Queen Sofia Visits Bolivia; King Gets Rap

Queen Sofia has spent much of the week crisscrossing the South American nation of Bolivia, a source of immense mineral wealth for Spain during imperial times.

Queen Sofia with indigenous Bolivians and in local clothes.

Her Majesty met with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who thanked the Queen for Spain’s efforts at helping his country.

The two also signed an agreement aimed at resolving the controversy over the discovery of coins from a sunken Spanish ship. Spain went to court to obtain possession of the valuable treasure.

But because the coins were minted in the imperial mining city of Potosí, Spain will allow Bolivia to host its own display of the find.

Morales, known as one of Latin America’s most outspoken advocates of indigenous rights, greeted the Spanish Monarch with warmth.

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

During the trip, Queen Sofia visited development projects backed by Spain, including the Queen Sofia Foundation.

King’s gets a rap

Last week, young students visited King Juan Carlos to present projects depicting what the Monarchy means to them.

One of the students sand a rap for the King, which has become somewhat viral in Spain.

The contest was backed by the Spanish Institutional Foundation, a non-profit group which promotes the Monarchy among youth.

Politics Surrounds Hispanic Day

Politics and Spain’s tough economic situation surrounded the annual Fiesta Nacional in Madrid today.

The celebrations, including a military parade, cost a fraction of what it did in previous years in keeping with times of austerity.

© Casa S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

King Juan Carlos was seen chatting with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy during the parade. Media outlets are reporting that the King criticized the education minister’s comments in favor of making Catalonian children more Spanish.

Amid talks of independence in that autonomous community, Prince Felipe told journalists that he is not worried about Catalonia and that the Crown would continue its commitment to all Spaniards.

At the Royal Palace, however, King Juan Carlos joked with journalists instead of talking about the Catalonian situation.

Throne Room, Royal Palace.
© Casa S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Also of note, Infanta Elena was not with other members of the Royal Family during many of the ceremonies.

The Royal Household told media outlets that only the the King, Queen and the heirs to the throne would be included in the main stand from now on.

“The time had to come,” Infanta Elena told reporters. She will continue to represent the Royal Family at official events.

The Infantas have usually been close to their father during important events, but things have changed amid Infanta Cristina’s absence from the family’s public affairs because of her husband’s corruption probe.

Urdangarin Quits Telefónica Brasil

King Juan Carlos’ son-in-law, the Duke of Palma, Iñaki Urdangarín, has resigned from an advisory and leadership post at Telefónica Brasil, numerous media outlets are reporting.

Infranta Cristina’s husband is embroiled in a corruption probe, with prosecutors accusing him of using a non-profit he helped lead for private gain.

Earlier this year, Urdangarín announced he was taking a leave from his post at Spanish multinational Telefónica. As a result, the couple moved back to Spain full-time and left their Washington, D.C. area home.

The Duke and Duchess, which have not been participating in official events, are also not expected to be at the upcoming Hispanic Day activities.

Prince Felipe Takes To The Streets

Members of the Royal Family stunned crowds today by deploying at different locations around Madrid.

Queen Sofia, Princess Letizia and Infanta Elena helped take donations for the Spanish Red Cross at various points in the city.

Prince Felipe, in a move that wowed many observers, walked around Madrid visiting his relatives and making a contribution.

The so-called Day of Flags is a top fundraiser for the Spanish Red Cross.

Queen Sofia and her son Prince Felipe at the head table.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince and Princess Complete Successful Trip

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia completed another successful trip to Latin America last week, with stops in Panama and Ecuador.

Las Garzas Presidential Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

 

The Prince and Princess of Asturias met with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and his wife Marta Linares de Martinelli. They also attended a gathering of Spanish businesses in Panama.

Their Royal Highnesses highlighted the significant economic bonds between both countries, including Spanish firms participating in the expansion of the Panama Canal and a transit project.

At the Panama Canal zone.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Don Felipe and his wife then made their first visit together to Ecuador where the Prince met with President Rafael Correa.

Queen Visits Flood Victims

Queen Sofia met with emergency workers and victims of the recent floods in southern Spain last week.

Queen Sofia with the mayor of Villanueva del Rosario and other officials.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Places around Spain have had a tough year. First with heat, drought and fire, and more recently torrential rains and flooding.

The Queen visited parts of Andalucía and Murcia, including a helicopter ride. Comforting people affected by disaster is one of her top strengths.

Queen Sofia with children at Villanueva del Rosario.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Presidents Gather Amid Economic, Social Pressures

King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe of Asturias met with leaders of Spain’s autonomous communities at the Spanish Senate building today.

The meeting, of course also attended by Spanish government leaders, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, was especially important because of disagreements about the Spanish budget, funding for the country’s region’s and pro-independence rumblings in Catalonia.

Gathering in front of the Spanish Senate building in Madrid.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Elsewhere in Madrid, King Juan Carlos gave Nueva Economía Fórum awards to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Portuguese President Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, both on behalf of their respective countries.

The Fórum facilitates debate between social, business and political leaders. President Napolitano also met with the King at Zarzuela Palace.

King Juan Carlos at the head table.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia then rushed to the airport for their official visit to Panama. Their agenda includes a visit to the Panama Canal expansion project.

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

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Ecuador during their time in Latin America.

Newspaper Features King’s Troubles

The New York Times and its International Herald Tribune analyzed King Juan Carlos’ place in modern Spain and recent controversies relating to the Monarchy.

The feature contrasted pro-republican feelings, discomfort about the Royal Family’s unknown wealth, the controversial hunting trip to Botswana and the country’s economic troubles with the King’s role as Spain’s top booster.

The Monarch, for example, helped secure a multi-billion dollar high speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia.

The king is widely valued in business circles for acting as a sometime deal maker and economic ambassador for his nation, but how he has amassed his substantial personal wealth remains secret. The Spanish royal family’s wealth has been estimated at up to $2.3 billion, a sum that supporters contend was inflated by the inclusion of government properties.

King Juan Carlos inaugurating new port terminal in Barcelona. It was another chance to meet with Catalonian President Artur Mas.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King, who was recently in New York, stressed the need to promote Spanish trade as a means to improve the Spanish economy. He also spoke about his own role in the country’s future.

“The monarchy will continue as long as the people want a monarchy,” the king said on a swing through New York last week, part of a palace strategy to meet with top opinion makers to help promote confidence in Spain.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia in the Canary Islands.

But while the newspaper described the King as a non-ruling Monarch, it’s important to remember his role in public life, which in many ways goes beyond that of other European royals.

If they’re paying for a Monarchy, people in Spain want its members to do something other than ribbon cutting at events.

While Queen Elizabeth refrains from expressing an opinion about anything, King Juan Carlos, for example, penned a public letter recently expressing his views, albeit indirectly, about Catalonian calls for independence.

The Royal Palace has said such communications will become increasingly common.

Queen Sofia at the Royal Theater.

Click here to read the NYT story.

King Meets With Catalonian Leader

King Juan Carlos met with Catalonian President Artur Mas during the Monarch’s trip to Barcelona today.

It was a much anticipated — and in some quarters dreaded — meeting between both men. It comes amid Mas calling for early elections in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and fanning pro-independence flames.

King Juan Carlos with Mas sitting to his right.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King traveled to the Catalonian capital to hand out the Count of Barcelona award to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Count of Barcelona is one of King Juan Carlos’ titles.

His Majesty, who had already released an open letter calling for unity among all Spaniards, expressed optimism about the country’s economic future.

He called the economic and political situation “grave” but said Catalonians and all Spaniards “are capable of overcoming these circumstances.” He also spoke in catalán for good measure.

Earlier this week the King was in New York attending the annual meeting of former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative, where he met with other heads of state and world leaders.

King Juan Carlos speaks with former President Bill Clinton.

Meanwhile, members of the Royal Family have resumed a busy agenda. Today, for example, Queen Sofia attended a gathering of backers of the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid.

Queen Sofia at the museum.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

King Calls For Unity Amid Catalan Independence Rumblings

King Juan Carlos issued a short but stern call for unity today amid pro-independence suggestions by the leadership of the autonomous community of Catalonia.

The King recognized the tough economic and political conditions but said all Spaniards had to work together to secure the country’s social and democratic goals.

King Juan Carlos at the Palace of Justice, opening the judicial year.

“In these circumstances, the worse thing we can do is divide forces, promote divisions, follow illusions and deepen wounds,” His Majesty wrote in an open letter.

As expected, minority parties and the Catalonian leadership did not exactly welcome the letter. They stressed the importance of self determination and the search for new solutions to the country’s problems.