Penelope Cruz has been “transformed” by motherhood

She said: “From the first second, you feel so much love. It is a revolutionary experience. That's the best way I can describe it. It transforms you completely, in a second. Nature is very wise and gives you nine months to prepare, but in that moment, when you see that face, you are transformed forever."

The 37-year-old Spanish star admitted she found it “hard” to initially understand what becoming a mother would mean to her until she held baby Leo in her arms.

She added to US Vogue magazine: “Even if you have heard from all your friends and family, ‘This is what’s going to happen’, until it happens to you, it’s hard to understand in your soul.”

However, Penelope and Javier are hoping their son will be able to lead as normal a life as possible as he grows up.

She said: “I want my son - and my kids if I have more - to grow up in a way that is as anonymous as possible.”