King Felipe VI has decided that political appointees can be sworn in without a Bible and crucifix, as has has been long-standing tradition, media outlets are reporting.

King Felipe has decided that the Bible and crucifix are optional, as a way of promotion freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution.

Don Felipe’s recent proclamation as King was different from his father’s in that it didn’t include a crucifix.

Former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, a fierce Catholic, used to display large crucifixes for events.

It has been a busy week for King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

It started with a short but whirlwind trip to Portugal, which included visits with the country’s leaders and civil society.

This week King Felipe attended the wake for Spanish soccer legend Alfredo Di Stéfano Laulhe at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium. Queen Letizia, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia also sent their condolences.

The King also attended military and institutional ceremonies this week.

Tomorrow the King will host a meeting of Spain’s National Security Council at Zarzuela Palace, the first of his reign.

Even though most of the attention has been on the new Monarchs, Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s mother, made an appearance at the Valencia Nautical Club this week. It was not on the Royal Household’s official agenda.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia this week were in Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis.

The trip was part of the new Monarchs’ ongoing effort to meet with world leaders.

Even though Spain has strong secular institutions, the Monarchy retains the tradition of closeness to Catholic leaders.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia will next week make a trip to Portugal.

King Felipe promised to be more present in Catalonia amid that region’s ongoing flirtation with independence.

Today King Felipe and Queen Letizia attended the Prince of Girona Foundation awards ceremony in that Catalan community.

He said he wanted to make the Crown “more present in this land” and once again highlighted his commitment to “our Parliamentary Monarchy.”

The King’s daughter, Princess Leonor is the current Princess of Asturias and of Girona.

Queen Letizia appeared with a short hairdo today, but it appears to be the faux bob she’s worn before.

Separately, this week Spain’s armed forces saluted their new chief during a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

King Felipe has named Jaime Alfonsín Alfonso as Chief of the Royal Household, and is adding a diplomatic aide post. He is also making sure his parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, keep some staff at their disposal.

King Felipe’s efforts at restoring the Crown’s standing with the Spanish public came as a Balearic Islands judge decided to try his sister, Infanta Cristina, on corruption related charges connected with her husband’s business dealings.

Prosecutors disagree with the judge and are continuing to fight his decision to include the Infanta in the proceedings.

King Felipe began his reign last Friday, one day after his proclamation, with a meeting at Zarzuela Palace with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Regular meetings between the Monarch and the head of government are a common part of Spanish political life.

He then presided over a gathering to honor victims of terrorism.

Yesterday Queen Letizia attended an exposition at El Prado Museum in Madrid.

Meeting with gay rights groups

Their Majesties made the most news today when they met with numerous representatives of Spanish civil society groups, including gay rights organizations.

Media reports say it is the first meeting between Spanish Monarchs and gay rights advocates. The country is known as one of the world’s most liberal on the issue.

Spain is on the verge of having a new King.

Today King Juan Carlos signed legislation to make his own abdication official effective at midnight Spanish time.

King Felipe VI will be Spain’s second head of state since the death of General Franco.

This is a historic moment for Spain. The country is seeing the first peaceful transfer of royal power in modern history.

Spanish media outlets are reporting that security forces are beefing up their anti-terrorism stance in advance of King Felipe VI’s proclamation on June 19th.

As workers prepare the Congress of Deputies building for the event, security forces are mulling whether the new King should ride an open or closed car.

It appears that Don Felipe wants an open top, especially on his ride from the Congress to the Royal Palace.

Media outlets are also reporting that King Juan Carlos will not attend the proclamation to not upstage his son.

Infanta Cristina and her husband, embroiled in a corruption scandal, will also not be attending.

A majority of Spaniards supports a referendum on whether the country should remain a monarchy of become, once again, a republic, El País newspaper is reporting.

The news comes as Prince Felipe prepared to become King Felipe VI.

The newspaper also found that while most Spaniards support King Juan Carlos’ abdication, only 36 percent want an elected president.

Roughly 50 percent of respondents expressed support for a Monarchy under Felipe VI.

Support for the Monarchy is strongest among right-of-center voters. Socialists are divided, even though party leaders back the Monarchy.

The newspaper’s president wrote that people’s desire for more democracy and transparency was not necessarily linked to whether the country had an elected or hereditary head of state.

Numerous Spanish leaders agree with the need to reform the Constitution to address political challenges, including separatist sentiments in Catalonia and the Basque Country.

There is less elite support, however, for submitting the Crown to referendum.