Month: November 2012

In Surprising Visit, Urdangarin Meets With King

Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma and Infanta Cristina’s husband, visited King Juan Carlos today along with other members of the Spanish Royal Family at Quirón San José Hospital in Madrid.

His Majesty was recovering from a previously scheduled hip surgery.

It was the first time, media reports indicated, since the King had met with his son-in-law since he became embroiled in a high profile corruption scandal. Infanta Cristina is said to have orchestrated the visit.

Queen Sofia and her grandson Juan Valentín, as posted by the Royal Household. © Agencia EFE

The visit also came just days after prosecutors asked a judge to approve roughly 4 million euro in bond for the Duke. They accuse him of stealing public funds along with his partner while heading the non-profit Noós Institute.

King Juan Carlos’ sisters, Infantas Pilar and Margarita, also visited him at the hospital.

Click here for video and coverage from Spanish Television.

Click here for an Hola photo gallery.

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TV Station Preparing A Biopic of King

Spanish newspaper El Pais spun the news as Telecinco “daring” to go where others may not.

The station has announced that it is producing a biopic of King Juan Carlos. Amid talks about the Crown’s popularity and Catalonian calls for independence in defiance of the King, observers are concerned about what the film may include.

A young King Juan Carlos at the White House with President Gerald Ford.

A recent Telecinco production about the courtship of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, a divorced television news personality, was wildly popular.

Spanish Television has also produced films featuring the Royal Family, including one about the failed 1981 coup, which the King is said to have watched and liked.

Done With Summit, Back In The Shop

King Juan Carlos is — using his own words — going back into to the shop. Doctors will soon perform yet another hip surgery on the Monarch, who has had difficulty walking.

Don Juan Carlos went under the knife earlier this year after his fall in Botswana. This time, however, doctors will treat his left hip.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King said he delayed the surgery to make room for this weekend’s Cádiz Summit of Ibero-American heads of state and government. His Majesty has been deeply involved in hosting the event.

“Without a doubt the Cádiz Constitution provided the seed for ideas of liberty that influence so many European and American constitutions,” the King said speaking about the short-lived but important 1812 document.

Don Juan Carlos also spoke about the economic and social progress being made by many Latin American countries in contrast with the pain in Europe.

“Our sights are on you,” he told the leaders assembled. “You have made great efforts to be where you are and we can’t but recognize it and look for shared experiences.”

Queen Sofia tours the sites with the spouses and guests of Ibero-American leaders.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King has made wooing Latin America a pillar of his agenda to help the Spanish economy. He recently toured several countries there, and today hosted a Royal Palace lunch for Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

His Majesty awarded President Rousseff the Collar of Isabella the Catholic, Spain’s highest honor. And he encouraged Brazilian companies to invest in Spain.

The next Ibero-American summit will be in Panama. This year’s may be the last one hosted by King Juan Carlos in Spain.

King, Royals Headline Ibero-American Summit

The Spanish Royal Family will be in the spotlight this week as it hosts the 22nd Ibero-American summit in the southwestern port city of Cádiz.

Today King Juan Carlos met with Dominican President Danilo Medina, the first Head of State to arrive at the gathering, which mostly consists of Spanish and Latin American leaders.

Meeting at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Ecuatorian President Rafael Correa. Later on, he will host a lunch for outgoing Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

Then, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias will attend official summit ceremonies. The Queen is also scheduled to host a meeting with first ladies during the weekend.

Queen Sofia speaking in Vienna.

Earlier this week Prince Felipe presided over a meeting of young people from Ibero-American countries. The event was meant to include youth in finding solutions to regional problems.

King Juan Carlos is hoping for a successful meeting with the goal of strengthening ties between Spain and Latin America, a key part of the country’s economic growth strategy.

Queen Sues Cheating Website

Queen Sofia is suing the website Ashley Madison for pasting her face on another body and using it in an ad for the dating service, according to numerous media reports.

Ashley Madison, a branch of Canadian company Avid Life Media, encourages people to have affairs facilitated by the site.

The media reports indicate that Her Majesty is suing the company with private money.

Queen Sofia giving out King Jaime I awards in Valencia.

Recently, the Royal Household expressed discontent at Ryanair using the Queen for one of its ads after she flew on the airline on a rush visit to her brother in London.

King Juan Carlos did not take legal action for another Ashley Madison ad using his likeness.