Members of the Spanish Royal Family were in Palma de Mallorca today for Easter services at the cathedral there.
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 Felipe and Queen Letizia were back in Barcelona today in response to this week’s terror attacks.
The King and Queen visited the injured in at least two Barcelona area hospitals.
They also signed a condolence book at Barcelona City Hall and left flowers at the scene of the incident.
Soon after the incident, the Royal Household sent out a tweet calling the attackers murderers and saying all of Spain was with Barcelona.
Members of the Spanish Royal Family returned to their traditional vacation spot of Palma de Mallorca late last month.
It’s somewhat of a working vacation because the King and Queen, and other relatives, must follow through with certain traditions.
King Felipe, for example, presided over the King’s Cup over the weekend, much like his father did before him.
The King, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia held their annual reception for authorities and leaders of the Balearic Islands.
Queen Letizia wowed with her dress, which harkens back to fabric that Spanish traders brought from Asia centuries ago.
Late last month, upon arriving in Mallorca, the King met with several officials, including the head of the Balearic Parliament.
The Royals hold their public meetings at Almudaina Palace, an old Arab fort that became a Spanish royal residence.
However, they have long stayed at Marivent Palace, which belongs to local authorities but is set aside for the family’s use.
Queen Sofia, who spends the most time in Mallorca, often with get grandchildren, is devoted to the place.
It’s unclear how King Felipe and Queen Letizia see Marivent and Mallorca, but continue the tradition, including an annual photo shoot and press meet-and-greet.
Several royals went out to dinner out on the town. King Juan Carlos, however, was spotted in Ireland and is unlikely to stop in Mallorca.
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.
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.
Kohl was a major booster of the European Union and Don Juan Carlos helped shepherd Spain joining the block.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
It’s the second time in recent days that King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia are seen together.
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 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.
Events have moved fast. Infanta Cristina was in Spain recently with the rest of her family for Prince Kardam’s funeral.
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.
Infanta Cristina is now living and working in Geneva. Her mother, Queen Sofia, serves as a bridge between family members.
Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish Crown, celebrated her first communion at school last week along with family.
Pictures of the actual ceremony have yet to emerge, but members of the Royal Family posed for the waiting press outside.
Present were King Felipe and Queen Letizia, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and Infanta Sofia, among others.
Separately, members of the Royal Family this weekend celebrated the first communion for the children of King Felipe’s cousin, the son of Infanta Pilar, King Juan Carlos’ sister.
Queen Letizia broke with Spanish Royal Family tradition during a flag ceremony for the Civil Guard in the Basque Country last week.
Her Majesty decided against wearing a more formal, black dress and mantilla on her hair as queens have done for such ceremonies, and as Queen Sofia did in the picture below.
Queen Letizia, instead, wore the same dress she wore for her proclamation.
Even though ardent monarchists have not been fond of the breaks in tradition, many Spaniards and media outlets welcome the changes.
Recently she and King Felipe dressed down to attend a Madrid scientific monologue contest, above, and the King celebrated Spanish victory in a basketball tournament, below.
Last week Queen Letizia surprised many royal watchers by wearing a new tiara, reportedly a years-old gift from King Felipe.
Her Majesty wore the tiara for the first time for Danish Queen Margrethe’s 75th birthday celebrations.
The new tiara, by Spanish jeweler Ansorena, is made of diamonds and pearls, and includes a Fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the House of Bourbon.
Many of the jewels associated with Spain’s Royal Family have been sold or lost over the years, amid war and political turmoil.
Still, beyond a crown and scepter used to symbolize the monarchy, some tiaras have remained. Plus, Queen Sofia incorporated some more from her families.
A bigger Fleur-delis tiara also from Ansorena was a gift from King Alfonso XIII to Queen Victoria Eugenia in the early 1900’s.
Both Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia have often worn a floral tiara that belonged to the Royal Family but left the family, according to reports.
Former Spanish dictator Franco bought it for Queen Sofia’s wedding to King Juan Carlos.
LOS BORBONES 