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.
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.
