Royals Encourage Spanish Athletes; Denied Entry At Olympic Site

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia attended the 2012 Olympics closing ceremonies.

Queen Sofia greets Spanish basketball player Felipe Reyes.
© Agencia EFE

In the days leading up to yesterday’s festivities, the Prince and Princess of Asturias joined Queen Sofia in visiting Spanish athletes, touring the campus and speaking with journalists.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia at the media center.
© Comité Olímpico Español

In an embarrassing moment that is making worldwide news, Olympics staff members refused the Royal Family entry to a restricted section at one of the venues. They wanted to greet Nico Garcia for a silver medal in Taekwondo.

© Agencia EFE

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Media reports indicate that while staffers appeared rude to Her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses, the Borbones took it all in stride.

Prosecutors Ready Urdangarin Corruption Report

Balearic Island anti-corruption prosecutors will present their findings next month related to corruption allegations against Infanta Cristina’s husband Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, according to El País.

Officials allege that the Duke and his business partner embezzled public funds through their Nóos Institute, a non-profit group.

Last month local media reported that Urdangarin had signed a new work contract with Spanish multinational Telefónica. He will receive almost 3 million euro in compensation.

Bullfight Marks Constitutional Anniversary

King Juan Carlos attended a bullfight last week to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1812 Constitution, Spain’s first attempt at Democratic government.

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

Don Juan Carlos traveled to the Port of Santa María in Cádiz for the bullfight. The region will play host to the 22nd Ibero-American Summit later this year.

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

The Cádiz Cortes, whose lawmakers wrote the 1812 Constitution, met in the southwestern Spain community during the Napoleonic Wars.

Royals Hold Annual Dinner

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia hosted their annual dinner this evening with Balearic Island leaders.

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

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were also on hand to greet a variety of guests. The gathering at Almudaina Palaca coincides with the Royal Family’s vacation in Palma de Mallorca.

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

The Prince and Princess of Asturias are scheduled to attend the closing of the London Olympics later this month.

Unions Press King on Cuts

The leaders of Spain’s two main labor unions — the Unión General de Trabajadores and Comisiones Obreras — met with King Juan Carlos today amid the nation’s ongoing economic turmoil.

Meeting at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The leaders expressed their opposition to a recent flurry of budget cuts, which they say are hurting workers and the needy.

The King has spoken in favor of European cooperation and integration. However, he has stressed the need for a balanced approach to dealing with the debt crisis.

The labor leaders expressed their discomfort with further EU intervention in Spain’s economy, which may come with painful strings attached.

Royals Enjoy Balearic Stroll

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia and their daughters, Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofia, took a public outing yesterday during their vacations in Mallorca.

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

The family took the train from Palma de Mallorca to the Port of Sóller, a major tourist attraction in the Balearic Islands.

Walking in the Port of Sóller.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

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The magazine also showcased the Duchess of Alba’s first swim during her own vacations in nearby Ibiza. The Duchess is the woman with the most titles of nobility in the world.

King Meets with Monti; Queen on Vacation

King Juan Carlos welcomed Italian Premier Mario Monti at Zarzuela Palace today.

King Juan Carlos with Prime Minister Monti at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Monti stopped in Spain as part of a tour of several European countries. He’s seeking solidarity for measures to beef up the troubled Euro currency.

Spain and Italy are among the countries that are most under pressure from financial markets.

Meanwhile, Queen Sofia and other members of the Royal Family have been in Palma de Mallorca on vacation.

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Updated: Royalty Arrives At Olympics

Queen Sofia rose to her feet and waved at Spanish athletes during the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics.

Queen Sofia at Buckingham Palace.
© Agencia EFE

Queen Sofia attended a reception with Queen Elizabeth II, a distant relative, at Buckingham Palace before heading to the Olympic Stadium.

She also inaugurated the opening of the Spanish House for the events.

Queen Sofia with Spanish Sports Minister José Ignacio Wert and Madrid Mayor Ana Botella
© Agencia EFE

Yesterday, the Queen presided over a reception at the Spanish Embassy in London, where she was accompanied by King Juan Carlos’ sister, Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz.

© Agencia EFE

Olympic Sendoff

King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and other members of the Royal Family hosted several members of the Spanish Olympic delegation before their departure for London.

Group at El Pardo Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King recalled the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the strength of Spanish teams.

During a speech at El Pardo Palace near his own residence at Zarzuela, King Juan Carlos told the athletes that qualifying alone was a great accomplishment.

“Yours is a great responsibility and I am sure you will rise to it,” said His Majesty.

Members of the Royal Family are wrapping up their official agenda before heading to Marivent Palace in Mallorca for vacations.

Prince Felipe with European foreign ministers in the Almudaina Palace in Mallorca last week.

Even though other commitments kept the family away from the King’s Cup regatta in Mallorca, which was held earlier than usual this year because of the Olympics, Prince Felipe’s presence at the awards ceremony added a sense of normalcy to the event, Hola noted.

Prince Felipe with Balearic Island President José Ramón Bauzá Díaz last week.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos