Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn is German-born (Frankfurt-am-Main), twice divorced, and 46 years old. She is the daughter of Danish-born Finn Bonning Larsen, European Director of Varig Airlines, and his wife, Ingrid. According to recent reports, she has been romantically linked with King Juan Carlos I of Spain since 2006. She is not the first of the King's many mistresses as he has been linked with numerous women since before his marriage to Princess Sophie of Greece. One of his alleged conquests was Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen, whom he allegedly passed on to the Aga Khan.
Corinna has a rich social life. She is fond of sailing and hunting, "two passions she shares" with King Juan Carlos. She spends a lot of time in Spain each year, and lives at El Pardo, near the Royal Palace.
It appears she may even used the King's name for her own benefit. In 2007, she met with Prince Alwaleed, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was received as the "representative of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain." At the time, an official spokesman for the King said that Juan Carlos "is not aware that Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn has represented His Majesty at any time."
There are two stories concerning how the King first met Corinna. One story has them meeting in 2006, when the King made a private visit to Ditzingen, a town in southern Germany. Portuguese publications assert that the meeting took place a year earlier, when Corinna took part in the Spanish Challenge, a sailing competition. In 2007, they met again in Valencia at another sailing competition.
By 2010, Corinna moved into a house near Zarzuela Palace. The former editor of ABC, the Spanish newspaper wrote an editorial about "the notorious failure" of the King's marriage to Doña Sofia," and the "close and intimate acquaintance of Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn was no longer a rumor."
Corinna has been married and divorced twice. Her first husband, Philip Atkins, is the father of her daughter, Natassi, born in 1992. She was married in 2000 to Prince Casimir of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn. They were wed in a civil ceremony in London. A religious wedding in Salzburg, Austria, a year later, after Corinna's first marriage had been annulled. They divorced five years later. They have a son, Prince Alexander.
Before meeting the King, Corinna had a long term affair with Muck Flick, heir to the Mercedes fortune.
It has been largely taboo for the Spanish media to discuss the king's health or his private life, or dared to discuss the lack of intimacy at Zarzuela. Until now.
The hunt has begun. It is now open season in Spain, especially. Corinna will never win the hearts of the Spanish people.
I agree with you about Corinna never winning Spanish hearts, although that's what they once said about Camilla Parker-Bowles. Camilla isn't the "People's Princess," but I think people respect her now.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Camilla didn't break up a 50-year marriage with an apparently blameless and highly respected queen.
Corinna is the latest in a long line of bed mates ...and what if Sofia has had her own friends ... who would blame her.
ReplyDeleteI take pity on Queen Sofia, but Juan Carlos should think of Spain and the monarchy rather then himself.. I hope this doesn't get worse !!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's a private matter. The King is essential for the Spanish unity and he proved the efficiency of the Monarchy. The Queen is a fantastic Lady, we cannot find many who can be compared. But... who cares about that Corinne something zu-nothing?
ReplyDeleteIt's not private anymore . the elephant, I mean, the cat is now out of the bag. Too late to close the barn door!
ReplyDeleteSpain is in turmoil on many fronts. The King's affections and attention need to be on his family and country or he will lose his position as a unifying figure. The Spanish people will definitely move behind the Queen. I suggest that the King consider the mood of the country. It can be a domino effect on a grand scale.
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