Future queen’s aunt calls for end to monarchy

Henar Ortiz, a self-proclaimed “secular, red and republican” supporter, wasted no time in voicing her disapproval of the monarchy on her Twitter account soon after news broke of King Juan Carlos’s abdication on Monday.

She called for a referendum in numerous comments hashtagged #referendumNOW and retweeted photos of anti-monarchy demonstrations from across Spain.

Asked by one of her followers why she was going against her niece if she was to become queen, she replied “I’m not against her, let’s not mix blood with politics”.

Henar Ortiz had previously told fashion magazine Vanity Fair she didn’t think Letizia “would become queen” and that she was a “Catholic only in events” and had had “republican” views before marrying Prince Felipe.

She also told Vanity Fair she would sell photos of Letizia’s first wedding to journalist and teacher Alonso Guerrero and that she would do so for €600,000.