Royals Mark Good Friday, Celebrate Easter

Spain’s Royal Family marked Good Friday and celebrated Easter according to tradition.

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© Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Palma de Mallorca

King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, Infanta Sofia and Queen Sofia attended mass at the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

A man caught a candid picture of Queen Sofia and her sister Princess Irene watching a Good Friday procession in Palma. He posted it on Facebook.

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Queen Sofia chats with Princess Irene.

The magazine Hola also published pictures of Infanta Elena, King Felipe’s sister, and Infanta Pilar, King Juan Carlos’ sister and Duchess of Badajoz.

They were at the Royal Palace in Madrid along with Infanta Pilar’s daughter, Simoneta Gómez-Acebo y de Borbón.

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King, Queen Honor Belgium Victims

King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Belgium’s embassy in Madrid to sign the condolence book for the victims of this week’s terror attacks.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Their Majesties wrote: “Belgium’s pain is today Spain’s pain. The pain in Brussels is the pain of all of Europe. Our unity is also our strength against aggression, for liberty and our peaceful coexistence.”

Other Activities

In recent days the King and Queen attended a concert to honor victims of terrorism in Spain. The country has a long history with the problem.

Earlier this week King Felipe visited a Civil Guard training academy in Madrid.

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Last week the King and Queen both welcomed Portugal’s new President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to the Madrid Royal Palace.

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The King and Rebelo de Sousa walk up the Royal Palace’s main staircase surrounded by Royal Guard members.

 

King Felipe had recently attended the inauguration ceremonies in Portugal.

Lightning Stop In Puerto Rico

King Felipe and Queen Letizia made a quick stop in the former Spanish colony of Puerto Rico, now a U.S. territory.

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Gov. Alejandro García Padilla welcomes King Felipe. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Their Majesties opened International Congress of the Spanish Language in San Juan, and also took time to visit some sites.

The local media widely covered the visit and residents were thrilled the royal presence, except people who took to social media to say they weren’t interested.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia with the governor and his wife. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Social media was also abuzz with Puerto Rico First Lady Wilma Pastrana’s first outfit for meeting the King and Queen. Many people thought it was trashy.

Then Puerto Ricans screamed when a live broadcast of the King’s speech misspelled “majesty.” Someone used a “g” instead of a “j.”

However, days later, people were commenting that old Spanish texts included the word majesty with a “g.”

Leaked Text Messages Raise Eyebrows

Spanish media outlets, particularly El Mundo newspaper, are questioning comments by made Queen Letizia in private text messages.

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Queen Letizia speaking in Madrid.

The leaked notes show the Queen, a former journalist, called a supplement of the newspaper “shit.”

The King and Queen were texting with a friend who became embroiled in corruption scandal involving charge cards from troubled financial giant Bankia SA.

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King Felipe with military leaders at the Madrid Royal Palace.

Their Majesties appeared to be backing their friend, apparently the Queen’s yoga buddy. She called him “compi yogui,” a phrase that has now gone viral.

Authorities are looking into the leak, rare if not unprecedented in Spain, where the Royal Family’s private communications are seen as off limits.

El Mundo published a respectful but snarky open letter to the Queen. But there has not been much comment from the Royal Household because the messages were private.

 

Royals Delay British Trip

King Felipe and Queen Letizia are putting off their state visit to the United Kingdom, at least for now, according to media reports.

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King Felipe arrives in Portugal this week for the inauguration of that country’s new president. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The political uncertainty in Spain, where parties have been unable to form a new government, is limiting Their Majesties’ schedule.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia attend a concert in honor of terror victims. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Because Spain is functioning under an acting government, the ability of officials to conduct foreign policy is limited.

Instead, the King and Queen are planning a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a Spanish language summit.

The island’s government is said to be sprucing up the governor’s mansion — the colonial Palace of Santa Catalina — in case King Felipe and Queen Letizia stop by.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia visited Puerto Rico in the 1980’s, and slept at the mansion.

Queen Sofia Is Back

Queen Sofia is back after several months out of the spotlight in Spain and off the Royal agenda.

Her Majesty visited the Basilica of the Christ of Medinaceli in Madrid for an annual veneration ceremony.

At least one member of the Royal Family has tried to attend the event every year for the last 300 years.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Queen Sofia was said to be taking care of family issues in recent months. At the same time, she has always been deeply committed to keeping up with tradition.

Today she presided over a gathering of the Queen Sofia School of Music along with several family members.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Above is Queen Sofia with arts patron Palona O’Shea, Marquise of O’Shea and mother of Banco Santander SA head Ana Patricia Botín. Queen Sofia’s sister Princess Irene is in the background.

Below is Infanta Irene, O’Shea, Queen Sofia, and then the Queen’s sister and brother-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Soria.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Felipe Staying Out Of Political Impasse

King Felipe is staying out of the country’s ongoing political impasse, which could lead to new elections in the coming weeks.

The King has met with the leaders of different political parties following last year’s inconclusive elections.

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The King meeting with Congress President Patxi López. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

His Majesty last month tapped Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez to form a government, after conservative Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was unable to cobble together a coalition. Sanchez also failed to gain enough votes in parliament.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia visit an exhibit honoring Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes at the National Library in Madrid. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The King could suggest another candidate. But media outlets say he’s staying above the fray, at least for now.

King Meets With Separatist Leaders

King Felipe met briefly with Catalonia’s new leaders, who are pushing for independence from Spain.

His Majesty gathered with new Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and Parliament President Carme Forcadell late last month at the Gran Liceo theater in Barcelona for the opening of this year’s Mobile World Congress.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

The King has struggled to remain impartial amid several political crises in Spain.

Yet, he remains a symbol of the country’s unity and establishment amid separatist and anti-establishment rumblings.