destined to reign.
Queen Letizia has played a key role in ensuring that Sofia has her own space, but being the “Spare” has marked important aspects of her life.
How the Spare Syndrome Affects Infanta Sofia
According to psychologist Alejandra Muñoz, Sofia could experience what is commonly known as the “spare syndrome”. This phenomenon affects many younger siblings, who often feel that they occupy a more flexible place within the family, in contrast to the responsibility that usually falls on the first-born.
“Second children tend to step out of the established, seeking their own identity and differentiating themselves from their older sibling,” the expert explained to the Spanish portal Lecturas.
In a royal family like Sofia’s, comparisons between siblings are inevitable, and constant public exposure only increases this pressure.
“It’s natural for people to compare siblings, even if they don’t do it with bad intentions,” comments Muñoz.
However, these parallels can influence how Sofia perceives herself and how she builds her self-esteem.
“By always seeing herself in her sister’s shadow, she may feel that she must fulfill a secondary role, which impacts her self-concept,” adds the psychologist.
Despite these potential difficulties, Queen Letizia’s role has been crucial in fostering a supportive relationship between the sisters rather than a rivalry.
“The queen has created a bridge between Leonor and Sofia,” says Muñoz.
Although Sofia is not destined to reign, she has her own schedule of commitments as infanta, which gives her a degree of responsibility, but also more freedom to choose her own path.
“Parents tend to be more flexible with second children, which allows Sofia to grow up with less pressure than her older sister,” assures the expert.
The life of the Infanta Sofia develops in a delicate balance: on the one hand, she lives with the awareness that her sister will be queen, but on the other hand, she has more room to define her future. And although Leonor has paved the way for her younger sister in many respects, the bond between the two seems unbreakable.
From shared laughter to public gestures of affection, the bond between Sofia and Leonor is a testament to the successful upbringing they have received from their parents.