Well, well. This is interesting. While I mostly focus on the British royal family and sometimes the Swedish royal family and the Grimaldis of Monaco, it really does seem like the Spanish royal family has a great deal of drama. I should have been paying more attention! Today, Monday June 2nd, King Juan Carlos of Spain has announced his planned abdication. King Juan Carlos has sat on the Spanish throne since 1975, after the death of General Francisco Franco. King Juan Carlos won’t be officially stepping down until next January, which will be his 76th birthday. The King’s successor will be his oldest son, Prince Felipe. Felipe is married to the “controversial” Princess Letizia, whom I actually really like (she’s stylish and truly modern, plus she’s a workhorse).
King Juan Carlos of Spain is abdicating in favor of Crown Prince Felipe, his 46-year-old son, saying in an address to the nation on Monday that it was time for a new generation to confront the nation’s challenges. The king’s abdication, after almost four decades on the throne, follows health problems but also comes amid a decline in his popularity, particularly as a result of a corruption scandal centering on his son-in-law that has also put the spotlight on the royal family’s lifestyle and finances at a time of economic crisis and record joblessness.
The king, 76, announced his abdication in a letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who then made the decision public in a short televised address early Monday, during which he called King Juan Carlos “a tireless defender of our interests.” Mr. Rajoy added that the abdication process would take place “in a context of institutional stability and as proof of the maturity of our democracy.”
In a separate statement later Monday to detail the reasons for handing over the crown, King Juan Carlos said he resolved to abdicate in January when he turned 76.
“Today a new generation must be at the forefront,” he said. He added that “young people with new energies” should “undertake the reforms that the present juncture demands of us.”
Juan Carlos came to the throne in 1975, after the death of Gen. Francisco Franco. He was credited with playing a key role in consolidating Spain’s return to democracy, particularly when he helped avert a military coup in 1981. He has also been cast as providing stability in a land confronting separatist efforts in the Basque region and in Catalonia.
The king’s reputation has been tainted by questions around the spending habits of his 48-year-old daughter, Princess Cristina, and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, after a judge opened a corruption investigation.
The king’s son, Prince Felipe, is a former Olympic yachtsman who is regarded as relatively untouched by his family’s scandals. In May 2004, he married Letizia Ortiz, a divorced television journalist. Tens of thousands of spectators cheered them in the rain outside the Almudena Cathedral, but the ceremonies were overshadowed for some Spaniards by the memory of commuter train bombings two months earlier that had claimed 192 lives.
Mr. Rajoy said that the Spanish Constitution would be amended to permit the king to abdicate.
“His Majesty, King Juan Carlos, has just communicated to me his will to give up the throne,” Mr. Rajoy said. “I’m convinced this is the best moment for change.”
The 2008 financial crisis was particularly bad for Spain, and they have widespread unemployment and economic stagnation. Which makes it really difficult to justify spending so much money on the royal family’s upkeep. I think this is a smart move for King Juan Carlos, although I’m not entirely sure that Prince Felipe is ready to take the reins. I think Prince Felipe will probably do more for transparency within the royal family, but the dye might have already been cast for many Spanish citizens.
Do you think Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is weeping into his beer today? Queen Elizabeth will never abdicate. NEVER. Not even when her diamonds are literally too heavy for her.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
What an amazing Come Up for Letizia!! Back when I lived in Germany she was a News anchor!! And now Queen!! Whoo hoo! That is really really remarkable
Lol she will be getting a call from Kim K very soon.
She has nothing to do with this. Must she be talked about and thought about so much her threads aren’t enough?
People aren’t generally fond of her in Spain. I don’t know what to think of this news. I am disappointed the king abdicated.
Me too. I mean this pair are ughh not very adequate to be the heirs, much less monarchs. If only Elena could be the Queen…
The Queen still has a lot of energy and gives 100% more than her grand kids, but i do wonder if ‘abdication’ is really looked down upon,like quitting( some have a legit reason to) but i just see it as retiring for the much older Royals.
The queen is so old that I don’t think anyone would blame her for stepping down
But she doesn’t really have good successors. Charles works and does lots for charity. But he’s boring/bland and people still resent how he treated Diana and I don’t think Camilla is really accepted because she was his side piece etc
Not even going to start on William.
Really she should abdicate and give the throne to George
I’ve heard a strong argument that it’s mostly americans that hold ill feelings for Camilla and Charles regarding Diana. And now it’s better known the other sides to that tale. Also, Camilla has done much to repair her image and works for her charities.
And she couldn’t really pass to George. Unless that was sarcasm?
Yes it was. Just a joke since Charles and William both seem undesirable.
My Charles info comes from a canadian perspective so it’s pretty Americanized. Diana is still treated like a goddess in the US so there’s a definite bias.
The Queen takes her coronation oath very seriously. Never mind the trauma of Edward VIII’s abdication, she just doesn’t see the crown as a “job,” the way that the Continental Royal families do. She’s Queen because God ordained it, and that can’t be set aside.
I think there’s a bit of a contradiction in the Continental approach (if the crown/head of state is just another government job, and you retire when you’re ready, shouldn’t it be elected?) but I’m a republican and think there shouldn’t be any royal family in any country. But, if there is going to be a crowned head of state, the Queen’s belief seems more in keeping with the idea of a royal family to me.
When Kind Edward abdicated to marry the twice divorced American, Wallis Simpson, it was a huge, huge scandal, and a very sore spot for the royal family. It put the shy Bertie (QEII’s father) on the throne. Abdication has a very negative connotation in England. QEII will never abdicate.
Abdication is just not a good word for the British. It won’t happen. Charles is somewhere crying today.
I doubt he’s crying, exactly, because his mother has always maintained that she would rule for life.
Charles has always known that; he might not be thrilled about it, but it’s not like he hasn’t had a few decades’ worth of practice at accepting it.
The Queen may share her grandmother Queen Mary’s sentiments as well. When Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands abdicated in 1948, Queen Mary was appalled as she was ‘only’ 68 and that was too young to give up ones job .
Spain’s unemployment rate is so awful. I’d be so upset about their spending as well
My friend and her Spanish wife left the country because jobs are so hard to find, even when you’re well educated.
I hope this somehow helps.
And yeah, the queen might outlast Charles
Well, I’d like to think jobs are hard to come by anywhere at the moment, even with education. I have been applying for 15 months and not even gotten one interview. Only by pure luck am I now able to take a job in a completely different field, and that, basically out of necessity. Its just the times we live in now, the peaks have been reached and we are on a downslide.
I just know my friend’s experience. She’s American and married to a Spanish woman.
They tried to live in Spain but the economy was too hard. Her wife got a US work visa and they both have good jobs in the US now. They would love to go back to Spain once they have healthy savings
This makes me a little bit sad. Juan Carlos did a lot for Spain at the death of Franco and he was brave and solid during the coup attempt.
At the same time, he has had his missteps AND I am not at all fond of his children. His daughter Cristina is married to a grifter par excellence, and Felipe’s wife–please. She is a troubled woman. And… Spain has a long history of internal discord and many ups and downs of fortune. Right now, with the economy and with Rajoy in power, I think things only can get worse.
This is serious news. Maybe not for what it appears on the surface, but it is significant nonetheless.
Very well said.
I am not sad, but I’d be happier if this have come with the proposal of a referendum to ask us if we want to maintain the monarchy or if we choose a Republic instead. I mean, what they didn’t allow us to do in 1975 when the *ucking Franco forced us to swallow up this family down our throats without asking. I’m glad to see Leti as Queen, she is truly disgusting and self-entitled, just exactly what the Borbons need to be even more loved here.
Republic is Coming.
Totally agree.
And seriously, they dont give a dim about our country (otherwise they real behaviour cannot be explained…)
I agree with you entirely–you are a little more blunt than I am about this matter, while I was trying to be at least a bit diplomatic and kind.
All I can carefully, politely say is this: I like to think that Juan Carlos was intending to act in the best interest of Spain when Franco died (may he not rest in peace) and of course he could have done better.
I loathe JC’s children and hope for better for Spain.
I hope that there will be a Republic once again, but with much, much better for Spain than Rajoy.
We’ll see…
Frida_K I don’t like Rajoy either, but he was voted so I accept it. This is how Democracy works, sometimes you win sometimes you lose 😉
I think this was extremely calculated, the announcement I mean, the decission was made in January and they announce it today right after the EU elections, with an exceptional amount of votes that went to minority parties that threaten the “Old System” and also right before the World Cup, knowing that we are fool enough to be distracted with football and the NT to pay attention to that ( Panes et circenses). Am I being too cynical?, maybe, but nothing can susprise me nowadays.
Madrid, puedes estar segura que no les importamos una m*erda. Saludos desde BCN 😉
@Spaniard et al – What’s the deal with Letizia? Pardon my superficiality, but I’ve only kept up with her fashion-wise and on the state of her troubling thin-frame.
Yes, please. If having a monarchy means these two, I much prefer a republic.
@Frida-K: what’s the story on Letezia? Why is she troubled? I don’t know much about the Spanish Royals other than the corruption stuff I’ve seen in the news and a lot of pictures of Princess Diana and her sons vacationing with them back in the day.
Vanity Fair did a big expose on Juan and why he needed to step down — too many controversies. Felipe is a much better choice, although I suspect Spain will toss their Royal Family before 2050. Especially if the economy continues the way it has.
That’s what I dont understand, it’s not the monarchy that runs the country, the same way, it’s not a president who does it, it’s the government. Both Kings and Presidents and basically representatives of the state, head of the military forces and they just get to send the laws to constitutional courts to see if they uphold the constitution… that’s it… So, why is the king’s fault the state of the economy? It’s the continuous Prime Ministers fault..
It’s way easier to turn people against inherited power than elected.
But they’re forgetting that in a Republic, you elect the Presidents every 4 years an then you have to pay them pensions for that job… So, besides the active President’s salary and representative expenses, you’ll also have the rest of former presidents’ pensions…. it’s pretty much the same amount, as the RF… whatever…
This is a throw of dice by the King to retain the monarchy.
He has been taking a beaten for a while
On top of Spain’s ongoing economic, social and financial problems.
The Inaki scandal, the King’s spendthrift ways, poor health and remarkable run of infidelities (usually kept quite but now very out in the open) has set rot.
My friends in Malaga believe the Spanish monarchy might not have survived the next 5 years with him at the helm – it still might not though
Me no likey. He is an elephant killer.
the person really crying is goop.
May I ask why?, because she never said anything about the RF. The fixation in this site for this woman could be the subject of a study.
it was news in the early 2000s, right before chris martin.
i think it was verified by a member of his family?
She used to date Felipe right before Chris Martin.
PLEASE!!, She never dated Felipe!!…that is a huge lie.
Lol. Only Gwyneth Paltrow can be brought into a discussion about the Spanish Royal Family in a negative way. She certainly does inspire people to snark.
I have read a lot about Paltrow over the years but nothing about her dating the son of Juan Carlos. My only knowledge of her with relation to Spain is from some show she did with Mario Batali on the local cuisine and I believe met the Royal Family.
Well, even Andrew Morton talked about that rumor in his book about spanish royals.
You said it all: ANDREW MORTON, most accurate and reliable writer in the world…. if he said it, it’s true.
You guys, can you imagine how awesome (and not in a good way) if it were true and they got married? We’d be staring down Queen Gwyneth!
If they dated, he had to have broken up with her. I can’t see her turning down a shot at becoming royalty. 🙂
I remember GOOP dated a prince before Chris, but the suggestion was it was Kyril of Bulgaria rather than Nicholas of Greece.
Gwyneth did date Felipe before Letizia came along. She did date him just look through some old Spanish Royal news coverage and you’ll see old stories about it.
Well, actually that is a not reliable rumor fabricated by many american tabloids. But the true is that Goopy was casually dating at that time Felipe’s cousin, Nicholas of Greece (son of the former Kings of Greece and thus nephew of Doña Sofía). So they used to hang out for some time in london together.
I totally believe this! Our Goop LOVES to talk about how she lived in Spain and speaks fluent Spanish. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and get in with the Royal Family.
” I think Prince Felipe will probably do more for transparency within the royal family”
LOL I don’t think so
I will never understand the need for a royal family in the 21st century. Why should we celebrate people because they got lucky at birth?
One good thing that came out of communism is that there is zero nobility in my country. Thank God.
My opinion exactly.
Oh yeah, the Spanish royals are one shady crew (Letizia included). I’d definitely be willing to bet that theirs is the next monarchy to be dissolved. They’ve pretty much completely lost the goodwill of the Spanish people.
Kaiser,
With all the due respect , i believe that you need to check your facts. Letizia a workhorse? She has stated that she wants to take her status as a 9-5 job and refuses to have official events during the weekend. As another Spaniard says here she is self entitled and rude. Her main obsession during the last ten years has been plastic surgery. She is consistently the least valued member of the Royal Family for a lot of reasons.
Oh that’s interesting.
I just asked what her deal is? 🙂
What has she done that is rude?
And quite frankly, there are several royals in other countries who would be lucky to fill a forty hour week with duties…
Please someone enlighten those of us unknowing of Letizia’s “issues”? Lots of people keep dropping hints but nothing else. She seems alright from the outside but what’s the inside story?
She is completely uninterested in her position. No duties, only privileges. Her faces in official acts are legendary. Her main achievement has been to buy herself a new face with the money of the Spaniards. Before marrying the prince she was a declared republican and as a former news reader, her former colleagues talk about her entitlement and how she was a climber, especially attaching herself to men. She is cold, detached, and refuses to do her job outside of a “regular job” schedule. There has been a lot of issues because people want to have pics taken with her and she refuses, throws tantrums, or forces people to erase any pic they might have taken. Oh, and everything about her past is locked in a big security box, no kidding. She was , apparently, born in her thirties. This can go on for hours….
People just hate Letizia. It makes our much vaunted “Kate Hate” seem like mildly amused dislike.
All these things you mention are pretty vague, and quite frankly contradictory.
In one breath you say she does “no duties” and in another that she refuses to “do her job outside of a regular job” schedule. Which is it? No duties or forty hours a week of duties – or something in between?
And tantrums? Are there photos or press reports?
And how could she be a former well known news reader, someone you know is a declared republican, yet someone whose “past is locked in a big security box”?
And she is hardly the first crown princess or royal to have plastic surgery. Honestly, it’s easier to count the ones who haven’t.
What do you think of Felipe? To outside eyes he appears intelligent, well-educated and hard working. Why would he marry such a dragon?
Really, this might sound like an attack – I’m tired, actually, not energetic enough to reword it more politely – but I am truly just curious.
•Reece•
I’m going to be honest and blunt here.
Most Spaniards don’t like Letizia because the Spanish press does everything they can to tear her down. The Spanish press is *honestly* worse than the British press. When you see other countries that praise and esteem their Royal Families (and a great many do) always remember that praise or vilification is directly corollated with their press. Respect from the press and you’ll see respect for the family. Vilification from the press and that’s what you’ll see FOR the family as well.
The only two members of the Spanish Royal Family that are liked are Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe. And they are almost hero worshiped while everyone is thrown under the bus. There’s a lot of reasons though.
I can direct you to a couple of *very* good tumblr blogs about the SRF. Very balanced and informative. I’m very grateful for they taught me.
I think that she does the job herself pretty well.
LadySlippers, with all the due respect, I’m not afraid of doing self-criticism and I’m also aware that we have a lot of flaws as a country, but I think we most have enough criteria to form our own opinion of a public person without needing the press to tell us what to think.
I think that Another Spaniard has stated all pretty well above.
•spaniard• •Another Spaniard•
There is one SRF blog on tumblr that has gone out of her way to debunk all the myths presented here on CB (and in your press) by a variety of people. This blog doesn’t say Letizia is perfect either — just that she doesn’t deserve the vitriol your press ladles on her.
And honestly, many studies have shown that people are completely unaware of subtle and not-so-subtle tactics that shape people’s opinion. That’s not shade either — on anyone, anywhere. We all are susceptible to it and that why advertisers, and any media use it extensively.
I was just trying to offer •Reece• and anyone else that was curious, an alternative narrative to the one presented here. That’s all.
Actually Lady S, I think the spanish press is not that critical of Leti, that is a misconception and in the beginning of the marriage everyone was very supportive of her (she was a modern woman, with a career and not royal). But then, the everyone could see she was just not doing what is expected of The Princess of Asturias. During this time the press took a harsher approach with it’s coverage of the family (except Doña Sofía and the Infanta Elena, who despite their faults are the only ones that people have in high regard).
LS, yes please. I would like too see those blogs.
AS, I have no words. That is just…strange. I’m also now going to be looking more closely at her face.
It’s true… the Spanish press hates Letizia, basically that… they keep throwing her down…
I really never understood the hatred the press holds against her, her being a jounalist and everything.. or maybe that’s the reason…~
Come on Pinky Rose, there are many who hate her, just thinking about that fool who is very conservative and is always on TVE talking trash at her… can’t remember the name…
And about wanting a Republic or a Monanrchy, because of corruption? Take a look at Portugal, a real look, it’s a Republic and the Presidency and Government and parties are rotten to the core…
Thanks Lady Slippers
I was wondering what the beef was with Princess Letezia. Are the twin girls with blue eyes her and Felipe’s kid?
Reece,
Letizia had a nose job. I think a quick google search will bring up results, but her profile used to show a hooked “witchy” nose and she’s had that shaved down.
Yes T.C. they are their daughters, … adorable cute little girls… and they’re not twins… 2 years of difference. 🙂
Please share the tumblrs.
And it’s really the feelings about Felipe which are paramount. HE will have to be the one to restore the dignity and lustre to the Spanish monarchy. A spouse may help but I don’t think they hurt if they aren’t well-liked. Obviously any dislike for her hasn’t dragged Felipe down and the Queen’s popularity hasn’t helped Juan Carlos.
I’m amazed at his resemblance to Gwyneth Paltrow. Put a blonde wig on him and its Goop to go.
Her face HAS changed! A LOT! I wouldn’t have recognized her only by looking at the pic.
I am just getting a good chuckle thinking that Prince Charles will likely have to attend yet another coronation due to an abdication.
i remember a comment from a royal reporter about Prince Charles when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated… Charles once was guest at her coronation and then he was guest when she ended her reign decades later while Charles was still in the same waiting position. Charles must feel awkward after the 3 abdications in the last time.
I think either Norways or Swedens King may be the next. Harald of Norway is in frail health after his cancer treatment a few years ago.
Ok, i have to say i think the Spanish Monarchy will end soon… Spain doesn´t need them anymore.
I have liked Letizia for a long time. I love that she is a hard worker/ modern..and she has gotten a bad rap for being “cold/distant”…which I don’t get. She isn’t a synchophant like many press friendly continental crown princesses -which might be part of that rep.
I totally get that the Royal family and their expenses are an easy target for the anger of some Spaniards. High unemployment and EU debt is clearly not in the purview of the royal’s role and it’s harder to look at tough cuts in an underperforming economic system than it is to point fingers at the royals there (which run a much tighter ship than other monarchies in Europe).
It’s akin to congress cutting costs in the USA. Yes, let’s target public television and ignore cutting costs in the bloated Pentagon budget. It plays well perhaps with the public..but isn’t going to solve the bigger issues at play.
But to each their own. I think Felipe is what is needed and I have felt Juan Carlos has needed to step down for some time..with some bad choices.
Just my two cents..
Viva Reina Letizia!! 🙂
I like them both two, she’s far better than many across this Europe but ok…
ON ANOTHER NOTE: Now I know why Charlene from Monaco looked so angry the other day, an ex-bride of Albert of Monaco sat next to them… Vasconcelos… ahahahahahah
Pleaseeeeeee , Charlene knows if Albert wanted that old tired model he would have married her. Vasconscelos was NEVER in serious consideration. She’s become known as a Prince groupie, she gave an interview saying Prince a Charles wanted her and she chased Albert for years, even did a royal duty or two and STiLL didn’t get a proposal or a ring.
No worries there.
It always amuses me when the biggest proponents of democracy are represented by kings and queens.
They make gorgeous King and Queen.
I’m liking Letizia more, but at first she was a lightening rod. The King and Queen didn’t want her because she was married before Felipe. She’s a divorcee and the public wasn’t wild about her. Yes she was really married to one of her University professors for years. They married in public office. Some Rumours said Leti was an atheist at the time, not sure if that’s true and didn’t want a church wedding with the professor.
One reason Divorcee Leti got in was because Felipe tried to put the Nordic Eva Sannum on the throne. A blonde, Norwegian student and model,who once modeled lingerie and the public , press and Palace said no way to Eva.
Got to give it to her, Letizia is going to be Queen of Spain. Well done.
Not her university professor. Her high school professor. They hooked up when she was 16. Check it if you don’t believe me. And, by the way, Felipe will become king in weeks, not in January. I respect all the fans of Leti but it puzzles me how unwilling you are to accept and believe the reasons why many many Spaniards like Spaniard and me don’t like her. If you speak Spanish go to the comments of the news in the main newspapers in Spain and you will see how many readers are expressing the same concerns Spaniard and I have.
Pero Another, la verdad es que no entendemos el odio que tenéis a la chica, que es surreal… Entiendo que queráis una república, pero la verdad es que también habrá muchos gastos…. y ya he leído El País… lo hago a menudo… y soy de Braganza, Portugal, creo que soy más española, que portuguesa, a veces… Así que, sé lo que pasa en España, veo programas españoles a menudo.. al rojo vivo y otros…
Es que querer terminar con l monarquía, porque no os gusta Letizia?
Lo de Iñaki, no comprendo porque lo ha hecho, que robó, es verdad.. Pero Felipe y Letizia? ?Qué han hecho de tan horrible? (no da para poner la puntuación correcta.. lo siento..)
Nighty,
Yo no soy republicana. Estoy de acuerdo en lo que dices de Iñaki y yo añado Cristina. A mi Leti me parece una prepotente que no ha aprendido nada de lo que supone representar a un pais. Se queja constantemente, va a los actos oficiales con mala cara, quiere un horario de funcionaria y eso, no puede ser. Por supuesto que puedes no estar de acuerdo conmigo, pero pienso que lo unico que ha hecho como princesa ha sido cambiarse la cara. Mira, Felipe me parece un hombre con posibilidades de llegar a ser un buen rey. Por supuesto, el tiempo lo dira. Tu que hablas español pasate por los comentarios de los periodicos. Te mando un saludo afectuoso.
Oh, I believe you don’t like her, and you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I respect it and certainly wouldn’t try to change your mind.
I can’t say I’m a fan of Letizia – I actually don’t care about her – but it amazes me with all the issues in the Spanish royal family that she’s the one who gets the brunt of the criticism.
But I guess it’s the same thing with Kate. Wills is just as lazy, or more so, than she is and she’s the lightening rod. So it goes.
I will always believe if it weren’t for Eva the Nordic blonde, that Leti the divorcee would have never been allowed in, that and Felipe stamped feet like a big baby and said he’d give up Throne to marry her, because the divorcee was not wanted by the Palace either. They figured what would he do next perhaps and at least she had an education.
It’s true Letizia was and is not popular, with the Spanish public , just go read some of the public spouses to her.
I think the Mexico topless picture is still questionable. She said she never posed, but I always wondered if that was just the Palace, The King,making a deal w the artist so Leti and Felipe wouldn’t be embarrassed by the picture.
I think long suffering Queen Sofia will be the winner in all this………free at last.
My take is that she would love to kick her cheating husband to the curb, for sure, but that she liked being queen.
I guess being the daughter, wife and now mother of a king will be enough reward.
Years ago Sofia got fed up, packed her children up and went to the airport but had nowhere to go so she went back to Juan Carlos.
I’ve never gotten the hate for Letizia either and I lived in Spain for two years. She wasn’t embezzling money like her brother in law or spending lavish trips in Botswana hunting elephants like Juan Carlos. She isn’t seen constantly shopping. She is educated and had a real job prior to marrying Felipe. She was also married too but I’ve not heard much about her ex husband. If the worst said about her is that she doesn’t smile enough and doesn’t like to work on weekends, that’s not saying much. Spanish people hate working anyways (I don’t mean this seriously) and get a ridiculous amount of holidays! It’s a little ridiculous compared to the 6 federal holidays that we get (or rather that I get!) I remember getting so many random days off for saints.