Princess Elionor subidubidú gets on the plane

The media construction of monarchs in Spain would deserve a book that would shame more than one outlet. One of the most delicious chapters, in case anyone is encouraged to write it, would be all the paraphernalia that is assembled to bestow upon them a military aura. It is true that, formally, with the crown of king comes the title of captain general of the armed forces, but it is evident that the decisions involving going to shoot shots here or there are made, fortunately, by Congress. And, therefore, the abundance of photographs we have seen in recent weeks showing Princess Leonor piloting warplanes is something more than a graphic confirmation of her military training: it is pure and simple propaganda, executed with the complicity of the media that pay homage. I'm not saying the heir to the throne shouldn't have military knowledge, but I would say that, in case of conflict, she would precisely be the last Spaniard to get into an Eurofighter and start handing out bullets with the Mauser BK-27 cannon because everything would be activated to keep her safe, sound, and well bunkered.

Photographing Leonor in a khaki camouflage suit and her hands on the controls of a $110 million beast is a frivolity only explainable by the narrative that is intended to be conveyed: that she – by virtue of her lineage – has received exclusive training that enables her to command all military personnel (including veterans with decades of service who have trodden the ground). This Wednesday it was La Razón that showed her, intrepid, but a few days ago El País offered a similar photo that I imagine must have made its republican readers, if they still have any, raise an eyebrow. As the good people of La Trinca sang, in the song that helped me title today's Pareu Màquines: "And going up and down we travelled for free / La Seca and La Meca and the valley of Andorra".