U-turn in Queen Sofía and Irene of Greece's situation: no one expected it

Queen Sofía has made a U-turn regarding her sister Irene of Greece, whose health has caused concern in recent months. Although the emeritus queen kept away from Mallorca this summer to stay by her side, this week there has been a move that no one expected.

Felipe VI's mother recently traveled to Greece, where she decided to accompany Queen Anne-Marie in the celebration of her 79th birthday. The event has caused surprise, especially because until now Queen Sofía had prioritized Irene's company. What has changed for her to make this decision?

Queen Sofía decides to travel to Greece and marks a turn in her attention to Irene of Greece

To understand this unexpected trip, it is necessary to remember that the summer of 2024 was very different for Queen Sofía. Instead of extending her stay in Marivent, where she used to spend weeks with her granddaughters, she barely attended the Balearic society reception. The reason was the delicate health condition of Irene of Greece, who could not travel due to medical advice.

In recent months, sources close to the Royal Household stated that the princess was experiencing good days and difficult days, within a condition described as "stable in its severity." That situation had led Queen Sofía to devote herself to her sister, with whom she has kept an unbreakable bond for decades. The strong connection between the two, forged since their childhood in Greece and consolidated during their life in Madrid, seemed to prevent any separation.

However, in recent days something changed. According to OK Diario, Irene of Greece showed some improvement, which allowed Queen Sofía to travel to Athens. The trip had a very special reason: to accompany her sister-in-law Anne-Marie on her 79th birthday.

The gesture was interpreted as an unexpected turn in the emeritus queen's situation. Many thought that she would not leave Madrid while Irene was going through a delicate moment, but the princess's improvement may have allowed this trip. It doesn't mean that Irene has overcome her problems, but it does mean that she is going through a more stable period.

This move not only reflects a change in Felipe VI's mother's schedule, but also a sign of hope regarding her sister's condition. The presence in Athens also recalls the strong bond that Sofía keeps with her Greek roots. The last time she was seen there was in February, during Prince Nikolaos's wedding to Chrysi Vardinogiannis.

The close relationship between Queen Sofía and Anne-Marie of Greece

Anne-Marie's birthday was not just another event on the family agenda. The relationship between the Danish queen and Sofía of Greece has always been deep, even before Anne-Marie's marriage to Constantine II. In fact, Anne-Marie was one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of Juan Carlos and Sofía in 1962, a detail that shows the trust between them.

For decades they have shared joys and also very difficult moments, such as King Constantine's exile and, more recently, his death in January 2023. Since then, Sofía and Anne-Marie have shown themselves to be closer than ever. The trip to Athens is, therefore, a sign of continuity in that mutual support that characterizes their bond.

In this context, Anne-Marie's birthday took on a symbolic value. For Queen Sofía, participating in the celebration was a way to honor Constantine's memory and keep the family tradition alive. In every meeting, it is clear how the bonds between the siblings are renewed, despite the geographical distance and official obligations.

There is no doubt that Queen Sofía has surprised everyone with an unexpected turn by traveling to Greece despite Irene of Greece's delicate moment. The move reflects both her sister's slight improvement and the importance of keeping family ties alive.