Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

12. The Law

June 2034

June is pride month for LGBTQ. The streets of Madrid are filled with their parades. Some houses and apartments even fly the rainbow flag, the symbol of LGBTQ.

Meanwhile in Queen Leonor's room...

"Excuse me, Your Majesty."

"Please sit down, Teresita." Teresita Ruiz is the current prime minister of Spain. She sat down in the chair provided.

"Our party faction has submitted a new bill. The parliamentary meeting will be held next week," Teresita explained.

"What bill is that, Tere? It's almost summer break. Is it that urgent?" Leonor frowned.

"It's not really urgent. But this is the momentum now and I'm sure you'll agree." Teresita seemed to end her sentence with a smile.

"Really? What is it?"

"We propose that surrogacy be legalized," Teresita replied while handing over a sheet of paper containing the draft law.

"What? No! That is a form of exploitation of women who become surrogate mothers. If anyone wants to do it, they can do it in another country that allows it. And until now there has been no problem, right?"

"You can read it first, Your Honor. What we mean here is altruistic surrogacy , which is a non-commercial surrogacy, which does not involve paying. For example, there is a gay couple who wants to have a child. They can ask a female family member, such as one of their sisters to be a surrogate mother. There is no paying transaction here. No one will feel exploited. And of course this applies to heterosexual couples who have fertility problems." Teresita smiled again at the end of her sentence. Leonor understood, the sentence was a dig at her.

"Well, okay. This is the right momentum because it's currently pride month. I'll leave everything to the parliamentary meeting. And seeing as your party faction has the majority of seats in parliament, I think this bill will be approved." Leonor returned the sheet of paper to Teresita.

"Alright. Thank you, Your Majesty," said Teresita, bowing her head.

"Sure."

After the prime minister left the room, Leonor sank into her assumptions. 

Can I have a child with a surrogate?

Who wants to be my surrogate without getting paid? Is there anyone?

Would the Spanish public be against a potential royal heir being born from a surrogate mother?

__________

Meanwhile that evening in Zarzuela Palace.

"There's a big news!" Umberto shouted as he entered the dining area.

"Hush, don't scream. My child is still small and has sensitive hearing," said Sofia who was feeding baby Carlos beside her.

"I'm sorry, Sofia. But this is really a big news." Umberto pulled out a chair next to Leonor and sat down.

"What? Tell me." Leonor asked as she took a sip of water.

"Non-commercial surrogacy will be legalized."

Leonor almost choked on her drink. Sofia dropped the baby spoon she was holding. While Alex and Letizia could only gape.

"Who told you that? Ruiz?" Leonor said after making sure she wouldn't choke again.

"Yes, you already knew? Why didn't you tell me?"

"That Teresita Ruiz! She's like making fun of us because we don't have kids yet."

"She and her party just want to help. Well, maybe that's not their main intention. But this is a way for us, my wife."

"That's just a draft law, right? It's not certain that it will be approved by parliament," said Queen Mother Letizia.

"But her party dominates the parliamentary seats. It's just a matter of time," Alex added.

"But even if the law is approved, there is still another problem for us, Alex. Do the Spanish people want their future king or queen to be born from a surrogate mother? And above all, this is non-commercial surrogacy. Is there a woman who would carry my child without being paid? No one!" Leonor elaborated.

Leonor's words silenced everyone at the dinner table. They silently agreed with what Leonor said. They are now busy with their own food.

"I'll go to the kitchen to get a new baby spoon. I drop it earlier. Alex, please watch Carlos," said Sofia as she left the table and headed to the kitchen.

"Just call Ana, Sofi," Leonor said. Ana was a servant in the palace.

"No, I'll get it myself."

_______

20 minutes later Sofia still hadn't returned. Alex then took the initiative to follow his wife.

Arriving in the kitchen, Alex saw Sofia standing looking straight out the window. There was no baby spoon in her hand.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Alex said as he approached his wife.

"Sorry, I just thought of something. About surrogacy."

Alex was shocked. "Are... Are you going to volunteer to be Leonor's surrogate? No way!"

"Why not? I am her own sister. We are both women of the Bourbon dynasty. The child will be born from the womb of a Bourbon woman. And of course I am not asking for a payment."

"But you haven't even had a baby in a year, Sofi. Carlos is only 7 months old."

"Well, not now, Alex. The law hasn't been officially approved yet. Maybe we can do it next year.

"But, my dear..."

"There's another reason too. I want Carlos to be a normal child without any burdens, not a future king. Being a future king is a big responsibility. Let him determine his own future."

After thinking it over, Alex agreed.

"Yes, I think, you're right."

Suddenly there were footsteps towards the kitchen.

"Hey, what are you guys doing? It's taking so long. You two leave Carlos alone." It turned out that Umberto was looking for the couple.

"Sorry, Umberto. We'll be right back at the table." Alex replied.

"OK. We're waiting." Umberto stepped out.

Sofia and Alex return to the topic of surrogacy.

"So, you as my husband allow me to do it?"

"Yes, I think it's a logical and noble choice, Sofi. Win-win solution."

"Thank you." Sofia hugged her husband. The burden on her shoulders felt lighter.

_________

Then they returned to the dining room.

"Sorry for keeping you all waiting," said Sofia.

"We have something to tell you all," Alex said.

Automatically all attention was on the couple. Sofia took a breath.

"I am willing to be a surrogate for Leonor."

What happened next happened in a flash. Leonor went over to Sofia and hugged her. Gracias, hermanita , she said. Umberto shook Alex's hand, his eyes filled with tears. Letizia joined Sofia and Leonor in hugging. 

Meanwhile, baby Carlos still doesn't understand the adults around him.