Wherever the royal family travels, their shadow follows: a sizeable group of journalists and photographers tasked with documenting every step that King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters take in public. In Palma de Mallorca, the concentration of cameras is high, making outings from the Marivent complex that they share with Queen Sofia rare. Inside, they have everything they need to enjoy their rest: their own home, Son Vent, and a pool.
Summer chronicles of the royal family’s activities typically note that Queen Letizia and her daughters are not very fond of sailing, something that may be put into question after Princess Leonor’s voyage on the Juan Sebastian Elcano. Still, one should distinguish sailing proper from the pleasurable activity of gliding slowly through the Mediterranean to plunge into paradisiacal hidden coves. Who wouldn’t like that?
There have been no documented sea visits by Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofia to Cabrera Island, although local media claim they occur every year. The latest photos crossing its waters date from 2011, but previously it did appear as a favorite enclave of King Juan Carlos and even Queen Sofia. The mother of King Felipe VI has visited it on several occasions to participate in turtle releases, part of conservation programs.
What does Cabrera Island have to become the royal couple Felipe and Letizia’s secret vacation destination? Obviously, privacy. We are talking about a territory specially protected, and access is by no means easy. Declared a Maritime-Terrestrial National Park in 1991, there are no population centers, not even a permanent population, and overnight stays are possible only with special permits and for scientific reasons.
Queen Sofia, on Cabrera Island in 2001.
That said, it is expected that if King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and their daughters announce a visit to Cabrera Island, such permissions will not be extended in order to preserve the privacy of the royal family. They thus enjoy a pristine landscape, with cliffs, pines, a great biodiversity also in the sea and crystal-clear waters. It goes without saying: there are no hotels, restaurants, bars, or dwellings. Tourism is neither present nor expected.
Cabrera Island, a natural paradise
Cabrera Island is the largest of the eponymous archipelago, located about ten kilometers south of Mallorca. Its name, incidentally, derives from the wild goats that once inhabited it. It is said that in the Middle Ages there was a monastery of wayward monks. It was also a base for Barbary pirates, until a castle was built to drive them away.
Since 1916, the island has been used as a military enclave where shooting practices and maneuvers were carried out, hence its biodiversity has been preserved so extraordinarily well. In fact, today it remains the property of the Ministry of Defense and maintains an occasional military presence for ground maneuvers. The management of the national park is indeed directed by the Government of the Balearic Islands.
Cabrera Island, with the Ensiola Lighthouse in the background.
Nevertheless, we reiterate, there is no documentation of recent boat departures by the royal family; journalist Mariángel Alcázar, one of the long-time reporters covering the Royal Household, revealed in her column in La Vanguardia that King Felipe VI wanted to rent a boat in the summer of 2023. It seems reasonable to suppose it was for family use during the days they spend at Marivent. It cannot be ruled out, however, that Queen Letizia has completely erased from her schedule the option of leaving the enclosed grounds.
The Queen has not had good experiences on board, at least not with regard to her privacy. When she was still the Princess of Asturias, photographers’ determination to obtain a bikini photo was obsessive. They achieved it on two occasions, 2007 and 2011, both while she was on the deck of a vessel; first on the yacht Fortuna and then on the Somni.
