Prince Felipe Celebrates Justice

Prince Felipe celebrated justice and the judicial profession in Spain one day after a judge named his sister as a suspect in a corruption probe.

Prince Felipe made remarks celebrating judicial “independence, impartiality and respect for laws” during a ceremony welcoming new judges in Barcelona today.

Prince Felipe with Catalan President Artur Mas to his left and Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría to his right.

Prosecutors are appealing the judges decision to subpoena Infanta Cristina in the case involving her husband.

Prince Felipe today also met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at El Pardo Palace outside Madrid.

Infanta Cristina Now A Suspect In Corruption Probe

Balearic Islands Judge José Castro has named King Juan Carlos’ daughter Infanta Cristina in a corruption probe surrounding her husband Iñaki Urdangarin.

Infanta Cristina, center, at a Red Cross event.

Urdangarin is under investigation for allegedly using a non-profit company to funnel public funds for private gain.

Former associate Diego Torres has handed over documents in an attempt to tie other members of the Royal Family in the scandal.

The Royal Household — which expressed surprise at the news — has denied wrongdoing and King Juan Carlos years ago told Urdangarin to give up questionable business dealings.

Today Queen Sofia handed out awards to encourage greater access for people with disabilities.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince Felipe visited a new energy facility in the Basque Country.

Infanta Cristina is the first member of the nuclear Royal Family to ever be called before a judge as a suspect.

Does The King Owe Taxes?

The Royal Household is looking into claims that King Juan Carlos may owe taxes from the money his father left him, El Mundo and other news outlets are reporting.

Opposition parties are asking for information about three Swiss bank accounts that news accounts say belonged to Don Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, the Count of Barcelona.

He is said to have left his son about 375 million Spanish pesetas, the currency before the Euro.

King Juan Carlos' father, the Count of Barcelona, resigns any claims to the throne, allowing his son to follow Gen. Franco as Head of State. The King's mother Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies in yellow. © Agencia EFE — King Juan Carlos’ father, the Count of Barcelona, resigns any claims to the throne, allowing his son to follow Gen. Franco as Head of State. The King’s mother Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies in yellow.
© Agencia EFE

Don Juan died on April 1st 20 years ago. Members of the Royal Family will soon gather to honor his memory.

In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth decided in the early 1990’s to voluntarily pay taxes.

Royals Out For Easter

Members of the Spanish Royal family attended Easter mass yesterday at the Mallorca Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca as part of a long standing tradition.

Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, and Infanta Elena attended the services. Also there were young Infanta Sofia and Leonor, who may one day become queen.

Infanta Elena, the Duchess of Palma, did not attend amid her husband’s corruption investigation.

The Duchess of Alba also celebrated Holy Week and her 87th birthday with a public outing. Click here for an Hola photo gallery from Seville.

Royals Host IOC Reps

Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia and Infanta Elena welcomed International Olympic Committee representatives at the Royal Palace last week.

They were hoping to impress the Evaluation Commission for Madrid’s candidacy to host the games in 2020.

Prince Felipe said in the Palace’s main dining hall that Madrid was not only a European City but also represented broader Ibero-American aspirations.

More than 100 guests attended the event, the Royal Household said. Infanta Pilar, the King’s sister, was also there.

Prince, Princess Greet New Pope

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia headed the Spanish delegation to Pope Francis’ inaugural mass today.

The Prince and Princess of Asturias sat with other European and world Royals during the ceremony in Vatican City.

Princess Letizia wore black because by protocol only Catholic Monarchs can wear white.

Queen Sofia wore white to the same event for now former Pope Benedict.

Anarchist Group Targets Crown

Police found an explosive device this week in a government office in Madrid, El País reported.

Infanta Elena hands out awards to youth leaders this week. © Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos — Infanta Elena hands out awards to youth leaders this week.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The newspaper reported that authorities have connected the explosive to another one found near the Royal Palace in February.

They blamed an anarchist group, which says it aims to target sites important to the “Bourbon Monarchy.” It pays homage to Mateo Morral, who tried to kill King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia.

Prince At Chavez Funeral

Prince Felipe arrived in Caracas, Venezuela today to lead the Spanish delegation to the funeral of President Hugo Chavez.

Prince Felipe sat near controversial figures during today’s events, including the President of Iran.

Several years ago, King Juan Carlos made news by telling Chavez to shut up during a conference. Both countries have worked to make amends.

Fire Strikes Clinic Where King Is Staying

Emergency workers reported an explosion and small fire in the clinic where King Juan Carlos is staying after a hernia operation.

The Royal Household said the incident this morning did not affect the King and ruled out any move.

Asked about his father’s condition, Prince Felipe said the King was doing well, media outlets reported.

Prince Felipe visiting an expansion project for the Madrid Metro, one of the world's largest. — Prince Felipe visiting an expansion project for the Madrid Metro, one of the world’s largest.

Also of interest, workers for Patrimonio Nacional, the agency that manages royal palaces and sites, are going on strike. However, the walkout should not affect the King’s staff at Zarzuela Palace.

And Spanish lawmakers are asking intelligence agency leaders about statements from King’s close German friend Corinna zu Sayn Wittgenstein that she helped the country in sensitive missions.

Royal Gathering

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia spent part of the weekend in The Netherlands with the heirs to other European thrones.

Present were the future monarchs of Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg and Sweden.