January 2014 – LOS BORBONES

An airplane carrying Prince Felipe broke down this week for the second time in recent weeks.

Last year a problem with a Spanish Air Force Airbus 310 forced His Royal Highness to cancel a trip to Brazil.

This week, the Prince’s flight had to return to the Dominican Republic while on its way to Honduras. Don Felipe eventually made it to Tegucigalpa.

Prince Felipe meeting with President Lobo.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The Prince went to Honduras to meet with outgoing President Porfirio Lobo and attend the swearing-in ceremony for new President Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado.

The Prince’s airplane problems have caused a stir in the Spanish media because the A310s were a controversial purchase.

Spain’s Defense Minister sent a different one for Don Felipe’s return, just in case.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia receiving Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his wife María Clemencia Rodríguez Múnera at Zarzuela Palace this month.

Beyond that, Spaniards are wondering how Infanta Cristina’s upcoming testimony will go before a Balearic Islands judge in connection with the corruption investigation of her husband.

Queen Sofia at the Royal Theater in Madrid. — Queen Sofia presiding over an event at the Royal Theater in Madrid Monday.

Media reports say the Princess’ testimony will not be recoded to prevent leaks. There has also been discussion about how she will arrive because of concerns about giving her proper security but also not offering her special treatment.

King Juan Carlos was hoping for this year to be better than the last. But the first week of 2014 is already giving him major headaches.

His Majesty made his first public Monday appearance outside his home, Zarzuela Palace, since his last hip surgery for the annual “Pascua Militar” event at the Royal Palace.

However, Don Juan Carlos still had trouble walking, relied on crutches and fumbled through parts of his speech.

The King’s physical weakness has led some officials to press him to consider abdication. He has declined to do so.

The Royal Household instead highlighted the austerity surrounding the ceremonies and said the King, who blamed low light in the palace’s Throne Room, was just as disappointed in himself.

But then came news that Judge José Castro had decided to subpoena the King’s daughter, Infanta Cristina, in the corruption investigation involving her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin.

An appeals court had thrown out a previous call for the Infanta to testify. The prosecutor in the case has expressed disagreement with involving her.

Still, she is due to appear in a Palma de Mallorca courtroom in March, according to various news sources.

Royal Household chief Rafael Spottorno has called for a swift resolution of the investigation. The King has said he respects judicial decisions.

King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at Zarzuela Palace today.

While the Royal Household is looking to recover its eroded popularity — which it surveys regularly — this week’s events has led to more bad press.

The ongoing tough economy plus the loud calls for independence from at least some sectors of Catalan society are also a concern.

Media outlets reported that protestors jeered Queen Sofia and a number of public officials during a public event in Madrid this evening.

Month: January 2014

Royal Flight Affected, Again

Tough Week For King