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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Infanta Elena, King Felipe’s sister, was the Royal Family’s representative to the Duchess of Alba’s funeral in Seville.
Infanta Elena with the Duchess of Alba’s son and widower.
The Duchess, the woman with the most titles of nobility on Earth, died this week after health complications.
Members of the Royal Family sent their condolences immediately after her death.
The Duchess, as a Spanish Grandee, had a special status with members of the Royal Family, at least when protocol was concerned.
The King, for example, has traditionally called grandees “cousin.” The Duchess also had the privilege of entering the Seville Cathedral on horseback.
It is fitting for the Royal Household to have picked Infanta Elena to attend the funeral. She got married in Seville and is known to embrace the city’s traditions.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with their young daughters Princess Leonor of Asturias and Infanta Sofia, then headed over to the Congress Palace.
Also there were Queen Sofia, Infanta Elena and other members of the King’s Family. King Juan Carlos did not attend the proclamation to not overshadow his son.
Parliamentarians cheered the traditional “Viva España, Viva El Rey!”
The King swore to uphold the Spanish constitution, spoke in favor of human rights and democracy, and offered a strong defense of the Monarchy.
“The independence of the Crown, its political neutrality and its search for unity amid ideological differences, allow it to contribute to the stability of our political system,” the King said.
The King also alluded to ongoing nationalist and separatist rumblings in certain communities. “Unity is not uniformity,” he said, in an effort to honor Spain’s diversity.
“In a Spain that is united and diverse, based on the equality of all Spaniards, and the solidarity among its different communities and respect for the rule of law, we all fit,” said the new King.
Don Felipe said improving Spain’s economic situation was paramount, and stressed the need for Spain to be a leader in promoting a strong and united Europe.
U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement of congratulations this morning.
“I look forward to working closely with King Felipe VI and continuing to strengthen this bond in the years to come. As Spain celebrates this transition and looks ahead to the future, the American people celebrate along with the people of Spain,” he said.
King Felipe is adopting a Royal Standard slightly different from his father’s. It lacks the Cross of Burgundy and the background is maroon.
King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe made a joint appearance today after the King’s abdication announcement yesterday.
Don Juan Carlos and Don Felipe presided over a military ceremony at El Escorial palace complex in the outskirts of Madrid.
Prince Felipe, who was recently in El Salvador for the new president’s swearing-in, is expected to be proclaimed King by the Cortes Generales later this month.
Today Queen Sofia, who was having meetings at the United Nations in New York, when asked about her husband’s abdication said things would continue as usual after the transfer of power.
Of course, there will be major changes.
Media reports indicate that Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina will no longer be members of the Royal Family as they are now.
They will instead be part of the King’s Family and keep their titles of nobility.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will remain part of the Royal Family as former Monarchs, but Don Juan Carlos will lose his legal inviolability.
The Royal Household also released a series of statistics about Their Royal Highnessess as Prince and Princess of Asturias, and heirs to the Spanish throne.
The couple has made more than 70 foreign trips to 38 countries. They have hosted more than 1,500 official events together, with Princess Letizia hosting 190 by herself.
The Prince and Princess have also received more than 7,000 people together during audiences.
LOS BORBONES 