Genoveva Casanova’s ex-husband says notorious photos of Mexican socialite enjoying an evening with King Frederik have caused ‘a lot of pain’ for their children

Photos of King Frederick of Denmark enjoying an evening in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova have caused ‘a lot of pain’, her ex-husband claims.

Late last year, the royal father-of-four, 55, and the Mexican socialite, 47, were pictured taking a walk in a park, going to an art exhibition and having a meal while watching flamenco.

The images were first published by Spanish magazine Lecturas in November 2023, prompting the mother-of-two to deny ‘malicious’ rumors about her friendship with the royal family.

Earlier this week, Genoveva’s ex-husband Cayetano Martínez de Irujo – whose official title is the Count of Salvatierra – appeared on TV presenter Susanna Griso’s show – where he touched on the scandal.

Discussing the footage, the rider, 60, said: “Well, that’s an issue that will be seen in court, they caused a lot of pain to (Genoveva) and my children, a lot of pain.”

Genoveva and Cayetano married in 2005 and the couple share their 22-year-old twins Luis and Amina.

Cayetano’s comments come after a royal expert claimed that Queen Margrethe Denmark abdicated as a form of ‘damage control’ in the wake of the scandal and to prevent ‘Mary from divorcing Frederik’ over the ‘affair’ rumours.

Royal reporter Kenth G. Madsen argued that Margrethe had “no choice” but to resign.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the royal reporter claimed: ‘It can be difficult to forgive perceived infidelity in a relationship unless the price for turning a blind eye is high enough.

‘Against the background of the revelation of Frederick’s visit to Madrid and the documentation of the meeting with Genoveva Casanova, it is reasonable to assume that Queen Margrethe found the time to throw out a lifeline, before the relationship between the crown prince couple was completely devastated by the scandal.

‘The queen actually had no other choice: in a strategic move, the monarch managed to take the focus off the rumors about the affair and at the same time give Mary the hyper-rare status of queen.

‘A royal divorce scandal of that magnitude could destroy the strongest royal family forever.

‘The risk that the popularity and reputation that the Queen has built up in her 52 years as monarch could be forever destroyed if she had not limited the damage.’

The tabloid claimed that both Frederik and Genoveva went separately to her apartment building around 7 p.m. and both emerged around 9 p.m., two hours later, both having changed their clothes to evening wear.

Photos show Genoveva ditching her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favor of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders.

Meanwhile, Frederik seemed to have changed from a navy blue jacket and brown trousers to a white shirt and dark trousers with a neat dark jacket.

They are said to have come out of the building separately, but got into the same white car.

The magazine claimed the pair had seen a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which ended at midnight.

It was also claimed that they remained seated at their table, which was flanked by two of the Danish prince’s bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished their shifts and the lights were switched off.

Lecturas claimed the pair didn’t leave the restaurant until 1 a.m., when they walked out onto the street and got into a car. As a ‘courtesy gesture’, Crown Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion.

The next day, Frederik was taken by car to the airport, where he flew to Denmark, the magazine said.

Following the publication of the photos, Genoveva angrily denied that there was a romantic relationship between herself and the Danish royal family.

A statement from the socialite said: “I categorically deny the statements that indicate a romantic relationship between Prince Frederik and me.”

She added: “Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth, but also maliciously misrepresents the facts.

“This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the relevant steps to protect my rights to honor, truth and privacy.”

The magazine published photos of Crown Prince Frederik in which he said he left Genoveva’s apartment.

In the photos he is alone, driving down the street with a suitcase the size of a carry-on.

Lecturas editor Luis Pliego claimed on Spanish TV channel Telecinco that Frederik’s visit to Madrid was ‘secret’.

Since the photos emerged, those in the know have claimed that the pair are good friends who “meet several times a year.”

‘They have a friendship. They know each other and have mutual friends. They usually meet several times a year,” claimed Susanna Griso, who presents the Spanish TV show Espejo Público.

Griso claimed that Genoveva became close to the heir to the Danish throne after they met during a hunting trip in the mountains.

The presenter explains: ‘These are exclusive meetings, for which you have to pay a lot of money.

‘All members of the royal family and the children of the major families are present. The trips are mainly organized in Germany and Austria.’

Earlier this month, Genoveva deleted her Instagram page – a move that the Spanish press described as “dramatic” and alluded to her “fatigue” at being thrust into the spotlight for her friendship with the recently crowned Danish monarch.