A girl for Princes Felipe and Letizia: Infanta Sofia of Spain

It is a second girl for Prince Felipe and wife Princess Letizia, who is now the third in the line to the Spanish throne, after her father and Leonor, her sister, 17 months. Although the gender of the baby was announced shortly after the pregnancy announcement due to possible Constitution changes if it were a boy, the name was still unknown. The Prince stated in the press conference at Ruber Hospital that the name for their second daughter would be Sofia, like her paternal grandmother, the Queen. Her full title would be Princess Sofia of Spain, or Infanta Sofia of Spain, which is the title for the daughter or son of an heir.

The baby was born by c-section at 4:50 pm Spanish time, weighted 3310g and measured 50 cm. Her umbilical cord’s cells will this time stay in Spain and in an European centre for future prevention of possible diseases, after the controversy when Leonor’s were sent to a United States’ centre, the Cold Blood Registry, in Arizona.

The Queen returned this same night from Moscow, where she attended the funerals of Mstislav Rostropóvich, a good friend of hers, to visit her eighth grandchild Sofia. The selection of the name was made by both of her parents who "wanted the Queen to have a grandchild with her name."

Thanks to CBB readers Joana, Julie, Christine, and Leslie.

Comments

“for their third daughter would be Sofia, like her paternal grandmother”

Third daughter? Leonor is the first, I thought this baby was their second?

Sarah’s note: Char made a mistake – it’s been corrected.

- lanie on April 29th, 2007

Sofia is their second daughter, she is third in line to the throne.Behind Prince Felipe and then Priness Leoneor.It does state at the beginning of the article she is the second daughter,Hope that helps.

- Mickiala on April 29th, 2007

Oh I like the name, I can’t wait to see her. Daddy Felipe says she looks like Leonor.

- Ana on April 30th, 2007

Three royal princesses born this year and in the same month!! First it was Ariane born Apr 10, then is was the new Danish princess born Apr 21, and now it’s Sofia. Congrats to Felipe, Letizia, new sister Leonor and the entire Spanish royal family. Now the number of girls finally match up with the number of boys in the royal family-four boys(Felipe, Juan, Pablo and Miguel), and four girls(Victoria, Irene, Leonor, and now Sofia). Sofia is one true blessing. Looking forward to another future queen!!

- J.J. on April 30th, 2007