Princess Leonor of Spain’s touching gesture: How the future queen showed her unwavering support for her grandmother Queen Sofia of Spain at her sister Princess Irene of Greece’s funeral

The Spanish royal family rallied around Queen Sofia of Spain as she paid her respects to her sister, Princess Irene, following her death.

This is the touching moment Queen Sofia of Spain was supported by her granddaughter Princess Leonor as she bid a final farewell to her sister, Princess Irene of Greece.

Dubbed the ‘Princess of the Poor’, Irene was the sister of Queen Sofia and King Constantine II of Greece. Both the Greek and the Spanish royal families turned out in force for Princess Irene’s funeral in Athens on Monday as the world reflected on the life of the ‘unconventional’ royal.

Queen Sofia was supported by her three children and six of her grandchildren as she paid her respects to her sister – almost three years to the day since she buried her brother.

Sofia, who is the wife of the former King Juan Carlos I and mother of the reigning King Felipe VI, appeared visibly moved at several points during the service at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens. Crown Prince Pavlos, one of Princess Irene’s eight nieces and nephews, delivered a moving address, in which he spoke of how much his beloved aunt would be missed.

During the service Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letitiza, showed maturity beyond her years as she reached out to take Queen Sofia’s hand in a touching moment of support. Leonor remained steadfast by Sofia’s side and repeatedly checked in on her grandmother, who lowered her head and gazed off into the distance. At another point in the service King Felipe reached out to take his mother’s other hand. Queen Letizia was also photographed taking her mother-in-law’s arm in a sweet gesture.