Photos of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova on a night out in Madrid without Crown Princess Mary have emerged.
The heir to the Danish throne and the reality TV star enjoyed a night out in the Spanish capital last month, which included a stroll in a park, going to an art exhibition and a meal while watching flamenco.
In the photos, first published by Spanish magazine Lecturas last week, the royal and the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba are seen spending hours together, walking through the city before heading to her apartment building, changing clothes and heading out again for the evening.
The publication of the photos caused shockwaves in Spain and Denmark and led to Genoveva, 47, to issue a statement denying any kind of romantic relationship between herself and the future King.
In a legal letter posted on Instagram, she slammed the ‘malicious’ rumours suggesting the pair were romantically involved.
Both Frederik, who is fourth cousin of King Charles, and his Australian-born wife of 19 years Princess Mary have not commented on the photos. They appear to be carrying on business as usual, today taking their son Prince Christian, 18, to sign a solemn declaration to abide by the Constitution at the Council of State.
Photos of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Genoveva Casanova on a night out in Madrid without his wife Crown Princess Mary have emerged. Pictures, taken throughout the day, show the pair having a stroll around El Retiro Park
Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately at around 7pm. Genoveva, dressed in jeans and a brown coat, is seen heading into her apartment building
The Crown Prince is pictured heading into Genoveva’s apartment building to change his clothes following a walk in the park at around 7pm
Last week, the Spanish media reported that the royal father-of-four and the socialite, who has previously dabbled in acting, visited a Pablo Picasso exhibition, walked through El Retiro Park and later went out for dinner.
Spanish gossip magazine Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately at around 7pm and both re-emerged at around 9pm, two hours later, both having changed their clothes into evening wear.
Photos show Genoveva ditched her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favour of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Frederik appeared to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket.
They are reported to have emerged from the building separately, but got into the same white car.
The magazine claimed the pair watched a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which finished at midnight.
It also claimed they remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish Prince’s bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off.
Lecturas claimed the pair did not emerge from the restaurant until 1am, when they walked out on to the street and got in a car. In a ‘gesture of courtesy’, Crown Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion.
The next day, Frederik was taken to the airport via car where he flew home to Denmark, the magazine claims.
Frederik is seen leaving Genoveva’s apartment building before heading to dinner. He appears to have to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket
The pair are seen outside the apartment in Madrid at around 9pm before heading out to dinner. Photos show Genoveva ditched her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favour of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders
The magazine claimed the pair watched a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which finished at midnight (seen at the restaurant)
The pair appeared to head into a Flamenco show at the Corral de la Morería in Madrid. They are pictured outside the venue at around 1am. The magazine claimed the pair remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish Prince’s bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off
Lecturas claimed the pair did not emerge from the restaurant until 1am, when they walked out on to the street and got in a car. In a ‘gesture of courtesy’, Crown Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion
The pair are seen in their car home from the restaurant. Frederik appeared to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket
Following the publication of the photos, Genoveva issued a furious denial that there was any romantic relationship between herself and the Danish royal.
A statement from the socialite said: ‘I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederik and me.’
She added: ‘Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner.
TIMELINE OF FREDERIK’S NIGHT, ACCORDING TO MAGAZINE
The magazine claims the following timeline of events took place.
October 25, afternoon: Frederik and Genoveva walk around El Retiro Park
7pm: Frederik and Genoveva go to her apartment separately
9pm: They emerge from the building separately, having changed clothes, and get into the same white car
9pm-12am: Pair travel to El Corral de la Moreria restaurant for dinner and to watch flamenco
1am: The pair leave the restaurant and get into a car
8.30am: Frederik leaves Genoveva;s apartment
‘This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honour, truth and privacy.’
The magazine published photos of Crown Prince Frederik which it claims show him leaving Genoveva’s apartment.
In the photos, he is alone and wheeling a hand-luggage-sized suitcase along the street.
The editor of Lecturas, Luis Pliego, claimed on Spanish TV station Telecinco , that Frederik’s visit to Madrid was ‘secret’.
Since the photos emerged, those in the know have claimed the pair are good friends who ‘meet several times a year,’.
‘They have a friendship. They know each other and have friends in common. They usually meet several times a year,’ Susanna Griso, who presents Spanish TV show Espejo Público, claimed.
Griso alleged Genoveva had become close to the heir to the Danish throne after they met on a high end mountain hunting trip.
The presenter explained: ‘These are exclusive meetings, where you have to pay a lot of money to attend.
‘All of the royals and children of the major families are there. The trips are organised mostly in Germany and Austria.’
On trips of this kind, usually in mountainous regions, guests pay thousands of Euros to be able to hunt European big game animals like red deer, Alpine Ibex, wild boar and mouflon wild sheep.
Griso added: ‘Her friends have told me that she is having a very bad time of it. She is in hiding right now and has turned off her mobile phone because she doesn’t want anyone to call her.’
Next day, the magazine claims the heir to the Danish throne was taken to the airport via car where he flew home to Denmark. Crown Prince Frederik Of Denmark is seen alone the next day
Crown Prince Frederik is seen heading off at 8.30am the next day in a black coat and trainers
It was the publication of photos in Lecturas magazine that sparked huge media interest in Spain.
Casanova is a Mexican-born socialite living in Spain, who has also dabbled in acting over the years – taking a role in Goya’s Ghosts in 2006.
She has appeared on several reality TV shows in Spain including the nation’s version of the Masked Singer, the most recent series of Spanish Celebrity Masterchef and an all-star version of The Chase.
Between 2005 and 2007 she was married to Spanish author Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, and the couple share two children.
Business as usual: Frederik is seen driving with his son Prince Christian and wife Prince Mary so the young Prince can sign the Constitution
Keep calm and carry on: The royal couple, pictured today on the way to parliament with their son Christian, 18, appear to have adopted the Queen’s ‘never complain, never explain’ mantra
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (left) put on a brave display as she hosted Queen Letizia (right) of Spain and her husband on the third day of their state visit to Denmark, just hours after the photos emerged
Both Mary and Frederik (pictured together in Denmark) have not commented on the claims
He is one of the five sons of the late Duchess of Alba, who was worth an estimated £2.2billion and was one of Europe’s wealthiest aristocrats, being a direct royal descent from King James II of England.
They divorced in 2008 but have maintained a friendly relationship and she’s said that they still speak every day.
After her divorce, Genoveva was linked to Mexican singer Luis Miguel, although the pair never confirmed if they were in a relationship.
She then dated Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, a Senior Policy Adviser with the UNHCR before coupling up with Spain’s former Minister of Justice, José María Michavila after the death of his wife.
Her most recent romance was in 2022 with José Manuel Gayán Pacheco, an agricultural businessman.
Inside Princess Mary’s real-life fairytale as it’s rocked by Mexican socialite drama: Denmark’s future queen met Prince Frederik in a pub 23 years ago and had no idea he was royal
By Jessica Green for MailOnline
Their 23-year romance has been dubbed a ‘real-life fairytale’ – yet Princess Mary and Prince Frederik’s relationship made headlines yesterday for less glowing reasons.
Frederik, 55, the heir to the Danish throne, was photographed with reality star Genoveva Casanova, 47, in Madrid last week where they attended an exhibition of the works of Pablo Picasso, without his wife of 19 years.
Publication of the pictures in Spanish magazine Lecturas led the divorcee Mexican socialite to issue a statement ‘categorically’ denying any suggestion the pair are romantically involved, branding it ‘malicious’ and untrue, according to Hola!.
The news broke amid a packed schedule of events for the royal couple during the state visit King Felipe of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia, and will no doubt have been viewed as an unwelcome distraction by Mary, who has scarcely put a foot wrong in her almost two decades as a working royal.
Mary Donaldson, was a 28-year-old advertising executive when she first met Frederik in a packed city pub, the Slip Inn, in Sydney 23 years ago.
She had no idea the handsome European tourist she had been chatting to for hours was actually Crown Prince Frederik, future king of Denmark.
Now, married for 19 years and proud parents to four children, Mary is poised to become the world’s first Australian-born queen and has won her adopted country over by her dedication to royal duty and her fluency in the language.
Then: A fresh-faced Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark drapes his arm around Tasmanian advertising executive Mary Donaldson in a photo believed to be taken shortly after their first meeting in 2000
After the pub encounter, then 32-year-old Fred – who was in Australia to support Denmark’s sailing team at the 2000 Olympics – asked Mary for her phone number and a romance blossomed.
‘The first time we met we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, “Do you know who these people are”?’ Mary revealed in an interview about meeting the heir to the Danish throne.
They maintained a long-distance relationship for a year, with Frederik making secret trips Down Under before Mary moved to Denmark to study Danish language at Copenhagen’s Studieskolen in 2001.
In early 2003, Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged the relationship and the couple announced their engagement at Amalienborg Castle later that year on October 8.
Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905.
In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden.
Princess Mary shows off her engagement ring to the media during a press conference at Fredensborg Castle October 8, 2003
Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905
In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden
The couple are spotted together at the Melbourne Cup in 2002, months before Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged their relationship
Frederik and Mary make their first official appearance together at the Tasmania Yacht Club ahead of the Dragon Boat World Championship on January 19, 2003
At the altar, Frederik announced: ‘From today, Mary is mine and I am hers. I love her, and I will protect her with all my love.’
Their first child, Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, was born October 15, 2005; Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe followed on April 21, 2007.
Almost four years later Mary and Frederik welcomed twins, Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda and Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on January 8, 2011.
Standing on the hospital steps, a beaming Frederik declared: ‘It’s a miracle.’
The family has returned to Mary’s native Australia on many occasions, visiting famous landmarks in Sydney, Canberra and the Northern Territory and even spending Christmas Down Under.
The sporting event which brought them together continues to hold a special place in their hearts, with the couple attending the Olympics in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
In 2009, Frederik was appointed to the International Olympic Committee – a role he has had ever since.
Married for 19 years and proud parents to four children (pictured together), the famously down-to-earth royals are adored by millions, with Mary poised to become the world’s first Australian-born queen
Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary (pictured with her husband) has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity, becoming a patron of more than 25 international organisations since her marriage to Frederik in 2004
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (left) has been given the right to act as regent in place of her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe (right) when the monarch is otherwise engaged
In October 2019, Mary took one step closer to becoming the first Australian-born queen after she was named regent in a historic move by Queen Margrethe.
The title gives the Princess power to perform duties as head of state when the 80-year-old monarch is overseas or otherwise engaged.
Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity, becoming a patron of more than 25 international organisations since her marriage to Frederik in 2004.
Patronages include the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Population Fund, where she supports their work to promote maternal health in more than 150 developing nations.
In 2007, the Princess launched The Mary Foundation, a charity focused on stamping out domestic violence, bullying and loneliness.
Meanwhile, according to Hola!, Crown Prince Frederik’s private trip to Spain was to enjoy art exhibitions, watch flamenco and visit new restaurants.
Despite the storm that has left European society agog, the Crown Prince and Princess both joined King Felipe of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia on the final day of their state visit to Denmark yesterday
It is believed that he had planned to attend the Picasso exhibition with a mutual friend he shares with Genoveva – however at the last minute, the friend was unable to go and asked Genoveva to attend in his place.
After visiting the exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, the pair walked through El Retiro Park, before heading to El Corral de la Morería for dinner.
A statement from the socialite said: ‘I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me.’
She added: ‘Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner.
‘This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honor, truth and privacy.’
Genoveva Casanova is a Mexican-born socialite living in Spain, who has also dabbled in acting over the years – taking a role in Goya’s Ghosts in 2006.
She has appeared on several reality TV shows in Spain including the nation’s version of the Masked Singer, the most recent series of Spanish Celebrity Masterchef and an all-star version of The Chase.
Between 2005 and 2007 she was married to Spanish author Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, and the couple share two children.
He is one of the five sons of the late Duchess of Alba, who was worth an estimated £2.2billion, and was one of Europe’s wealthiest aristocrats and a direct royal descent from King James II of England.
They divorced in 2008 but have maintained a friendy relationship and she’s said that they still speak every day.
After her divorce, Genoveva was linked to Mexican singer Luis Miguel, although the pair never confirmed if they were in a relationship.
She then dated Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, a Senior Policy Adviser with the UNHCR before coupling up with Spain’s former Minister of Justice, José María Michavila after the death of his wife.
Her most recent romance was in 2022 with José Manuel Gayán Pacheco, an agricultural businessman.
Gossip magazines in both Denmark and Australia have published speculation about the state of the royal couple’s marriage over the years, but there is nothing concrete to suggest they are anything but happily married.
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