King’s Operation Successful

King Juan Carlos’ hip operation this week has been a success.

Queen Sofia has been among the several members of the Royal Family who have visited His Majesty at Quirón University Hospital in Madrid.

Also there this week were Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, plus Prince Felipe and Princes Letizia.

Doctors had to operate the King to address an infection stemming from hip replacement surgery.

They are now administering antibiotics and will soon have to operate again.

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

His Majesty received ambassadorial credentials before going into surgery. He did so at Zarzuela Palace, rather than the usual venue, the Royal Palace in downtown Madrid.

King Juan Carlos Back Into Surgery

King Juan Carlos will be back in surgery in the coming days to deal with a rare infection stemming from a previous thigh procedure, the Royal Household said in a press conference yesterday.

The operation could put the king, 75, in recovery for several months, at a time when he has been wanting to be more active with the purpose of recovering his public image.

The head of the Royal Household said yesterday that Prince Felipe and other members of the Royal Family could continue to substitute the King at events, but that his duties as Head of State are non-transferable.

In other words, King Juan Carlos may not be able to attend the upcoming Ibero-American summit in Panama, and the Prince would not be able to sit in for his dad.

With the new surgery, the latest of several in recent years, talk of abdication resurfaced. The Royal Household said no such thing is being considered.

The Spanish government also said that King Juan Carlos would be able to sign important document, like Royal Decrees, from the hospital or recovery.

Royal Gathering

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, the new monarchs of the Netherlands, were in Spain this week visiting King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia and Infanta Elena.

Earlier this week Queen Sofia was in Cádiz presenting the battle ensign for Spanish Armada’s new warship Juan Carlos I.

Queen Sofia wore the traditional mantilla for the formal occasion.

King Opens Judicial Year

King Juan Carlos today opened the Judicial Year today at the Palace of Justice, the home for the Spanish Supreme Court.

His Majesty presided over the event wearing the Grand Collar of Justice, which dates back to the reign of Queen Isabella II.

Among numerous events presided by members of the Royal Family in recent days, Queen Sofia toured a new art exhibit at the Royal Palace and over the weekend went to a concert at the National Auditorium of Music in Madrid.

The King and his son, Prince Felipe, have also presided over several military related ceremonies.

Last week Don Felipe, the Prince of Asturias, visited the Cartagena area to visit the Spanish Armada’s base.

Queen Sofia In New York Amid Busy Agenda

The Spanish Royal Family’s agenda is quickly picking up after the recent summer vacations in Europe.

Today King Juan Carlos handed out the King Juan Carlos Human Rights Award at the famed Univerity of Alcalá.

The King’s son, Prince Felipe of Asturias, also presided over several meetings today at Zazrzuela Palace in the outskirts of Madrid.

However, Queen Sofia is the one capturing the headlines. Her Majesty has been in New York this week.

She was at the United Nations to receive the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Rights Award on behalf of Spain.

During her remarks, the Queen said the award represented the goal of complete equality for people in society.

Queen Sofia also met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and spoke at a development work meeting. © Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos — Queen Sofia also met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and spoke at an international development work meeting.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

It should not come as a surprise that Queen Sofia, a big sports fan and a booster of Spanish athletes, took some time to see Rafael Nadal win the US Open.

Prince Disappointed By Madrid Loss

Prince Felipe expressed disappointment this weekend over Madrid’s loss to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.

Don Felipe, and his wife, Princess Letizia, were in Buenos Aires lobbying for the city’s bid, along with other officials, including Government President Mariano Rajoy.

The Prince is said to have impressed delegates with his use of French, English and Spanish to answer questions about Madrid’s preparedness.

In the end, the Prince of Asturias said he understood the “sadness from the people of Madrid and all of Spain.” He said, “This is a competition that we were not able to win.”

Prince Felipe Pushes Madrid’s Candidacy

Prince Felipe arrived in Buenos Aires this week to help boost Madrid’s chances of becoming the Olympic host city for 2020.

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Asturias, is the honorary head of Madrid’s delegation, has been assisting rehearsals and will be on hand for the city’s presentation over the weekend before the International Olympic Committee.

Princess Letizia will join her husband in Argentina later this week, the Royal Household said.

Meanwhile, King Juan Carlos today met with Bolivian President Evo Morales at Zarzuela Palace.

Gossip about the Royal Family continues amid the ongoing corruption investigation surrounding the Duke of Palma, the King’s son-in-law.

Media outlets reported this week that Don Juan Carlos loaned his daughter, Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma, more than 1 million euros to buy a mansion in Barcelona.