El Paraiso…

Victoria, Masako, Sofia and Letizia!

Victoria

1. Her devotion to Sweden. Cut her open and she would bleed Sweden. I can’t think of another royal in the world as devoted to their country as Vikkan.

2. Her approach to the integration of family and royalty. Taking Estelle and Oscar to small engagements. Letting them learn about the Church of Sweden and the history of the Swedish monarchy in fun ways. It’s such a genius idea and it clearly seems to be paying off as a wonderful approach.

3. Her walking tour. She walked across Sweden throughout the year and met with so many people. She is a people’s queen and that is never more evident than in her work because she chooses to be down, amongst people, celebrating her birthday and her country whenever she can.

Masako

1. Her bravery. She has had to overcome so much, and she has had to overcome it on a world stage. She’s had all the pressures of having a mental health disorder, marrrying and settling into a new family, and having children, with the added pressure of having to produce a male heir.

2. Her love for Princess Aiko. Even when she was struggling, the few times we saw Masako, her love for her baby was evident. The thought of having to raise a child who would always be told they weren’t good enough must be heartbreaking but Masako has gone out of her way to make her daughter feel loved.

3. Her passion for diplomacy. She turned down Naruhito more than once because she didn’t want to give up her career in diplomacy. She had to sacrifice part of her identity because of the rules of the Japanese constituion but she found a way of making her new life - as consort and empress - into a new type of diplomacy she could do.

Sofia (I’m assuming of Sweden)

1. Her openness. She came into the role of princess, having not lived a very princess-friendly lifestyle, and she never hid that fact. She was always open about who she was and who she is and essentially said the Swedes had to like her, or get over it. And they did. She still shows her tattoo under her formal gowns and I love that.

2. Her bond with her in laws. She has forged such a strong connection with all of her in laws. She joined Victoria on her walking tour of Dalarna. She’s been on holiday with Madde and Chris. She’s been hugged by Estelle and Leo. She fits into the Swedish royal family completely and they all adore her.

3. Her work before her marriage. She set up her own charity, which she still works with today. She studied the UN Rights of the Child. She worked to earn her own money, studied the subjects and topics she was passionate about, and started making a change as a normal, non-royal individual.

Letizia

1. Her love for her daughters. She clearly puts Leonor and Sofia and their welfare above all else. The big drama with her mother-in-law was because she was trying to protect her daughter. She chose her children over her reptutation, which was already tenuous as best in Spain.

2. Her fashion. Even when I don’t particularly like it, I love how she champions Spanish designers and wears high street alongside high end. She can walk out in a top from Zara for £10 and a jacket by Felipe Varela

3. Her work in journalism. She is clearly massively intelligent and has worked in all types of journalism. She was a journalist in multiple countries and was part way through a PhD. She covered the 2000 American elections and was live on the ground for 9/11.

☆ Pick A Royal Lady, and I’ll Share Three Positive Things About Them ☆