The Week that was in Royalty

Adorable Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine on their official portrait as they turn 3. Image: http://kongehuset.dk.

It's been a pretty tough week for the Spanish royals as Infanta Cristina faces fraud charges. Meanwhile, good news for Saudi royals, as Prince Alwaleed has been hailed as Saudi's most influential citizen.  More also on Prince William's going back to school and Queen Elizabeth's break from tradition of accepting flowers from well-wishers Sandringham. All these and more on the hottest news about the world of royalty.

32 facts about birthday girl Kate Middleton

Bourbons Behaving Badly: How the Spanish Royals Got Into Trouble 

Campaigner damaged Queen portrait to 'highlight injustice'

Extensive record on Emperor Hirohito coming, to shed light on his role in World War II 

King Juan Carlos should abdicate, say two thirds of Spaniards

Meet Emma McQuiston, Britain's soon-to-be first black marchioness... and why the groom's parents refused to attend the wedding

Pictures of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine as they turn 3

Preliminary charges again filed against Spain's Princess Cristina

Prince Alwaleed ‘most influential Arab’ in 2013

Prince Harry to move into Kensington Palace

Prince William begins agriculture course at Cambridge

Prince William dashes home from Cambridge University to be with Kate on her birthday

Queen breaks with tradition again today as she declines to accept flowers from hopeful children at Sandringham

Spanish fraud case batters image of monarchy

Zara Phillips becomes first member of Royal family to appearin video game

Celebrating the Life of Queen Sofia of Spain

Queen Sofia of Spain

The recent scandals and intrigues that hounded the Spanish Royal Family, one that even questioned its existence has made Queen Sofia, perhaps, Spain’s Mater Dolorosa. A Telegraph article called her the lonely royal consort. The reasons are plentiful. From the many issues to her husband’s infidelity, it is most admirable to see Queen Sofia still maintain that dignified façade, something that could have crumbled had her fate struck some mortals of lesser emotional stamina. On her 75th birthday, we celebrate Queen Sofia’s selfless life, one that has been dedicated for the service of her family and her kingdom.

The eldest child of King Paul of Greece and Princess Frederica of Hanover, Princess Sofia was born in Psychiko, Athens, Greece on 2 November 1938. She is the sister of the deposed King Constantine II. Another sister is Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark.

While she was a young girl, the princess spent some time in Egypt, where she studied early education at El Nasr Girl’s College (EGC). During World War II, the princess, together with her family, lived in exile in South Africa, returning home in 1946. She attended Schloss Salem boarding school in Southern Germany before returning to Athens where she studied childcare, music and archeology.

Sofia also attended Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge. Together with her brother, she represented Greece during the 1960 Summer Olympics as reserve member of the Gold Medal-winning sailing team.
Marriage and Family

While on a cruise in the Greek islands, Princess Sofia met Infante Juan Carlos of Spain. They once again met at the wedding of her cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, at York Minster in 1961. They were eventually married on May 14, 1962, at the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Dennis in Athens. Jean Desse designed her gown. Her attendants included her sister Princess Irene, the groom’s sister Infanta Pilar of Spain, Sofia’s future sister-in-law Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, Princess Irene of the Netherlands, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Anne of Orleans, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, and Princess Tatiana Radziwill.

The couple’s marriage produced three children: Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (born December 20, 1963); Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca (born June 13, 1965); and Felipe, Prince of Asturias (born January 30, 1968), the heir to the throne.

Abolition of the Greek Monarchy

Then-Princess Sofía was on holiday in Greece when the 1967 the Greek military staged their coup against the king. While King Constantine did not abdicate, the Greek Military Junta eventually deposed him in 1974 and King Constantine II was stripped of his title, citizenship and property in Greece. Until 1998, Queen Sofia had only visited Greece once, during the funeral of her mother Queen Frederica. Seventeen years later, she returned to Greece together with King Juan Carlos on an official state visit.

Queen of Spain

To make her more appealing to Catholic Spain, Sofia decided to convert from Greek Orthodoxy to Roman Catholicism. She also relinquished her claim to the Greek throne and her name from Latinized from Sophia to the Spanish variant, Sofía.

In 1969, Francisco Franco bestowed upon Prince Juan Carlos, the title Prince of Spain. While he never used the Prince of Asturias, a title reserved for the heir presumptive, Juan Carlos was already known at that time to succeed Francisco Franco with the restoration of the Spanish monarch. Juan Carlos eventually became king in 1975.

Aside from being her husband’s frequent companion in numerous state and official visits, Queen Sofia also embarks on solo solo engagements. She best known as the executive president of her namesake foundation, which, in 1993 sent relief funds to Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also sits as honorary president of the Royal Board on Education and Care of Handicapped Persons of Spain and the Spanish Foundation for Aid for Drug Addicts.

Queen Sofia’s interest lies in fighting drug addiction. She has actually gone to various places to attend meetings and conferences about eliminating drug addiction.

While the Queen remains highly respected, she does not lack any detractors. She has earned the rebuked of LGBT about her conservative stance on same-sex marriage. In one interview, she questioned why LGBTs should hold Gay Pride demonstrations after the Spanish Cortes legalized gay marriage. "I can understand, accept and respect that there are people of other sexual tendencies, but why should they be proud to be gay?” she said. "Should they ride on a parade float and come out in protests? If all of us who are not gay were to parade in the streets, we’d halt the traffic in every city,” the Queen continued.

Criticisms and Personal Setbacks

Reports have also surfaced that even her marriage is in under fire and that she and the king have been living apart for many years already. Author Pilar Eyre noted that the reserved but elegant grandmother has few real friends in Spain. Inside the Zarzuela Palace, there is an existing rift between between the King's "team" and the Queen's ladies in waiting.

Queen Sofia, a sister of Greece’s exiled King Constantine and cousin of Prince Philip, is in aspect opposite to King Juan Carlos. She is a vegetarian who disdains bullfighting and rarely speaks in public because of her heavily-accented Spanish. The king meanwhile is known for his straight talking personality and his passion for fast cars, sailing and skiing.

“It was a marriage of convenience,” says Eyre. “They have been living separate lives for a long time.

Nevertheless, no personal trial, not even a marriage on the rocks or lousy detractors could prevent the Queen from carrying on her duty for her family, for her people and for her country. After all she is still the Queen of Spain.

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!


The Royal Blogger

Christian George Acevedo is a book worm, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

King Philippe's Twitter Account Hacked, Cambodians Appeal to King to Delay Opening of Parliament, Prince Charles Becomes One of the Oldest Heirs to the British Throne and More Royal Updates!

Image: Expatica

The King's Twitter account hacked by a journalist. The hacker even managed to send glad tidings: "I feel good as King of the Belgians! Long live Belgium!" [Expatica]

Monks and Cambodian opposition leaders urge King Norodom Sihamouni to delay opening of parliament [Reuters]

Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban has been cleared of charges. Image: AP

Meshael Alayban, the Saudi princess accused of human trafficking a 'slave maid' into her California home is cleared of all charges. [Mail Online]

King Juan Carlos

King Juan Carlos shrugs abdication rumors ahead of hip surgery. [Expatica]

Prince Charles

While the Queen is Britain's oldest reigning monarch, Prince Charles is now the oldest heir to the throne in 300 years. [BBC]

Sophia, Electress of Hanover. Source: Wikimedia

Hanover's Electress Sophia remains as the oldest heir to the throne, who died at 83. [Mail Online]

King Juan Carlos hosts luncheon in honor of Crown Prince Naruhito Japan

June 11 - King Juan Carlos of Spain hosted a lunched in honor of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan. The heir to Japan’s Chrysanthemum throne is on a six-day tour in Spain to commemorate Japan and Spain’s 400-year tie, which commenced June 10 and ends on June 15.

With King Juan Carlos were Queen Sofia, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Elena at the Zarzuela Palace.

The Japanese crown prince is set to preside over the inauguration of the "Year of Spain in Japan,” and a full program of activities is expected to keep the visiting royal busy.

The Prince of Asturias and the Crown Prince of Japan hold the honorary presidency of the "Year of Spain in Japan" and "Year Dual Spain-Japan", respectively.

The "Spain-Japan Dual Year" is aimed at promoting Spain in Japan, as well as fostering trade and understanding between the two countries, reflect the profound changes that Spanish society has undergone in recent decades and to promote a more dynamic and diversified relations between the two of the world’s most progressive countries.

King Juan Carlos won’t abdicate

King Juan Carlos of Spain

Despite the harrowing scandals that had inflicted Spain’s royal family since last year, King Juan Carlos will never abdicate, “reaffirming his legacy of resurrecting the monarchy,” reports Christian Science Monitor.

“In an effort to turn a page, King Juan Carlos ruled out abdicating in January, despite flagging health, other scandals biting at his popularity, including an injury during a Botswana elephant hunting extravaganza paid by a Saudi businessman, something he later apologized for in a rare public TV broadcast.”

In an interview, the 75-year-old king said in a rare interview: “I’m in good shape, and above all with the spirit to confront the challenges we face.”

“I would like to be remembered as the king who united all Spaniards and with them managed to recover democracy and the monarchy.”

King Juan Carlos looks frail during Pascua Militar

="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Juan Carlos of Spain seems frail during the Pascua Militar.

King Juan Carlos of Spain seems frail during this year's Pascua Militar (or Military Easter) held last Jan. 6. Far from his usual robust and feisty being, the 75-year-old king was walking with two canes and is seemingly inconvenient. Last year, he had undergone hip operation. He has also gained weight and his face was red. The Pascua Militar is an annual celebration which dates back in 1782, after Spain's successful campaign in Mallorca. Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias also graced the event.

King Juan Carlos turns 75

King Juan Carlos on his 75th birthday

Spain's King Juan Carlos has granted a once-in-a-blue moon interview on the eve of his 75th birthday. The king expressed his concerns regarding the financial crisis that afflicts millions of his subjects.


"One of the things that is most concerning and is in the mind of many Spaniards is the lack of jobs that leads millions of families to be unable to live with dignity and forces young people to leave Spain to look for work," the King said before the country's national TVE.

His Majesty also mentioned that the country's grave situation hurts him a lot.

It would be remembered that 2012 was an 'annus horribilis' for the King and the entire Spanish Royal Family.

Last April, the King sought public apology after his hunting expedition in Africa became widely publicized and criticized following an accident. The King was also besotted by scandal after his son-in-law came on fire due to alleged corrupt practices.

Nevertheless, the King "would like to be remembered as the king who has united Spaniards, that with him democracy and the monarchy have been recovered."

Unite against crisis, Spain's king urged subjects

King Juan Carlos delivers his Christmas message

2012 was indeed a tough year for King Juan Carlos, with a handful of personal and national setbacks that only served to sum up this year. Indeed, it’s been an “annus horribilis” for the Bourbons, a year that the Iberian royals wouldn’t want to look back to. But the King, ever feisty and strong-headed, does not lose hope. In his Christmas message, as reported in Expatica.com, the King calls upon the Spaniards to remained one and united to make it through the economic crisis, whose unimagined intensity has swept Europe into the brinks of misery. More importantly, the king called upon his subjects to remain united despite Catalonia’s bid for sovereignty.


“The 74-year-old monarch, who weathered a tough year himself after shattering his hip on a luxury elephant-hunting holiday, said Spain was suffering one of the deepest crises of its modern history.
 
'The serious economic crisis we have been going through for some years has reached an intensity, breadth and persistence that no-one had imagined,' he said in his annual address to the nation.
Spaniards, especially the young, are desperate over their finances, unemployment and uncertainty, he said.
 
'We cannot ignore that there is pessimism, and that its effects are felt in the social climate we are living in,' the king said, after a year of mass street demonstrations and two general strikes.
Thus, the king said that austerity measures have to be planned and implemented in a manner that would complement economic growth, seeing that today's sacrifices guarantees tomorrow's welfare.
But of all the measures to combat the crisis, 'the main stimulus that will get us out of this crisis is called confidence,' he said.

Juan Carlos urged a return to politics that 'instead of provoking confrontation, out of a respect for diversity brings together our common parts to combine our strengths, not to divide them.'

He spoke hours after Catalan president Artur Mas was sworn in for a new four-year term, promising to seek a referendum in 2014 on "self-determination" for the northeastern region despite fierce opposition from Madrid, which says that the step would flout the Spanish constitution.
Juan Carlos called on Spanish politicians to forego short-term ambitions for the greater good and to "open new doors to hope", alluding to the creation of democracy after the death in 1975 of General Francisco Franco.

Urging mutual respect, he called for the promotion of values such as 'the recognition of our plurality and the protection of the different languages, cultures and institutions of Spain.

'It is time for us to look ahead and do what we can to close the open wounds. It will be a new success of us all, citizens and institutions, based on respect for the law and democratic means.'

The king, who remains widely respected for his role in steering the country to democracy after Franco, emerged from hospital three weeks ago after having his left hip replaced.

He had undergone two operations in April on his other hip which he broke during an elephant hunting trip to Botswana, which provoked a public uproar and forced him into an unprecedented apology.

The royal family's reputation also took a hit this year because of corruption charges against the king's son-in-law Inaki Urdangarin who is suspected of embezzling public money paid to a non-profit institution under his control.

King Juan Carlos sacked by Spanish WWF

King Juan Carlos' safari trip to Africa was the reason why he was
ousted as president of WWF Spain

After the huge embarrassment he’d endured after his highly publicized African safari trip, King Juan Carlos of Spanish received another slapped on his face after World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature’s branch in Spain decided to abolish the position of honorary president, which was held by the King.

The King’s hunting trip to Botswana in April this year has caused much furor from environmentalists, as well as from his fellowmen who continues to suffer from Eurozone’s credit crunch.

The King has already publicly apologized but it was too late. More than 85,000 people petitioned through the internet for the King’s resignation.

"Although this type of hunting is legal and regulated, many members consider it to be incompatible with the position of honorary patron of an international organisation that aims to protect the environment," the WWF statement said on Saturday. The vote to abolish the position of honorary president was carried by a 94% majority, it said.

King Juan Carlos takes seven percent pay cut

King Juan Carlos takes a pay cut

Amidst the worsening credit crunch that’s taking Europe by storm, Spain’s king Juan Carlos has agreed on a seven-percent pay cut. This puts his income 20,900 euros less  than previous year’s 292,000 euros.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Felipe loses 10,450 euros from his last year’s 131,000 euro salary.

The royal household aims to save 100,000 euros this year in the wake of protests over austerity measures that saw Spanish civil servants lose their Christmas bonus or equivalent to seven percent of their salaries. 

No golden jubilee for Spain’s king and queen

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, seen here with other members of the
Spanish Royal Family, will not be celebrating their upcoming golden
 wedding anniversary.

Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will not be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary either in public or private.

This announcement has fueled speculation that the royal pair are actually estranged. However, claims also surface that the move is aimed to appease the public who are still angry over the king’s lavish safari trip to Africa in April. 

Spain’s Royal Family in Crisis

Happy times no more? Spain's House of Bourbon in crisis.

Spain's Royal Family is in the middle of its worst crisis in years following a series of scandals, including the revelation that King Juan Carlos went on an extravagant trip to Africa despite the recession. Many people in Spain are now asking tough questions about the role of the monarchy. For full story, visit Spiegel. 

‘I’m Sorry’: King Juan Carlos apologizes for safari trip

The Daily Mail reports that Spain's king Juan Carlos today apologised for going elephant-hunting in Africa while everyday people in his country endure a severe economic crisis. In an unprecedented act of royal contrition, the monarch said: 'I am very sorry. I made a mistake. It won't happen again.' This admission came after calls grew that he be stripped from his honorary presidency of the Spanish branch of the World Wildlife Fund. 

The king looks sheepish as he walks with crutches while leaving 

the Madrid Hospital where he was operated after a hip fall.

Spanish King Slammed for his £27,000 Elephant Hunting Trip

The King of Spain has come under fire for hunting elephants in Botswana as his country is being sucked back into the eurozone's financial crisis and one in two youngsters are jobless, reports Daily Mail.

Spanish media have slammed Juan Carlos for the reported £27,000 cost of the trip - and have published angry editorials alongside pictures of a previous 'Big Game' hunting expedition.

King Juan Carlos is slammed for his excesses after news
of his recent safari trip to Africa became known.

King Juan Carlos had hip surgery

Adding to the series of unfortunate events that has befallen the Spanish Royal Family, Spain's King Juan Carlos, 74, underwent surgery after an accident while he reportedly hunted elephants in southern Africa. The Telegraph reports that he was operated on for four hours to replace his hip at a hospital in Madrid on Saturday morning, after suffering a triple fracture which the Royal Palace said was "linked to arthritis,” while on a hunting trip in Botswana.  

The King appeared with a shotgun at hand and the elephant which
he killed  earlier during his safari trip in Botswana.

The Daily Mail reports that the king has come under a barrage of criticism for taking the trip while his country faces financial crisis. The king had arrived in Africa on Monday and fell in his bedroom at a hunting lodge on yesterday. He was taken to Madrid last night on a 10-hour flight by private jet. Last week the king's 13-year-old grandson Felipe Juan Froilan was taken to hospitalafter accidentally shooting himself in the foot with a small 36 caliber shotgun while carrying out target practice at his home near Madrid. He is still recovering in the Quiron clinic in the Spanish capital.

Financial Crisis Has Heavy Blow on Spain’s Royal Household

Spain's royals will lower the salaries of top staff and trim spending on official occasions after their budget was cut in the midst of an economic crisis, an official said Thursday. More about this report at Expatica. 

Time: Why Juan Carlos' Reign in Spain Has Become a Royal Pain

Spain’s King Juan Carlos and the entire Royal Family have been facing a series of troubles the past months. Read Lisa Bend’s article about the series of unfortunate events that befell the House of Bourbon.

King Juan Carlos’ Grandson Shoots Himself

Felipe Juan Froilan, 13, eldest daughter of Infanta Elena, daughter of King Juan Carlos, shoots himself in foot while doing target practice outside family home when he misfired into his right foot. He is already recovering while being treated at hospital. Under Spanish law, children under 14 are not allowed to use firearms. The incident was reminiscent of a shooting accident in 1956 when King Juan Carlos's 14-year-old brother, Alfonso, was shot dead at the family's home. The Daily Mail gets this news fully covered. 

Felipe Juan Froilan, 13, is flocked by his mother,
Infanta Elena, and grandfather King Juan Carlos.

King Juan Carlos Celebrates with Country During Pascua Militar

Military Easter a centuries-old tradition. 

King Juan Carlos, together with the rest of the Spanish Royal Family was one with the country during the celebration of the Pascua Militar (Military Easter in Easter), Jan. 6. The celebration will be presided over by Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia,accompanied by the Prince of Asturias.

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The Military Easter has a deep tradition in the Spanish military life. Its celebration dates back to the reign of Carlos III, when, on January 6, 1782, the royal troops recovered the town of Mahon Menorca, which was in English hands. As an expression of joy, Carlos III ordered the viceroys, captains general, governors and military commanders on the feast of the Epiphany, bringing together the fittings and on his behalf to notify commanders and officers of the armies his congratulations.

King Juan Carlos Attends Opening of Parliament

Two daughters missed ceremony. 

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King Juan Carlos attended official opening of Parliament, also known in Spain as Xth legislature. Together with the king are Queen Sofia, Felipe, Prince of Asturias, and her wife Letizia, Princess of Asturias.

The King's speech gave emphasis on the Parliament's duty to perform their responsibilities to seal people's “trust in the institutions” of Spain. The King also highlighted the importance of obeying the law, saying that no public figure is above the law. 

Among the issues that the King gave emphasis include the pressing concerns on the country's rising unemployment, calling the attention of those listening to him to act upon the crisis to curb its impact on the citizens. 

"All of you, deputies and senators, are united in the obligation to contribute with decisiveness and efficacy to getting over this crisis and its negative effects on citizens,” he said.

The King's two daughters, Infantas Elena and Cristina were not present on the event. This is the first time that the royal daughters missed the opening of Parliament since 1979. Royal insiders believed that their absence were linked to Cristina's husband, Inaki Urdarangin's link to corruption scandal. Since the scandal's eruption, Urdarangin has been banned from the royal family or from appearing in royal and public functions.

A royal spokesperson said they declined the invitation to one of Spain's most important political events, citing personal reasons. "They did not accept their invitation for different reasons. 

“It is their decision,” the spokesman said.