Christmas Greetings from the Spanish Royal Family

King Juan Carlos and his family released their Christmas cards on the Casa de Majestad el Rey website yesterday. The monarch’s card depicted a Nativity scene with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Prince Felipe opted for a pose with his wife and two daughters whilst Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina chose photos which featured just their children.


Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Christening of Prince Aristidis-Stavros

Prince Aristidis-Stavros, son of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, was christened in a Greek Orthodox ceremony today. The family was photographed outside the Holy Monastery of St. Anargyroi of Ermioni afterwards. Aristidis has seven godparents including royals Infanta Cristina of Spain and Prince Kyril of Bulgaria.

A star.gr video clip of Crown Prince Pavlos and Prince Aristidis-Stavros outside the monastery can be viewed here.

Photo: AP Photo/Eurokinissi, Vangelis Bougiotis

70th Birthday for King Juan Carlos of Spain

Today, King Juan Carlos of Spain celebrated his 70th milestone. The monarch will be feted with a lavish dinner on Wednesday. What could be considered as an annus horribilis for the Spanish royal family last year, Juan Carlos ended 2007 on a positive note by boosting the morale of Spanish troops serving in Afghanistan.

Juan Carlos was born on January 5, 1938 in Rome. He married Princess Sofia of Greece on May 14, 1962. He and Sofia have three children: Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Prince Felipe. Their offspring have produced eight grandchildren: Felipe Juan Froilan, Juan Valentín, Victoria Federica, Pablo Nicolás, Miguel, Irene, Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofía.

He ascended the throne on November 22, 1975. Since his enthronement, the king has proven vital to the restoration of democracy in Spain. The country is ruled by a parliamentary monarchy. Through his patronage influence, Juan Carlos has promoted “initiatives in the areas of economics, business, research and social advances” and has encouraged “solidarity at all levels of society in Spain.”

For his leisure, the king delights in sailing and skiing.

Photo: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/DVirgili

2nd Birthday Celebration for Infanta Leonor

Infanta Leonor celebrated her 2nd birthday today. It is befitting to note that the little princess came in second after her grandmother Queen Sofía via a 20 minutos poll of Spanish royal family favourites according to the Typically Spanish website. Her grandfather King Juan Carlos, her aunt Infanta Cristina and her father Prince Felipe came in third, fourth and fifth, respectively.