Today the King took his daughter, the Princess of Asturias, to a soccer match. It signals the Royal Household’s effort to put the heir to the throne closer to the public eye.
In recent days Don Felipe spoke to business leaders in Madrid, evidence that his duties despite the ongoing political impasse.
“The growth of the Spanish economy could not be understood without the great collective effort of all Spaniards,” said the King, highlighting national unity.
His Majesty continued: “I ask you to continue working in that direction, creating an environment favorable for the economy and business. Despite economic improvements, we still have plenty of work to do.”
King Felipe late last week met with Congress President Patxi López as parties prepare for new elections.
Queen Letizia also recently spoke at a gathering for combating rare diseaseas, one of her passions. And King Felipe held an audience with Prince Albert of Monaco at Zarzuela Palace.
Spanish authorities and Infanta Cristina’s lawyers are revealing a blackmail scheme against the King’s sister.
Authorities are accusing an anti-corruption advocate of asking the Infanta for money in exchange for dropping complaints against her.
Infanta Cristina and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, are under indictment on corruption charges. Prosecutors say he used a non-profit group to enrich himself.
The Infanta says she is innocent and is confident of acquittal. Still, her brother stripper her of her title as Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.
More recently, Barcelona leaders revoked a golden medal from the city. The took the same action against former Catalan President Jordi Pujol.
A global scandal involving the release of millions of documents from Panamanian firm Mossack Fonseca is spilling on the Spanish Royal Family.
The company is said to provide wealthy individuals and companies with ways to hide their money abroad.
Among the firms clients was Spain’s Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz, King Juan Carlos’ sister and King Felipe’s aunt.
The Royal Household has washed its hands of the situation because Infanta Pilar is not a member of the Royal Family, according to media outlets.
The duchess is said to have cut ties with Mossack Fonseca years ago amid widespread opposition to politician with offshore accounts. Tax authorities are investigating.
Pay raise
Separately, in recent days media outlets reported that members of the Royal Family were getting a 1 percent pay raise, along with other public workers.
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.
Last week the King and Queen both welcomed Portugal’s new President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to the Madrid Royal Palace.
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.
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.
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.”
Spanish media outlets, particularly El Mundo newspaper, are questioning comments by made Queen Letizia in private text messages.
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.
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.
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.
LOS BORBONES 