The dissemination of images of Princess Leonor enjoying a day at the beach in Uruguay has crossed borders.
What began as a simple moment of rest in the middle of her military training aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano has become a topic of conversation in the European media, where the excessive interest aroused by these photographs has been questioned.
Reactions from the foreign press
Media such as the French magazine Point de Vue have approached the controversy from a critical perspective. With a provocative title, “Princess Leonor of Spain in a bikini… so what?”
The publication points out that it is surprising the stir caused by images that, under other circumstances, would have gone unnoticed.
“More than three weeks later, the photos appeared on the cover of the Spanish magazine Diez Minutos, arousing a curiosity that today is questionable,” they point out in their article.
From their analysis, they pose a comparison with other royals who have been photographed in swimsuits without generating the same controversy.
“The kitesurfing sessions of Prince Kiril of Bulgaria or the days on the yacht of Charles Philip of Sweden do not cause a sensation, despite the obvious advantage of his physique,” they reflect.
They also recall the case of Stephanie of Monaco, who broke with stereotypes by appearing in a bikini in the Ouragan video clip and designing her own swimwear line.
The approach of the German press
For its part, the German magazine Bunte has focused its analysis on the impact of this media exposure on the Princess of Spain.
Under the headline “Photographed in a bikini: Magazine puts Leonor on the cover without her wanting it”, the German media emphasizes the pressure faced by the heiress to the throne.
“The crown weighs heavily, something Leonor of Spain is experiencing these days with pain,” they highlight.
According to Bunte, the princess’s privacy has been violated again, and this time even more obviously.
“Diez Minutos magazine has published paparazzi photos showing Leonor in a bikini on the beach in Uruguay. The images must have been taken during shore leave, as Leonor is currently completing her military training on the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano,” they explain.
The article also poses a reflection on the constant exposure that royal figures suffer, especially in the digital age.
“The princess is watched every step of the way – how pleasant can the life of a 19-year-old be when every gesture is publicly documented and discussed?” they ask.
The German media highlights that being the heiress comes with privileges that are paid for by living under permanent surveillance that leaves hardly any room for privacy.