Monarchy Now In Crisis

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.

King Juan Carlos scheduled to return to the hospital soon for hernia operation.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

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.

King May Soon Be Back In Hospital

King Juan Carlos may have to return to the hospital for yet another operation, potentially the latest in numerous procedures in the past several years.

After a series of routine tests, Royal Household medical chief Miguel Fernández Tapia-Ruano said His Majesty’s condition was “satisfactory.”

However, the King will undergo further tests to asses the severity of an old hernia and, as a result, will scale back his schedule this week.

A press released said doctors would determine “the most adequate treatment.” The hernia may be keeping him from walking upright, media reports said.

Meanwhile, other members of the Royal Family are continuing their full schedule.

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

Today Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia handed out the National Awards for Culture at the Pardo Palace in the outskirts of Madrid.

Emails, Testomony Put Royal Household On Defensive

Emails and new sworn testimony by Diego Torres, the former business associate of King Juan Carlos’ son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin, is once again putting the Royal Family on the defensive, according to several media reports.

Torres says King Juan Carlos and his daughter Infanta Cristina, knew about Urdangarin’s business dealings, which are not the subject of a high profile corruption investigation.

Basque poster showing disdain for Urdangarin and King Juan Carlos.

While Urdangarin denies any wrongdoing blames Torres for any irregularities, especially with heir non-profit Nóos Institute, Torres is trying to turn the tables.

Like Infanta Cristina and Infanta Elena’s secretary, royal legal adviser José Manuel Romero, Count of Fontao, is denying claims that he was also involved in Urdangarin’s business web.

Instead Romero says that he advised that it was not accurate to call the Nóos Institute a non-profit. The Royal Household eventually told Urdangarin to distance himself from questionable schemes.

Emails also show that German noble Corinna Sayn-Wittgenstein, a close friend of King Juan Carlos, tried to help Urdangarin land a well-paid job.

Click here for coverage from El País.

Click here for coverage from Hola.

News Roundup

Today King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia lunched with Guatemalan President Otto Fernando Pérez Molina and his wife at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

President Pérez Molina also visited the King at Zarzuela Palace.

© Casa de Su Majestad el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Yesterday King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe met with former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, Ibero-American Secretary General Enrique Iglesias and former Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa Cantellano.

They spoke about improving the regular Ibero-American summits.

Earlier this week King Juan Carlos presided over the Basketball King’s Cup held in the Basque Country, where the Barcelona team emerged victorious.

Urdangarin Drama Intensifies

A new book by reporters for Spanish newspaper El Mundo is shedding some light into events that supposedly led to the ongoing corruption investigation against the King’s son-in law Iñaki Urdangarín.

The tome says that Urdangarin saw himself in financial trouble after buying what is often called a small palace in the exclusive Pedralbes area of Barcelona.

The book says that King Juan Carlos was upset at Urdangarin’s previous living arrangements with Infanta Cristina. Don Juan Carlos, it says, said his daughter was used to living in a palace and not a small apartment.

Also included is a story about Prince Felipe getting into an argument with Urdangarin over money. The reporters say the Prince was unhappy with his brother-in-law asking for help to pay for his expenses.

Adding to the drama, the book says that Urdangarin blamed Princess Letizia, a former journalist, for orchestrating at least some of his public troubles.

The Royal Household maintains that it told Urdangarin to give up his business dealings years ago.

Urdangarin Fails To Make Bail

Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma and King Juan Carlos’ son-in-law, may have properties embargoed after failing to pay his part of 8.2 million in bail connected to the corruption investigation against him.

With the situation deteriorating, the community of Palma De Mallorca removed street signs in honor of the Duke and his wife, Infanta Cristina.

Meanwhile, other members of the Royal Family are working to continue their duties and show their worth to the Spanish people.

King Juan Carlos has been meeting with delegations at Zarzuela Palace. He also welcomed new ambassadors this week at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Queen Sofia paid a visit to the National Center for Biotechnology this week, as well.

And Prince Felipe officially retired the Prince of Asturias aircraft carrier.

King Meets With Now Separatist Leader

King Juan Carlos met this week with Catalonian President Artur Mas, who is pursuing a referendum on whether to declare independence from Spain.

Little news came of the highly anticipated meeting, where Mas was to present the King with his plans. Don Juan Carlos has spoken out against pro-sovereignty moves.

Media sources noted that the King was serious when receiving the autonomic leader. The two spoke for about 45 minutes.

Prince Felipe Turns 45

Prince Felipe de Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne, turned 45 today. Members of the Royal Family will celebrate in private.

Don Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia made a public appearance today at the International Tourism Trade Fair happening in Madrid this week.

Hola published a series of pictures of the Prince’s life to commemorate the birthday.

El País published an essay about the Prince’s role over the weekend.

8.2 Million Euro Bail For Urdangarin, Partner

A Balearic Islands anti-corruption judge has imposed an 8.2 million euro bail for King Juan Carlos’ son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma de Mallorca, and a former business partner.

Authorities are investigating the two for using their Noós Institute non-profit to steal public funds.

The New York Times noted that it was the first member of the Spanish Royal Family to appear in court in modern history.

The anti-corruption judge has also subpoenaed Carlos García Revenga, secretary to Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, Urdangarin’s wife. He has strongly denied wrongdoing and remains employed with the Royal Household.

Queen Sofia welcomes a new member to the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.

King Juan Carlos, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia have severely distanced themselves from their in-law. There are also reports of concern among the Spanish nobility.

Prince Celebrates Spain

Prince Felipe celebrated Spain’s win this weekend at the Men’s World Handball Championship, where the team took on Denmark at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi.

Danish Princess Mary Donaldson joined the Prince during the game.

The Danish Royal Family has ties to the Spanish Royal Family, particularly through Queen Sofia, officially Queen Sofia of Greece and Denmark.