The Dukes of Lugo Announce Separation (2007) & Divorce (2009)

[Empress]

YOu might be correct giov, I will have to do some more research, but in my Roman Catholic upbringing, I was taught that children of an annulled marriage were considered illegitimate. I will get back to you with what I find.

None the less, there are no grounds for annulment that we know of, and I can't imagine after such a long and fruitful marriage that there would be.

[Count]

Originally Posted by Empress

YOu might be correct giov, I will have to do some more research, but in my Roman Catholic upbringing, I was taught that children of an annulled marriage were considered illegitimate. I will get back to you with what I find.

None the less, there are no grounds for annulment that we know of, and I can't imagine after such a long and fruitful marriage that there would be.

What giov writes is right: The children born within marriage keep the status of legitimate also after the annulation of the marriage of their parents

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by donnaK

...[snipped]
I don't believe Elena or Zarzuela would use Jaime's drug problem (if there is any) to pave the way for the divorce and the marriage annulment. Jaime is still her children's father and is respected and loved by their two kids. It would be quite scandalous for the SRF too if Jaime did do drug. Anyway, Jaime should definitely file a lawsuit against this magazine if the story is a lie.

I fully agree with you. There is no need to aggravate the already execrable situation children have encountered due to the separation of their parents. I think that Infanta Elena or the Spanish Royal family are not that desperate to get a divorce. Thus, they will not go to extremes to obtain the annulment. Additionally, chances of Infanta Elena's children to ascend the throne are very slim.

[pamk]

Remember what Caroline of Monaco went through to get her marriage to Philippe Junot annulled? It took many, many years - she wanted to legitamize her children by Stefano -

[Duke of Marmalade]

I don't think seeking for annullment is a good idea after years of marriage and 2 children. They would have to give a good reason what would be subject to scandalous gossip. Then, they would be accused of - see grevinnan's post - taking advantage of their position, money, connection in order to get their request granted. Why shouldn't they divorce quietly, like eg Joachim & Alexandra did? Elena is not heiress to the throne, so what?

I think they actually have to be careful of not overdoing it. A smear campaign against Jaime is the last thing Spain needs. Elena has a well paid part time job now, she's making around 200.000 Euros, moved into a new house and should be quiet, do some duties and take care of her children. I think she (and Cristina, btw) are privileged enough and should not openly ask for another privilege - a quick annullment granted by the Vatican - and benefit again from their royal connections.

[mapian]

Los Duques de Lugo niegan que hayan iniciado trámites de divorcio | Gentes | elmundo.es

Dukes of Lugo's lawyers denied, in a note sent to the agency EFE, that Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar have begun a process of divorce or marriage annulment, also denied the motives broadcast by Epoca magazine for the separation and reserve take legal action against the magazine.

[PrincessofEurope]

LOS DUQUES DE LUGO DESMIENTEN, MEDIANTE UN COMUNICADO CONJUNTO, QUE HAYAN INICIADO TRÁMITES DE DIVORCIO

[pamk]

I don't think that the Vatican would allow a speedy annullment of this high-profile marriage - it would show favortism. As I stated above, the Vatican dragged its feet for many years regarding Caroline of Monaco's request for an annullment. I think that Princess Grace was working on this when she died. I believe that it was well after Stefano's death when the annullment finally came through.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by pamk

I don't think that the Vatican would allow a speedy annullment of this high-profile marriage - it would show favortism. As I stated above, the Vatican dragged its feet for many years regarding Caroline of Monaco's request for an annullment. I think that Princess Grace was working on this when she died. I believe that it was well after Stefano's death when the annullment finally came through.

I'd rather see sense in Caroline's request than in Elena's if there is any. Junot was clearly not interested in the kind of relationship / marriage Caroline or the church would have in mind. It was bound to fail, therefore short and did not produce any children. Very different to Elena's relationship / marriage to Jaime. We must not forget that they - according to pictures - had very happy times, showing them at ease and truly in love. It was only in recent years - well after Jaime's stroke - that there was a visible strain.

[Boni]

Spanish newspaper ABC has a short article in which it says that Jaime de Marichalar will sue Epoca due to the allegations published in past days. It is clear that regardless of your station in life, aristocrat (like Jaime de Marichalar, consort of the Duchess of of Lugo) or commoner (like Telma, Princess Letizia's sister), everything has a limit and there is a point in time in which you cannot afford to ignore harrassment and the invasion of one's privacy. Interesting, since Jaime was and still is part of the Royal Family (at least until something definite happens); Telma never was. Some suggested she should just take it or hide away (for how long exactly?). Obviously, Jaime has also felt that that was not an option and decided to fight back. Good for him.

Jaime de Marichalar defenderá su honor en los tribunales - ABC2_Casas_Reales - ABC2 - ABC.es

[pamk]

I just hope that all of this stuff in the press is kept away from the children -

[Carminha Stalker]

I do hope the annulment will not be the way out for this marriage. My main concern is for the happiness and emotional stability of their children.I remember how long it took for Princess Caroline to get an annulment of her marriage to Philippe Junot.
As to the Epoca article about Jaime, if it´s not true I think he should definitively sue them.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by Boni

Spanish newspaper ABC has a short article in which it says that Jaime de Marichalar will sue Epoca due to the allegations published in past days. It is clear that regardless of your station in life, aristocrat (like Jaime de Marichalar, consort of the Duchess of of Lugo) or commoner (like Telma, Princess Letizia's sister), everything has a limit and there is a point in time in which you cannot afford to ignore harrassment and the invasion of one's privacy. Interesting, since Jaime was and still is part of the Royal Family (at least until something definite happens); Telma never was. Some suggested she should just take it or hide away (for how long exactly?). Obviously, Jaime has also felt that that was not an option and decided to fight back. Good for him.

Jaime de Marichalar defenderá su honor en los tribunales - ABC2_Casas_Reales - ABC2 - ABC.es

What allegations have been made against Jaime?

[Boni]

Originally Posted by TLLK

What allegations have been made against Jaime?

Please see the article in 20Minutes below.

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/415262/borbon/marichalar/cocaina/
elplural.com - PERIÓDICO DIGITAL PROGRESISTA

According to this article, Epoca published that Infanta Elena had alleged Jaime de Marichalar did drugs. They did not interview neither Infanta Elena nor Jaime de Marichalar, the Royal House denied the information, basically they just came up with the allegation and went ahead and published it.

It has become a habit with certain segment of the press to publish distortions, allegations and outright lies. In the time that the Princes of Asturias have been married we have been innundated with all type of allegations: the Princess cannot have children, the Princess is anorexic, the Princess had artificial insemination and is having a boy, Infanta Leonor is deaf, etc. etc. etc. Since the Royal House has pretty much allowed these rumors and others to run unchecked, I guess they feel pretty safe saying whatever comes to mind. Of course, all this sells really, really well and since the Royal House has done practically nothing, they thought they could continue doing so with impunity. Hopefully, this will change.

[Boni]

Quick question, will there be a separate thread open to discuss Jaime de Marichalar lawsuit against Epoca (like Telma's in Telma Ortiz' Case Against the Paparazzi Press) or will the discussion/updates on the legal case will take place here? Thanks.

[biboquinhas]

I really think they should get divorced as soon as they can. If they really want the divorce, they are separed already... so way delay things more???? This situation is good for the press start inventing stories, so they need and they should get their divorced as soon as possible! I cannot understand why they don't take this decision. Their kids know already that they are separeted, they live in different houses, they don't share anything, so why delay things???I cannot understand If they don't have their situation solve they should do that, because they are married persons and they don't live together, they are separated, they don't share anything more 8only the kids of course), so why still married???

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

I really think they should get divorced as soon as they can. If they really want the divorce, they are separed already... so way delay things more???? This situation is good for the press start inventing stories, so they need and they should get their divorced as soon as possible! I cannot understand why they don't take this decision. Their kids know already that they are separeted, they live in different houses, they don't share anything, so why delay things???I cannot understand If they don't have their situation solve they should do that, because they are married persons and they don't live together, they are separated, they don't share anything more 8only the kids of course), so why still married???

I believe that this is a decision that only they can make. No one else's business. If you have ever been through a divorce, you would realize everything is not cut and dry.

[RhapsodyBrat]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

I really think they should get divorced as soon as they can. If they really want the divorce, they are separed already... so way delay things more???? This situation is good for the press start inventing stories, so they need and they should get their divorced as soon as possible! I cannot understand why they don't take this decision. Their kids know already that they are separeted, they live in different houses, they don't share anything, so why delay things???I cannot understand If they don't have their situation solve they should do that, because they are married persons and they don't live together, they are separated, they don't share anything more 8only the kids of course), so why still married???

I can't understand why you need to be so harsh. I know that you do understand that Elena and Jaime are two grown-up persons who understand the consequences of their actions, much more so since they have children. You think they should get divorced right away, they need to get divorced right away? Well, that is not for you to decide, it's for Elena and Jaime to do so. Who knows if this is only a trial separation, that they may still be trying to patch things up, and that they can't do so by living in the same roof? Only they know what is the best outcome they can agree upon, and they will do so in their own. They don't need people telling them what to do.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

I really think they should get divorced as soon as they can.

I agree, mainly because of the upcoming gossip. Besides, I believe divorce it what Elena wants. I have said it before, the Royal House had NEVER announced a separation if there was the slightest chance of reconciliation. They could have remained married and lead separate lifes (probably Zarzuela's preferred solution) but it seems this wasn't an option for Elena. Given they are the Dukes of Lugo and not Mr & Mrs Average things will take time as a divorce is a delicate topic in royalty, but it's pretty obvious what result will stand at the end. The pictures have told their own story over the past years anyway - they both looked miserable at most times and will have tried and tried and tried to avoid the unthinkable for the SRF - until Elena reached her point of no return and moved out with her children. When looking at her now she has clearly blossomed since the sepraration and is looking for a new and more joyful chapter of her life where Jaime is not included any longer.

[giov]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

I really think they should get divorced as soon as they can. If they really want the divorce, they are separed already... so way delay things more????

I agree, if they both want to divorce and they are already separated, there's no need to wait, IMO.