Tag: Spain

King’s Inviolability Invoked

An important story about the Spanish Royal family has begun trickling into the international media. The story is important not because of its gossip value but because of its constitutional lessons.

Two Spanish courts have rejected claims from two people saying the are illegitimate children of King Juan Carlos. The Telegraph wrote this about Alberto Sola Jimenez from Catalonia and Ingrid Sartiau from Belgium:

In an interview earlier this year she said: “My mother told me who my father was while we were watching television. An image of King Juan Carlos flashed up and she said: ‘That man’s your father.'”

The pair met for the first time in June when they underwent DNA tests that show there is a 91 per cent chance that they have one parent in common.

However, the courts rejected their claims because the Spanish Constitution makes clear that the person of the King is “inviolable.”

King Juan Carlos receives new ambassadors at Royal Palace in Madrid.

The Royal Household has remained silent about the story, which has appeared in El Mundo and El Huffington Post, but has not been prevalent in many mainstream media outlets.

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.

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

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

Crown Debuts New Website, Media Presence

The Spanish Royal Household has overhauled its website, getting rid of an outdated series of pages for a more sleek and modern look.

The new website is not only an effort to update the Royal Palace’s internet presence, but also reach out to many Spaniards who have expressed skepticism about the Monarchy, especially young people who may not be as aware of King Juan Carlos’ role in the transition to democracy.

The new site includes new pictures of the Royal Family, information about the Crown’s role in Spanish government and society, and videos of pivotal moments in history.

King Juan Carlos, Prince Felipe and Infanta Leonor, who could someday become Queen.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prominent are pictures and videos of the King and Prince Felipe swearing allegiance to the Spanish Constitution. The King’s 1981 message to the country amid a coup attempt is also included.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, and daughters in their home near Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Cristina García Rodero

Charismatic and tender Queen Sofia has often been a powerful weapon for the Monarchy. Now they’re also deploying Princess Letizia. The website includes a photo spread focusing on the Princess by award-winning photographer Cristina García Rodero.

Time To Create Jobs, King Says

King Juan Carlos met with a variety of Spanish business leaders today to discuss ways of improving the economic situation, promoting competitiveness and reducing sky-high unemployment.

Leaders present included executives of Spanish multinational firms Repsol, Inditex, BBVA and Iberdrola, among others. They met at Telefónica offices in Madrid.

King Juan Carlos with Spanish business leaders.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The group, which has been referred to a “think tank” of sorts, was formed last year amid the economic meltdown. The King has urged business leaders to do all they can to promote job creation.

Urdangarin Returns To Spain Amid Corruption Probe

Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma de Mallorca, has announced that he is taking a leave from his post at Spanish multinational Telefónica.

The Duke, husband of the King’s youngest daughter, the Infanta Cristina, is returning to Barcelona from his post in the Washington, D.C. area.

Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma.

Facing corruption allegations stemming from his work with the non-profit Noos Institute, media reports say Urdangarin wants to be in Spain to defend himself and wants to protect his employer from any controversy.

Anti-Urdangarin poster by Basque left-wing group.
Credit: Joxemai

News reports from last month indicated that Urdangarin signed a new work contract with Telefónica. He was set to receive almost 3 million euro in compensation.

Prosecutors say the Duke and an associate funneled public funds for personal gain. They are also accused of document fraud.

The Duke denies wrongdoing and the Royal Household has stressed that King Juan Carlos urged his son-in-law to stay away from lucrative business dealings.

Media reports say Urdangarin, his wife and their children will move to a more modest home in the Barcelona area and abandon their current residence in the posh neighborhood of Pedralbes.

Read more in El Pais.
Read more in Hola.

Thin Summer Agenda

The Spanish Royal family is enjoying some down time during the summer vacation period.

Infanta Elena will be in London in the coming days for the Paralympic games, the Royal Household said. She is honorary head of Spain’s Paralympic Committee.

 

Her Royal Highness speaking at the Spanish embassy in London.

Last week King Juan Carlos visited an emergency command center in Madrid.

Group picture at 112 Emergency Response Center.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Also on the agenda was a meeting with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Zarzuela Palace, where the economy was one of the topics of discussion.

King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos