Spanish Monarchy: Info & Photo thread

Started by Jenee, March 27, 2011, 12:00:10 AM

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Jenee

Overview of the Spanish Monarchy

The Spanish Monarchy of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain is somewhat recent in terms of being part of the life of Spain – for many years, the Monarchy in Spain was ‘dormant’ as General Francisco Franco was Dictator.  In 1975 – President Franco died, and King Juan Carlos I ascended to the throne, the new King ruled Spain as an Absolute Monarch until a new constitution was introduced in 1978 that reestablished a Constitutional Monarchy.  (read more...)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Spanish Monarchy


Information about the Spanish Royal Residences

Palacio Real de Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid), also known as the Palacio de Oriente (The Orient Palace, or Far East Palace), is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. (read more about Palacio Real de Madrid...)

Zarzuela Palace
Zarzuela Palace is the principal residence of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia and their family. The palace is on the outskirts of Madrid, near the Royal Palace of El Pardo. The complex also houses the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Asturias in a nearby mansion. (read more about ZarZuela...)

Palace of La Almudaina
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is the Alcázar (fortified palace) of Palma, the capital city of the Island of Majorca, Spain. It is the official royal summer residence and is administered by the Patrimonio Nacional. (read more about Almudaina...)


Line of Succession:
H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias
H.R.H. The Infanta Leonor
H.R.H. The Infanta Sofia
H.R.H. The Duchess of Lugo
H.E. Felipe Juan Froilán de Marichalar y de Borbón
H.E. Victoria Federica de Marichalar y de Borbón
H.R.H. The Duchess of Palma de Mallorca
H.E. Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón eldest son of Infanta Cristina
H.E. Pablo Urdangarín y de Borbón.
H.E. Miguel Urdangarín y de Borbón


King Juan Carlos I, and Queen Sofia

The King enjoys bear hunting for which a lot of controversy has been generated. He is also a keen sailor, and competed in the Dragon class event at the Olympic Games – the King often during his summer holiday is seen enjoying sailing competitions in the Balearic Islands.

Representing the Spanish Crown, government and people – the King often travels around the world, he is mainly seen attending the Ibero-American summits – In November 2007, the King was embroiled in controversy and became an international sensation when during a heated debate between President Chavez of Venezuela and Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero – the King interrupted the Venezuela President and asked him “¿Por qué no te callas?” (“Why don't you shut up?”).

Queen Sofia of Spain was born a Princess of Greece and Denmark in November 1938 in Athens to King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederika.  As a Princess, she spent many years of her childhood in Egypt where she undertook her primary education in Alexandria. The Princess and her family then moved to South Africa during the Second World War and returning to Greece in 1946.

Juan Carlos married Sophia of Greece and Denmark in 1962. The couple have three children.

Read the full biography of King Juan Carols I, and Queen Sofia
Frequently Asked Questions about the King and Queen


Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia

His Royal Highness Prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Prince of Girona, Prince of Viana, Duke of Montblanc, Count of Cervera and Lord of Balaguer is the only son and heir of His Majesty the King Juan Carlos I of Spain. His Royal Highness married Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano in May 2004 at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. Letizia Ortiz gained the style and title of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturia by virtue of her marriage. The coupled have two daughters. Princess Leonor born in October 2005 and Princess Sofia born in April 2007.

Read the full biography of Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crown Prince and Princess

Infanta Leonor of Spain (daughter of Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia)

Su Alteza Real Infanta Doña Leonor de España is the first born child of the Crown Prince and Princess. She was born at Clínica Ruber Internacional in Madrid, España on October 31, 2005.

The infant girl was christened "Leonor de Todos los Santos" in a Roman-Catholic ceremony at the Palacio de La Zarzuela in El Pardo, near Madrid, on Saturday, January 14th 2006.  Leonor's godparents are her paternal grandparents, the King and Queen of Spain.

Leonor is second in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, following her father Felipe.

Infanta Sofía of Spain (daughter of Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia)

Su Alteza Real Infanta Doña Sofía de España is the second born child of the Crown Prince and Princess. She was born on April 29, 2007 at the Clínica Ruber Internacional in Madrid, España. The child was named after her paternal grandmother, Queen Sofía. 

Infanta Sofía was christened on July 15, 2007 in the gardens of the Palacio de la Zarzuela. Her godparents are Paloma Rocasolano (her maternal grandmother) and The Prince of Vidin. Like her sister, she was christened Sofía de Todos los Santos, a Bourbon tradition.

Sofía is third in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, following her sister Leonor, and her father Felipe.




View photographs of the Spanish Royal Family
Stay up to date on all the latest news about the Spanish Monarchy
"It does not do to dwell on dreams, and forget to live" -Dumbledore

Jenee

#1
Other members of the Spanish Royal Family

Infanta Elena

Full name and title
Her Royal Highness Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos, Infanta of Spain, Duchess of Lugo

Who is she?
Infanta Elena is the first child and oldest daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia.  She was born in 1963 in Madrid, and her godparents are her paternal grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona, and His  Royal Highness Alfonso de Orleans y Borbon.

She married Jaime de Marichalar y Saenz de Tejada, the son of the Count of Ripalda in March of 1995, and they have two children together: Felipe Juan Froilan de Todos los Santos (b. 1998), and Victoria Federica de Todos los Santos (b. 2000).

Upon her marriage, Infanta Elena and her husband were granted the titles Duke and Duchess of Lugo by King Juan Carlos I.


Infanta Cristina

Full name and title
Her Royal Highness Cristina Federica Victoria Antonia de la Santísima Trinidad, Infanta of Spain, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca

Who is she?
Infanta Cristina is the second child and second daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia. She was born in 1965 in Madrid. Her godparents are HRH Alfonso de Borbon, Duke of Cadiz, and HRH the Infanta Maria Cristina de Borbon y Battenberg.

Infanta Cristina married Iñaki Urdangarin in 1997, and the couple have four children together: Juan Valentín de Todos los Santos (b. 1999), Pablo Nicolás (b. 2000), Miguel de Todos los Santos (b. 2002), and Irene (b. 2005).

Upon her marriage, Infanta Cristina and her husband were granted the titles of Duke and Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.
"It does not do to dwell on dreams, and forget to live" -Dumbledore