Two years ago when she turned 80, Sofia of Greece and Queen Emeritus of Spain, received the gift she most wanted: to gather the whole family around her table.
The schism created by the legal problems of his son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin had dynamited relations between them.
That day they all agreed to pose together for a photo on the staircase that leads to the main house of the La Zarzuela palace.
It was the first time in a long time that Kings Felipe and Letizia were photographed with the Infanta Cristina removed from official life and facing her brother.
There was also the emeritus king who at that time maintained a cordial relationship with his wife, something that had not been the case for a long time.
His continuing health problems and Corinna Larsen's disappearance from his life made things easier between them.
But soon everything exploded and that photo is unthinkable today.
Doña Sofía celebrates her saddest birthday this Monday.
They say that the King's mother lives these days discouraged, something unusual for a woman with an iron discipline who puts her obligations before other issues.
This attitude has allowed him to stay by the side of Don Juan Carlos developing an official life that had nothing to do with private life.
The emeritus kings have been separated for many years but their institutional obligations kept them together.
There have been times when the only communication between the two was through their secretaries.
Doña Sofía has always known that her husband leads a life on the sidelines, first with Marta Gayá and then with Corinna Larsen.
The only thing he always asked for was discretion.
It is the dissemination of that other life of Don Juan Carlos by Larsen that bothers the emeritus queen as well as the information that may harm the institution and specifically her son.
Through Don Felipe, the Queen Emeritus always remained faithful to her commitment to the crown.
In these discouraged times, Doña Sofía continues to count on the King's complicity.
Mother and son have always been very close.
For example, Don Felipe wanted that this year the queen emeritus did not miss the ceremony of delivery of the Princess of Asturias Awards, an appearance that was in question due to the special organizational circumstances derived from the pandemic.
For this reason, also in Princess Eleanor's speech there was a wink to her grandmother when she referred to the "people we love" and looked towards the place where she was.
Officially Doña Sofía is still active in the Casa del Rey but her presence has decreased especially due to the pandemic.
Even so, it can be seen in cultural events, environmental actions and in visits to different headquarters of the Food Bank, one of the tasks in which it is most involved.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, he will attend the National Music Auditorium in an act that is on the Zarzuela agenda.
Don Felipe wants his mother to continue with the activities she wants regardless of the future of his father, who has been living in Dubai since August.
The professionalism with which the queen emerita exercises her work suffered a small slip when, upon her arrival in Oviedo for the Princess of Asturias Awards, a journalist wanted to know if she had spoken with Don Juan Carlos since he left Spain.
"Oh, what a question," he was heard saying as he walked away from the cameras.
Who remains next to Doña Sofía is her sister Irene, who lives with her in the palace of La Zarzuela.
It is your confidant and counselor who acts as a meeting point when family tensions require it.
Doña Sofía reaches 82 years of age in excellent physical shape.
They have always been very careful and it shows.
Years ago he opted for natural treatments and healthy eating.
He does not eat meat but indulges himself from time to time with sweets.
It is common to see her taking long walks through the Monte de El Pardo with her dogs.
That is when you are not in the living room listening to music or watching television.
A simple life for what you can think of a queen and more typical of a woman who turns 82 years old.
