Tension In Mallorca Over King Juan Carlos

Members of the Spanish Royal Family and the King’s broader family are vacationing in Mallorca as is customary.

But King Juan Carlos is absent. The Royal Household blames a minor health issue. But media outlets point to leaked recordings from Don Juan Carlos’ former friend, alleging potential financial irregularities.

Not only has King Felipe’s father stayed away from the summer spotlight, he recently scrapped plans to participate in a regatta in Galicia, according to media outlets.

20140401_toison_enrique_iglesias_04 — King Juan Carlos. © Agencia EFE

King Felipe, who received Balearic Island leaders at Almudaina Palace in the heart of Palma de Mallorca, touched on the issue.

Don Felipe said his father was not in great shape and wanted to sail this month.

Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia were seen strolling with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.

Back in Madrid, the Supreme Court and parliament are both looking at the recordings. There does seem to be an effort to keep King Juan Carlos away from any further embarassment if possible.

Corinna Is Back

Several Spanish news outlets have in recent days released leaked recordings from a German aristocrat who was friends with King Juan Carlos.

Corinna Larsen Adkins, also known as Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, has for years caused controversy in Spain and helped lead to Don Juan Carlos’ abdication.

Now, recordings from 2015 leaked by a disgraced businessman and former commissar, suggest the King used her as a figurehead for properties.

Leftist parties have called for an investigation of King Juan Carlos, but so far major parties and news outlets have given the issue scant or no attention.

The recordings also suggest Don Juan Carlos may have had money or properties hidden abroad, and may have taken advantage of an amnesty with tax authorities.

Royals Celebrate Easter

Members of the Spanish Royal Family were in Palma de Mallorca today for Easter services at the cathedral there.

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It’s the first time in several years that King Juan Carlos, who turned 80 earlier this year, attended the services.

In the coming days, the family will commemorate the anniversary of the death of Infante Juan, Don Juan Carlos’ father.

King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia Honor Helmut Kohl

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were in the European Parliament over the weekend honoring late German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a towering figure in the continent.

reyes_juancarlos_sofia_helmut_kohl_20170701_01 — Their Majesties arriving in the European Parliament. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The Spanish Royal Household has increasingly used King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s parents, as emissaries to important events. Both are close to numerous world leaders.

reyes_juancarlos_sofia_helmut_kohl_20170701_14 — The King and Queen sitting behind former U.S. President Bill Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and new French President Emmanuel Macron. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Kohl was a major booster of the European Union and Don Juan Carlos helped shepherd Spain joining the block.

King Juan Carlos Left Out Of Top Event

The Royal Household excluded King Juan Carlos from an event at the Spanish Congress to commemorate the country’s transition to Democracy, according to several media outlets.

40_aniversario_elecciones_generales_20170628_10 — King Felipe and Queen Letizia with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, to the right, and Congress Speaker Ana Pastor, in blue. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Juan Carlos, King Felipe’s father, helped steer Spain from dictatorship to Democracy.

But, according to media outlets, the Royal Household thought it was out of protocol for Don Juan Carlos to attend the ceremonies.

Su Majestad el Rey durante su intervención — King Felipe during remarks a the Congress of Deputies Chamber. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Media outlets reported that the elder King expressed his dismay about the snub to friends.

The King And The Bulls

King Felipe won praise but also skepticism earlier this month when he attended a charity bullfight in Madrid.

Aside from people who oppose the activity, aficionados wondered whether the King — who got a standing ovation — really stands with them.

rey_corrida_beneficencia_20170616_01 — King Felipe at the famed Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Don Felipe has not been as keen on attending bullfights compared to his father, King Juan Carlos, and his sister, Infanta Elena.

Both of them were helping open a new winery in the Basque Country during the Madrid bullfight.

rey_juan_carlos_bodega_macan_20170616_07 — King Juan Carlos and Infanta Elena. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Conventional wisdom says Queen Letizia is not partial to bullfighting. Neither is Queen Sofia, an animal rights advocate.

The late Duchess of Alba was also an animal rights advocate, but an ardent supporter of bullfighting as a Spanish tradition.

King Juan Carlos In Cuba For Castro Funeral

King Juan Carlos is in Cuba this week to attend funeral services for former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Spain has long had ties with its former colony and, now that the island is becoming more open, Spain wants to secure its position there.

Don Juan Carlos has been a point-person for King Felipe in Latin America. Don Felipe used to be that point-person when he was Prince of Asturias.

rey_juan_carlos_cuba_20161129_02 — King Juan Carlos with Cuban President Raúl Castro. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Felipe, meanwhile, has spent recent days on a state visit to Portugal, a key Spanish ally.

reyes_portugal_20161128_29 — The King and Queen have dinner with the Portuguese president. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have made several stops in the country and met with several local and national leaders.

reyes_portugal_20161130_26 — The King and Queen before Don Felipe addresses the Portuguese Assembly. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Tomorrow the King is scheduled to meet with the president of the European Commission in Madrid.

“Franco Took My Hand”

A French documentary about the life and times of King Juan Carlos is making news in Spain.

Of particular interest has been an anecdote concerning former Spanish Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

Don Juan Carlos, who succeeded Franco, said the dictator took his hand before death and made him promise to ensure Spanish unity.

4-Proclamacion_19761122 — King Juan Carlos taking oath of office in 1976. © EFE

Even though King Juan Carlos succeeded Franco, he took advantage of the dictator’s death to re-establish democracy in Spain.

Spanish public television giant TVE helped produce the documentary but is not airing it in the country, calling it out of date.

Sin título-3.jpg — King Juan Carlos speaking during the 1991 Ibero-American summit. © EFE

Don Juan Carlos abdicated the Spanish throne in favor of his son, King Felipe, who has now been head of state for more than a year.

Queen: “It’s Difficult To Smile Today.”

Queen Letizia addressed the recent terrorist attacks in Paris during a speech in Madrid today.

“Mother Teresa used to say that peace began with a smile,” said the Queen.

“It’s difficult to smile today but we will do it. It’s the first step for everything.”

francia_embajada_reyes_20151114_02 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Earlier this weekend King Felipe and Queen Letizia signed a condolence book at the French Embassy in Madrid.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia also stopped to pay their respects.

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It’s the second time in recent days that King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia are seen together.

King Strips Sister Of Title

King Felipe last week stripped his sister Infanta Cristina of her Duchess of Palma title because of the corruption scandal embroiling her and her husband.

King Felipe arriving at the Royal Cavalry Armory in Seville. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Juan Carlos made infanta Cristina a duchess when she married Iñaki Urdangarin. But authorities accuse Urdangarin of using a non-profit company for personal gain. And the Infanta has stood by her husband.

The Royal Household under Don Juan Carlos had already stripped the couple of royal duties and had urged Infanta Cristina to renounce her dynastic rights. She has refused.

Inaki-Urdangarin-infanta-Cristina — Infanta Cristina and her husband.

Events have moved fast. Infanta Cristina was in Spain recently with the rest of her family for Prince Kardam’s funeral.

King Juan Carlos during an international business promotion meeting in Madrid. © Casa de S.M. el Rey — King Juan Carlos during an international business promotion meeting in Madrid.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey

However, now the dispute is over whether the King stripped Infanta Cristina of her title or she resigned it. She sent him a letter doing so at around the same time.

Queen Sofia heading a meeting on mental health. © Casa de S.M. el Rey — Queen Sofia heading a meeting on mental health.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Infanta Cristina is now living and working in Geneva. Her mother, Queen Sofia, serves as a bridge between family members.