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.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo is wondering what Queen Sofia has been doing in recent months.
Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s mother, has not participated in an official event for months, and has not been seen around Zarzuela Palace.
Sources tell the newspaper she has been spending time with a close circle of family and friends, including her brother deposed Greek King Constantine and cousin Tatiana Radziwill.
Queen Sofia may also be helping take care of grandchildren, including while Infanta Cristina is on trial for corruption allegations tied to her husband.
The newspaper contrasted Queen Sofia’s low-key life to her husband King Juan Carlos’ more lavish semi-retirement.
Don Juan Carlos said in a new French documentary that he saw his wife at funerals, weddings and baptisms.
Sources speculate Queen Sofia remains disturbed by her husband’s behavior and by her daughter’s legal troubles.
His Majesty has been meeting with the heads of each parliamentary formation, except for some anti-monarchist regional nationalist parties.
While making it known he sees the formation of a new government difficult and pressing dialogue, the King is refraining from acting in a way that even appears to violate popular will.
Catalan nationalists are criticizing King Felipe for what they see as lack of political neutrality.
His Majesty refused to receive the new head of the Catalan Parliament, who wanted to personally transmit word of a new regional president after months of stalemate, media outlets reported.
Catalan nationalists, who are leading an independence movement from Spain, have also complained about the government’s lack of formal appreciation for the outgoing regional president.
King Felipe is leading a Spain through political turmoil, with national parties still unable to form a government and Catalan leaders insisting on independence.
Don Felipe took another chance to promote the rule of law and coexistence during military ceremonies last week.
“Guaranteeing liberty and the rights of citizens is a demand and responsibility of a country under the rule of law,” Don Felipe said at the annual Pascua Militar at the Madrid Royal Palace.
The Pascua Militar, which literally translates to Military Easter, dates to the 1700’s, when Spanish troops kicked our British forces from the island of Menorca.
Their Majesties listen to remarks at the Madrid Royal Palace Throne Room.
Beyond ongoing political challenges, members of the Spanish Royal Family are monitoring the corruption trial of Infanta Cristina and her husband.
Prosecutors accuse him and associates of using public funds for personal gain. Media outlets say the Infanta is preparing herself emotionally to visit her husband in prison.
King Felipe called for dialogue and unity during his much anticipated Christmas Eve speech.
The message came in the wake of national elections, where no party won enough votes to form a government.
Talks are ongoing over potential coalitions. The outcome could be pivotal because of Spain’s ongoing economic, social and political challenges.
“Today’s Spain is very different to the Spain of earlier centuries, thanks to the real and generous willingness to compromise of all its people, their sincere spirit of reconciliation and overcoming our historic differences, and the commitment of the political and social forces to serving all the people and the general interests of the nation, which must always be paramount,” said the King.
The King’s speech was the first ever at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the Crown’s official seat.
Don Felipe said he wanted to express Spain’s greatness with dignity and solemnity.
He also wanted to use the historic structure to highlight the country’s history and call for unity amid a secession movement in Catalonia.
“I sincerely believe that we are living in times when more than ever, we need to recognize in ourselves everything which unites us,” the King said. “We need to see the worth in what we have built together over the years with many great sacrifices, generosity and enormous dedication.”
With no clear coalition emerging, Don Felipe has the constitutional power to help mediate the situation. He will soon meet with leaders of the different parties.
The uncertainty has also elevated interest for the King’s traditional Christmas Eve speech.
His Majesty will deliver the recorded speech from the Throne Room at the Madrid Royal Palace for the first time ever, rather than at the Zarzuela Palace complex where the royals live.
LOS BORBONES 