King Juan Carlos Abdicates the Spanish Throne

In his speech, King Juan Carlos I abdicated the Spanish throne in favor of his son, Prince Felipe. The king served for thirty-nine years.

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

Spanish Royal Family Releases Christmas Cards

The Spanish Royal Family released their Christmas cards this month which featured all the royal grandchildren with the exception of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía’s card. Instead of a photo, the monarchs used a scene depicting some wise men visiting Mary and little Jesus.


Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Princess Rosario of Bulgaria Celebrates Her 40th Birthday

Princess Rosario, wife of Prince Kyril of Bulgaria, reached her 40th birthday milestone today. Rosario Nadal de Puigdorfila was born October 22, 1968 in Palma de Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. Rosario married Kyril in Palma on September 15, 1989. The wedding was attended by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain. The couple had three children. Mafalda Cecilia was born on July 27, 1994. Olympia’s birth was on December 14, 1995 and Tassilo’s birth was on January 20, 2002. The princess is a godmother to Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway’s second child.

Currently, Rosario works as an art consultant in London.

Sailing Equals Summer Fun for Spanish Royals

The Spanish Royal Family have gathered at Marivent Palace for summer respite and sailing which began with the arrival of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía in Palma de Mallorca on July 19th. First, the king participated in the 14th Regatta Breiting MedCup sailing aboard the yacht Bribon. In the 27th Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE regatta, Prince Felipe has been sailing on the CAM in the IRC1 class whilst his father has been competing in the TP52 class aboard the Bribon. It has not been all fun and sailing for the Spanish monarch though; interspersed with the sailing events, Juan Carlos has devoted some time to several diplomatic engagements.

The article, Quantum Racing Kings in the Castle, can be read here.

The article, Perfect Opening Day At Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE, can be read here.

For more information on the 27th Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE regatta, visit the official website.

Photos: REUTERS

The Football Celebration Continues at Zarzuela Palace

King Juan Carlos proudly held the trophy again whilst he met with Spain’s football team at Zarzuela Palace today. He was joined by Queen Sofía, Infanta Elena and the Prince and Princess of Asturias. They congratulated the team and admired the trophy. Spain won the UEFA Euro 2008 against Germany on June 29th.

Photo: REUTERS

Spain Rejoices as Football Team Wins Euro Final over Germany

It was a sweet victory for Spain’s football team as they scored the only goal in the final match against Germany in the 2008 European Championships. The game took place at the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria today. The last time Spain claimed the European Championship trophy was in 1964. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía attended the final match along with their eldest daughter, Infanta Elena. Also present was sports enthusiast Prince Albert of Monaco and his girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock who were seated a couple of rows back from the Spanish monarch.

Photo: REUTERS

Spain’s Football Team Achieves Win in Overtime…Receives Thumbs Up from Spanish Monarch

During the 2008 European Championships quarterfinal match at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria on June 22nd, Spain won 4 - 2 on penalty kicks after a no score game against Italy. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía were in the stands as Spain’s football team doggedly achieved the win in overtime.

Photo: REUTERS

King Juan Carlos Salutes Troops in Zaragoza

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain were in Zaragoza over the weekend to honour the troops as part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations. On Saturday, the Prince of Asturias attended a reception with his parents at the Academia General Militar. The following day, he and the Princess of Asturias joined his parents to watch the military parade and flypast.Photos: © Ministerio de Defensa de España

First Birthday for Spain’s Infanta Sofía

Infanta Sofía turned a year old today. She was born at the Rúber International Clinic. Currently, she is third in line to the Spanish throne after her father and sister Infanta Leonor. She is King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía’s eighth grandchild.

Photo: REUTERS

Spanish King and Queen Visit Egypt

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain officially visited Egypt from February 4th to February 6th. The last two visits were made in 1977 and 1997. The Spanish king was there to attest the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Spain and Egypt. Spain has corresponding agreements with Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. In one of their first engagements, King Juan Carlos spoke at a reception within the Hotel Sofitel. Before 700 attendees, the monarch acknowledged the work and cooperation culturally and educationally between the Institute Cervantes in Cairo and Alexandria and the Egyptian Institute of Islamic Studies in Spain. Amidst their packed agenda, Sofía visited the pyramid of Saqqara and the Children's Cancer Hospital in Cairo. The king and queen also visited Darb Al-Ahmar and the Library of Alexandria, their last stop before returning to Spain.

Photo: REUTERS/ Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT)

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía Open FITUR Expo

The 28th edition of the Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR) Expo in Madrid was officially opened by King Juan and Queen Sofía of Spain yesterday. In his opening remarks, the king welcomed some first time participants among the 170 countries represented at the trade fair: Madagascar, São Tomé and Príncipe, Greenland and Bhutan. Amidst the praise and recognition, Juan Carlos accentuated the tourism industry’s efficacy to protect and promote historic patrimony and culture.

Prince Felipe Imparts Idyllic Family Life for His 40th Birthday

As the Prince of Asturias nears his 40th birthday, a series of family portraits have been released on the Casa de Su Majestad el Rey website. Prince Felipe was born January 30, 1968 at the Nuestra Señora de Loreto clinic in Madrid. He formalized his role as the heir to the throne by swearing allegiance to his father, King Juan Carlos and the Spanish Constitution on January 30,1986 in front of the Spanish Parliament. In May 1995, he earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. He is a qualified helicopter pilot and holds the ranks of Commander of the General Land Army Corps (Infantry), Lieutenant Commander in the General Navy and Commander of the General Air Force.

Among his many official duties, he presides over the Prince of Asturias Foundation which was formed on September 24, 1980. The foundation’s main objectives include “strengthening the links between the Principality of Asturias and its Prince and of contributing to upholding and promoting all those scientific, cultural and humanistic values that form the heritage of humanity.”

On May 22, 2004, Prince Felipe married Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. He and Letizia have two daughters: Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofía.



Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/Borja

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

Spanish Troops Receive New Year Morale Boost from King Juan Carlos

As 2007 drew to a close, King Juan Carlos of Spain boosted morale of the Spanish troops serving in Afghanistan by paying them an early morning visit. While in Herat, he inspected the troops and cheered up patients at the base hospital. Afterwards, the king rang in the New Year at the Spanish Embassy in Kuwait incorporating Spain’s tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight.

King Juan Carlos of Spain's 2007 Christmas Message

King Juan Carlos of Spain and his family have been surrounded with insurmountable tragedy and negative press this year, but the king was unwilling to wallow in a hopeless feeling of self-pity. Rather, he reassured his subjects that in spite of the hardships his family has endured; the country has enjoyed prosperity and democratic stability. In his Christmas message, Juan Carlos praised his subjects for overcoming challenges and embracing unity and diversity, but reminded them to continue working with dedication and generosity and contribute their efforts to society as a whole. As the king commanded his people to assert themselves more to their duties, the king reaffirmed his commitment to Spain and to all Spaniards.

The Typically Spanish article, King Juan Carlos calls for unity against terrorism in his Christmas message, can be read here.

King Juan Carlos of Spain's 2007 Christmas message delivered from Zarzuela Palace on December 24th can be viewed here.

Christmas Card Portraits of The Spanish Royal Family

The Spanish Royal Family released some family portraits which were used on their Christmas cards this year. For King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, it has almost become de rigueur for them be photographed with their grandchildren which included the newest addition, Infanta Sofía. The little princess was born on April 29th.


Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Ceuta And Melilla Warmly Receive the Spanish King and Queen

Even though it miffed the king of Morocco, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain visited the two Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla which are located in Moroccan territority on November 5th and 6th. The king was presented with a golden key by the city of Melilla and warmly welcomed by the citizens of both towns.

Before the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, Juan Carlos and Sofía had traveled to the disputed enclaves in the early 1970’s. It was in 1927 that the last Spanish monarch, Alfonso XIII, appeared in Ceuta and Melilla. Despite the long absence since his last call, Juan Carlos said, “I could wait no longer without coming to express our affection and support.”

Meanwhile, King Mohammed VI inveighed against the king's visit and counteracted with a rare statement. “We emphatically condemn and strongly denounce such an unprecedented visit, a counterproductive step that hurt the deep patriotic feelings of the whole Moroccan people.”

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.

The King of Spain Still Respected by the Majority

According to a poll published in the El Periódico de Catalunya, 80.8% of Catalonians disapproved the recent image burnings of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain. The Gabinet d’Estudis Socials i Opinió Pública (GESOP) interviewed 700 Spanish adults in Catalonia. While the majority denounced the burnings, 57.6% of those polled said that the dissenters should have the freedom to conduct their protests without punishment.