All living Spanish prime ministers took King Juan Carlos out to dinner this evening to one of his favorite Madrid restaurants, Cava Baja, media outlets reported.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy — plus former premiers Aznar, Zapatero and González — wanted to mark the one year anniversary of the King’s abdication.
King Felipe late last month repeated his call for Spanish unity as Catalonians continue to debate their future within the country.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia were in the Catalan community of Girona to hand out the Princess of Girona Foundation awards and to attend a development forum hosted by the foundation.
As heir to the Spanish throne, the King and Queen’s daughter, Leonor, is Princess of Asturias but also of Girona.
King Felipe said success would be base “in the unity and common objective of the citizens of Catalonia and all of Spain to build a better society.”
Also late last month King Felipe and King Juan Carlos gathered at the Royal Palace in Madrid with Spanish and European leaders to commemorate Spain’s entry into the European Union.
Spain joined the EU after consolidating the democratization process under King Juan Carlos. That process included returning autonomy to Catalonia.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia last week celebrated one year on the Spanish throne with low-key public events and sky high approval ratings.
Their Majesties had lunch at the Royal Palace along with King Juan Carlos and Queen Felipe and top government representatives.
Don Juan Carlos abdicated last year, at least in part, to help restore public support to the Crown amid a tough economy and other controversies.
New polls show his son, King Felipe, with more than 80 percent support among Spaniards. Queen Letizia is also held in high esteem with more than 70 percent approval.
While granting Order of Civil Merit Awards to people who have served the State, King Felipe reiterated the Crown’s commitment to the country.
Don Felipe said it has a been a year “that has opened a new era in the parliamentary monarchy” meeting the demands of the 21st Century.
U.S. Visit
King Felipe and Queen Letizia are scheduled to make a U.S. trip in September to highlight relations and Spain’s importance in American history.
Their Majesties are also expected to visit President Obama at the White House in Washington, D.C. And the King is set to speak at Georgetown University, where he studied international relations.
King Juan Carlos visited President Obama in the White House several years ago. First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Royals in Spain also in recent years.
King Felipe coincided with President Obama during an overseas trip, but the president has not accepted Spanish invitations to a state visit in Madrid.
Queen Letizia yesterday became the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization’s first nutrition special ambassador.
Her Majesty attended a Rome ceremony yesterday marking the appointment.
The Queen, a strong public speaker, said it was intolerable for so many people to go hungry while the planet produced more than it consumed.
King Felipe last week stripped his sister Infanta Cristina of her Duchess of Palma title because of the corruption scandal embroiling her and her husband.
King Juan Carlos made infanta Cristina a duchess when she married Iñaki Urdangarin. But authorities accuse Urdangarin of using a non-profit company for personal gain. And the Infanta has stood by her husband.
The Royal Household under Don Juan Carlos had already stripped the couple of royal duties and had urged Infanta Cristina to renounce her dynastic rights. She has refused.
Events have moved fast. Infanta Cristina was in Spain recently with the rest of her family for Prince Kardam’s funeral.
However, now the dispute is over whether the King stripped Infanta Cristina of her title or she resigned it. She sent him a letter doing so at around the same time.
Infanta Cristina is now living and working in Geneva. Her mother, Queen Sofia, serves as a bridge between family members.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrived in France today for a three day state visit.
Their Majesties called off an earlier trip after a German airliner traveling from Spain crashed in France.
The King and Queen are meeting with French President Francois Hollande and a roster of other French officials, plus industry leaders and Spaniards living in France.
Today Their Majesties visited the Arch of Triumph in Paris, the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Elysee Palace and an exhibit of Spanish art.
King Felipe also helped honor French workers who responded to the airplane crash, plus met with the head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Abdication Anniversary
The King and Queen’s trip to France coincided with the one year anniversary of King Juan Carlos’ abdication announcement.
Don Juan Carlos continues making public appearances, but much fewer. He was recently at a a bullfight in Madrid.
His wife, Queen Sofia, also continues to make frequent public appearances, including helping inaugurate a facility for the disabled.
Their daughter, Infanta Elena, was also at a bullfight this week.
Infanta Cristina, who may go to trial for corruption allegations tied to her husband’s business dealings, remains off the Royal agenda.
Spanish monarchists and establishment political figures gasped when football fans whistled during the the national anthem, the Royal March, at this weekend’s King’s Cup final game.
Critics said the whistling, with King Felipe in attendance, was a sign of deep disrespect. Some suggested punishing teams with fans misbehaving.
Other political figures, including heads of the Basque and Catalan governments, which tend to be wary of the national government, said any punishment would just boomerang.
Whistling is not uncommon at games and other events, especially amid Spanish discontent over corruption scandals and the economy.
Queen Letizia spent most of the week on a landmark whirlwind tour of Central America.
Her Majesty’s stops in Honduras and El Salvador mark the monarch’s first international solidarity and cooperation visits of her young tenure.
Such trips, which include visits with local leaders and citizens, are meant to highlight and promote Spanish aid efforts.
By taking on the task, Queen Letizia is following in the footsteps of Queen Sofia, known for her international aid promotion trips.
The trips are also a chance for Spain to promote cultural and economic relations with its former colonies.
Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish Crown, celebrated her first communion at school last week along with family.
Pictures of the actual ceremony have yet to emerge, but members of the Royal Family posed for the waiting press outside.
Present were King Felipe and Queen Letizia, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and Infanta Sofia, among others.
Separately, members of the Royal Family this weekend celebrated the first communion for the children of King Felipe’s cousin, the son of Infanta Pilar, King Juan Carlos’ sister.
Queen Letizia broke with Spanish Royal Family tradition during a flag ceremony for the Civil Guard in the Basque Country last week.
Her Majesty decided against wearing a more formal, black dress and mantilla on her hair as queens have done for such ceremonies, and as Queen Sofia did in the picture below.
Queen Letizia, instead, wore the same dress she wore for her proclamation.
Even though ardent monarchists have not been fond of the breaks in tradition, many Spaniards and media outlets welcome the changes.
Recently she and King Felipe dressed down to attend a Madrid scientific monologue contest, above, and the King celebrated Spanish victory in a basketball tournament, below.
LOS BORBONES 