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.
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.
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.
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.
Aranjuez Royal 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.
Little is known outside of Spain about a force of about 2,000 service members from different branches of the Spanish Armed Forces, including the Armada, who are dedicated to protecting the King and foreign dignitaries.
They also participate in parades, motorcade transport, changing of the guard ceremonies while the King is at the Royal Palace and monthly displays.
Members of the Royal Guard have served in combat abroad.
Click here for video from the Royal Guard website.
Iñaki Urdangarin told a judge over the weekend that the neither the Royal Household nor his wife, Infanta Cristina, were involved in his controversial business dealings.
Urdangarin, who has been under investigation for corruption associated with a non-profit organization he once led, tried to distance the Royal Family from the scandal.
Urdangarin testified in Mallorca, where is has become persona non grata. Anti-monarchy protesters were outside the courtroom.
In a related matter, there is a growing split between the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and its Catalonian (PSC) counterpart. They are divided over a possible referendum on independence and, more recently, PSC chief Pere Navarro asking for the King’s abdication.
King Juan Carlos meets with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas today.
A small leftist party is asking the Royal Household to distance itself or confirm claims in El Mundo by German princess and King Juan Carlos confidante Corinna zu Sayn Wittgenstein that she tried to find Urdangarin a job and has helped Spain on sensitive missions.
Media reports indicate that prosecutors may ask a judge to include Infanta Cristina in their anti-corruption investigation involving her husband Iñaki Urdangarin.
Also, some politicians are re-opening the question of abdication, suggesting that King Juan Carlos make way for his son to take over as Head of State.
However, the Royal Household said there was no talk at all of abdication.
Prince Felipe leads a meeting on the economy at the Bank of Spain.
Today, Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, according to news reports, defended King Juan Carlos and the Monarchy as a uniting force in Spanish society.
She also dismissed efforts to include the Royal Household in new transparency legislation. She said it should remain autonomous from other agencies.
While the King has published budget and earnings information, the ruling conservative People’s Party says more open books would be unprecedented among major European Royal Houses.
Queen Sofia inaugurates new pharmaceutical facilities in Guadalajara.
Urdangarin is scheduled to testify again in the investigation this weekend.
Click here for a an Associated Press story on the Monarchy’s popularity troubles.
Click here for another story from the New York Times.
LOS BORBONES 