The Spanish Royal Family put on an animated display as they jumped for joy after their country got through to the World Cup final following last night’s tense match-up against France.
King Felipe VI, 58, hugged his wife Letizia and daughters Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19, as the nation basked in a 2-0 victory against one of the tournament’s toughest contenders on Tuesday.
They congratulated the team on Instagram, writing: ‘You have proved again why you are one of the great teams in the world.
‘Now, with a whole country on your side, it’s time to fight for the title. Thank you for letting us enjoy this road. Go for it!’
The family was decked out in personalised Spanish shirts as they were filmed watching the game on a wide-screen TV, seated on a small white sofa.
Their celebrations were a quiet affair compared to last night’s festivities in the country, with fans flooding Madrid’s streets to celebrate the World Cup final spot.
The Spanish Royal Family jumped up and down and clapped in celebration as their country got through to the World Cup final in last night’s terse match-up against France
King Felipe VI, 58, hugged his wife Letizia and daughters Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19, as the nation basked in a 2-0 victory
Felipe’s enthusiastic display of support comes just hours after members of the Spanish Royal Family divided football fans as they were seen wearing ‘French colours’ ahead of the clash with France at the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona.
The annual ceremony, which seeks to celebrate the lives of talented young people across Spain, saw the Royal Family meet with those committed to public service and youth leadership.
However, several eagle-eyed onlookers couldn’t help but notice the colour scheme of the royal women’s outfits – as all three stepped out in outfits that appeared to directly match with the red, white and blue of the French flag.
While Queen Letizia opted for a dark blue suit, Princess Leonor looked stylish in a bold red look. Meanwhile, Infanta Sofia, who recently completed three years of military studies, stepped out in an elegant wraparound white suit.
Taking to X in response to their outfits, one royal fan wrote: ‘Letizia, Leonor and Sofia dressed in the colours of the French flag. I don’t know if that was the best choice today.’
The family was decked out in personalised shirts as they were filmed watching the game on a wide-screen TV, seated on a small white sofa
The Spanish family’s celebrations were a quiet affair compared to last night’s festivities in the country, as fans flooded Madrid’s streets to celebrate the World Cup final spot
Meanwhile, another added: ‘I think it’s been a bad coincidence. There’s no subliminal message. But for these things they have entire teams (among them, a stylist). It’s a blunder.’
‘Oops! Someone in the Spanish royal house didn’t remind them about the World Cup?? French flag colours for the Spanish royal women,’ quipped another.
However, several came to the Spanish royals’ defence and suggested that the lighting of the photograph may have made their outfits look more distinct than they necessarily were, while others noted that the match was ‘still several hours away’.
‘It’s because today is the anniversary of the French Revolution and the Bourbons are of French origin,’ suggested another.
During the game, Spain’s star player Lamine Yamal wore a headband with the number 08304.
It’s the postcode for the working-class suburb of the Catalonian district which he calls home.
He was standing there with his teammates hearing the anthems played, looking for all the world as if he had just wandered in from that neighbourhood.
But he set his nation on their way to the World Cup final on Tuesday night, winning the penalty to secure a lead from which they never looked back.
Spain dominated the midfield and choked off the supply line to France’s stellar forward line, which struggled to find a way past the Spanish defence.
It was a complete performance, and sent a strong message to England and Argentina that whoever reaches the final will have their work cut out.