That is true. I believe the problem is that Letizia misjudged what she was getting into. She had a good career, caught a prince and thought that from now on she would automatically be one of the most admired and respected women in Spain and that she was simply perfect for the job (what could have been true). Well, it turned out differently and she somehow seems to be in a state of shock about the constant critizism and respectless media attitude towards her. When I see her I wish she would relax and just be herself and not think about possible mistakes or what people think of her. Instead there always this tension, trying hard to prove that she's up to the job and people feel that. When looking at the Letizia around engagement time I think it's a fact that Zarzuela made her change her personality / appearance to a high degree - at least in public and therefore she's still struggling. Her role and her personality are worlds apart but must somehow be matched - that causes a lot of stress, I believe, not being allowed to be herself.
Furthermore, Letizia was somehow "thrown" at the spanish public, meaning that she did not have to go through the fire before marriage that all the others had to endure - just remember Mette-Marit or Maxima - but this time is important to help clearing all irritations and smoothening the way for respect and admiration. I understand Felipe's reasons to go this way - thinking of Eva Sannum - but by presenting Letizia instantly as his fiancee he tried to suppress the critizism that has now constantly found its way during the past four years. In my opinion the "Maxima way" is much better - clear all the controversial stuff beforehand, even if it means a controversial discussion with the public, media and the parents, but finally backing and standing by the woman and getting married to her brings along respect. Willem Alexander went that way and he and Maxima came out very strong whilst Felipe gave in to his parents and the media with Eva Sannum - a big mistake if he really loved her - and tried to cowardly outwit the media and the public when presenting Letzia, with her bossy nature and divorcee past, an attitude that has clearly backfired since shortly after their marriage when looking at the big picture.
Oh come on, even someone with Sofia's caliber who didn't get admired or respected at the very beginning. Letizia was fully aware that the public scrunity she was going to face at the time of engagement, that was mentioned in her boss Urdaci's book. He even encouraged her at that time that with her character, drive and the same efforts she put in her journalist career, she would overcome all the difficulties and do very well. The only surprise she had was a certain veteran journalist (Jaime P) would write any rumors without verification since Letizia herself had always verified the news until the last minute. But she seemed to get used to it after a while.
For Felipe, according to his biographer Jose Apezarena, he was never bothered being photographed with any woman he was dating, but he was fully aware the consequences for the women. From the day on that they had a date with the prince, their lives changed. It was pretty much women's calls if they wanted to be known dating the Prince or not. Did you not read the article written by Letizia's friend from CNN, mentioned that she had dinner with Letizia and a couple of other friends in June 2003, Felipe suddenly showed up and sat next to Letizia. Felipe just came from outside Madrid, wanted to see her, thus he came to the restaurant directly. Her former boss had mentioned in his book that he warned Letizia in Sept 2003 about the paparazzis after she was seen at a bar with Felipe. According some royal insiders, Felipe had always been very honest with them on the women he had been dating. Maybe a certain sector of press didn't know, it probably had a lot to do with their short courtship, not Felipe tried to outwit the press.
For Letizia, she wished that the relationship was handled discreetly since she was afraid it would do damage to her career, her independence, her credibility. That's perfectly understandable. She had worked so hard to get where she was, she didn't want any risk to put her seriousity as a journalist in question. Actually all the media heavy weights who could make a difference knew about their relation before the engagement. The head of royal household had even paid a visit to Federico Jimnez Losantos and his radio station who had millions of followers to ask for his opinions on the engagement annoucement (that was written in his biography). The yellow press was annoying at most, without letting them know, it saved Letizia being harrassed as ex Isabel Sartorius, but the yellow press was pretty much insignificant on whom the Prince could marry.
Backfire ? What had backfired ? From the engagment until now, most of the press Letizia got in Spain was very positive, the only worrysomes they had at the beginning was that she was not able to take a backseat to Felipe, she already proved that she could do that. A couple of journalists always criticized her no matter what she did, that's about all. Of course for certain posters who always looked for negative news, that was probably all they wanted to read.
Each country has its own job description, own media's temperament. Maxima could call WA stupid at the engagement, wear Valentino's wedding gown, have very exaggerated gestures, often popped in front of WA as if she was the one going to reign, that didn't bother the friendly Dutch media, not it was particularly wrong IMO, but she probably would have faced heavy criticisms in Spain if she were the one to marry Felipe. For the Princes' ex girls being rejected, I'm pretty sure everyone had one or two. WA had dated a local girl Emily Bremer for 4 years right before Maxima and Emily had never been accepted by Queen Beatrice. At the end of the day, Felipe was pretty sure what other qualities he was looking for in a woman besides being in love and stood by it, just read what he had been saying at his 35th birthday in 2003.
"So the future queen must understand, appreciate, and know how to represent that function in Spanish society."
"I won't abandon my aim to marry someone I'm in love with, someone with whom I have an honest, profound relationship on which to base a family, common values and interests that will allow us to share a family and professional life… to serve Spain in the best way possible."
I'LL MARRY FOR LOVE, SAYS SPAIN'S CROWN PRINCE