Author Nieves Herrero is currently on tour presenting her novel La Prometida (Ediciones B), a work that intertwines fiction and historical events, centering on the wedding of King Baudouin of Belgium with Spanish aristocrat Fabiola de Mora y Aragón. The novel, which has already reached number one in sales for narrative fiction on Amazon, reflects the public's interest in this period of European history, marked by recovery after World War II.
Herrero, originally from Madrid, has revealed that her next novel will be set in the Andalusian capital, Seville, a city where she spends considerable time. "I was excited for it to be the setting," commented the writer, though she preferred not to disclose further details, as its publication is scheduled for 2028.
The choice of Fabiola and Baudouin's wedding as a starting point stemmed from the fascination the character of Fabiola held for the author. "Fabiola was one of the characters that kept nagging at me," she explained. The novel combines real history with a fictional character, Margot, a journalist and detective, a challenge Herrero describes as "the most difficult novel" due to the coherence the narrative demands.
Documentation is fundamental for Herrero, who seeks to "find something that isn't in any book," such as direct testimonies offering a different perspective on the characters. The author focuses on "telling stories" rather than teaching history.
The novel addresses Fabiola's deep sorrow over not being able to have children, having suffered five miscarriages. This circumstance led her to dedicate herself to helping disadvantaged children, finding her mission in this work. The couple raised the current King of Belgium, Philippe, as if he were their own son.
The wedding of Fabiola and Baudouin represented a "great boost for regaining hope in old Europe," being the first time a woman without royal blood married a monarch. This union also fueled "Fabiola-mania" and served for Spain to open up to the world, with Fabiola acting as an ambassador.
Herrero also reflected on the figure of the current King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, whom she considers "a cornerstone of stability." Quoting Victoria Eugenia, the writer states that "the crown is not won in the cradle, but in the street," and that the current monarchs have "earned it in the street" with their closeness and actions, such as the swift offer of the Falcon jet after an Iberia plane malfunction.
