King Juan Carlos has assigned salaries for Queen Sofia and Princess Letizia, his daughter in law and future queen consort.

Queen Sofia will receive about 132,000 euros a year in salary and expenses for representing the Crown. Princess Letizia will receive a little more than 100,000 euros.

Queen Sofia and Princess Letizia have already been receiving similar amounts, but calling their compensation a salary means they become professional workers in service of the the Head of State, the King.

The move has become common among European monarchies and is part of the Spanish Royal Household’s effort at becoming more transparent.

The Spanish Royal Household often boasts at being among the cheapest in Europe, costing taxpayers less than 8 million euros a year. Critics, however, say there are other expenses in sustaining the Crown that are not part of the official budget.

King Juan Carlos makes almost 300,000 euros for being Head of State. Prince Felipe, his son, makes about 146,000.

Infanta Elana, who often represents the Royal Family at official events, gets up to 25,000 euro.

Infanta Cristina, whose husband is being investigated for corruption, has not been representing the Crown at official events and is therefore not on payroll.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Spanish Royal Household released the Christmas cards from King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

The King and Queen’s card features an image of Bassano’s “Adoration of the Pastors,” part of the Royal Collection at El Prado National Museum in Madrid.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias sent out a family picture. In the backdrop is a 1600’s portrait of Infanta Margarita.

In recent weeks, the Royal Household also released a website for children to learn more about the Royal Family.

Infanta Elena, the King’s eldest daughter, expressed concern this month by people’s skepticism with public institutions, including the Spanish Crown.

“I am disquieted by the distance people are feeling with institutions,” Her Royal Highness told the Spanish EFE news agency during a rare interview this month to mark her 50th birthday.

Infanta Elena, who is divorced, said she is always willing to represent the King, her father, and Spain at home and abroad.

Infanta Elena said her father taught his children a culture of effort. Her mother, the Queen, taught them tolerance, respect and concern.

The Spanish princess, who manages cultural and social projects for the foundation associated with insurance company MAPFRE SA, would not talk about her brother-in-law’s corruption investigation or talk of her father’s abdication.

She said her own children are more of their generation, focusing on homework and getting ahead.

Click here to read the interview (in Spanish).

King Juan Carlos has always had a healthy sense of humor.

Now, according to recent news reports, his new surgeon, Dr. Cabanela, revealed that His Majesty pretended to fall as a practical joke to health aides.

Cabanela also said the King tried to reach him at home but spoke to his wife instead. Cabanela said his wife was startled by the telephonic encounter.

“I think the King has called you and I thought it was a joke,” Cabanela’s wife supposedly said, “and I was about to tell him I was the Queen!”

The King recently had his second scheduled operation and is now in recovery.

Meanwhile, Queen Sofia yesterday attended a Christmas concert at the Teatro Real in Madrid.

Media reports indicate the Queen is now in Geneva for the birthday of one of Infanta Cristina’s children.

Prince Felipe showed off his knowledge of French recently during Madrid’s attempt to host the Olympics in 2020.

Last week he whipped out his Portuguese in a video to address a Spanish-Brazilian business forum.

Prince Felipe was scheduled to travel to Brazil for the meeting but problems with his Spanish Air Force airplane forced him to cancel.

Spanish newspaper El País recently debuted a site in Portuguese for Brazilian audiences.

Also last week, His Royal Highness participated in a military training exercise in Zaragoza.

While he was there, his mother, Queen Sofia, visited pandas at the Madrid Zoo.

Her Majesty is known for a keen interest in animals and has been photographed with pandas before.