A Spanish Christmas

From Hello:

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will no doubt be doting over their new grandson this year at the Zarzuela Palace. Their younger daughter, the Infanta Cristina, gave birth to her third son, Miguel, just a few months ago.

Christmas is usually sacred for the Borbons and their three children, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren. The family gets together for dinner on Christmas Eve, then lunches together on the 25th after attending Mass.

It is a typical yuletide gathering, with the grandchildren profiting from the spacious gardens that surround the palace or opening presents while their families look on. Some years, however, the two infantas spend Christmas with their in-laws.


In Spain, there are two days of present-giving - Christmas Day and "Reyes" (a reference to the gift-bearing Three Wise Men), which falls on the eve of January 5-6. And as the Spanish monarch's birthday falls on January 7, it is a double celebration. He is back in Madrid by then, having enjoyed a week or so skiing in the Pyrenean resort of Baqueira-Beret, sometimes with the family, sometimes without

[Chanel]

It in a way seems that the Spanish Royals have all but a spectacular running of Chrismas events. Most likely because it seems to be a quiet occassion for thier Majesties and the family.

Usually christmas will start out Chrismas Eve Mass, followed by Lunch or Dinner with their majesties.

Chrismas day is spent with the Infanta's respective in-laws, yet the Infantas will return home to La Zarzuela in the evening to have dinner with the King and Queen once again. The family will most likely attend yet another mass for the Christmas day later in the evening. And of course Juan Carlos and Sofia will dottingly admire their five beautiful grandchildren.

It seems that there is also a military chrismas event also? It looks as though HRH the Prince of Astrius and his parents attend this without thier sisters who are at this time out of Madrid with the in-laws. If anyone knows anything, please feel us in.

I don't have many photos at all, I used to have a ton and for some odd reason they have disappeared off the hard drive :(

Hope that this slight explanation will hold you over in the mean time :).

Happy Holidays.

Chanel

[Chanel]

I will however leave you with my two offical SRF Chrismas favorite photos.








The Kings and their grandchildren..... love this photo:

[Chanel]

Group Photo:

[xicamaluca]

It seems that there is also a military chrismas event also?

I belive that you refer to the "Pascoa Militar" (Easter military celebration) at Jan 6 I never understand well what it was, only that is a very ancient tradition in the Spain. Every Jan 6, the royal family (i belive that there was sometimes that the Infantas attend, maybe when they weren't married ) reunite with representants of all branches of the army and members of the goverment, in the Royal Palace. The King always make a speech and them there is always a lunch after the cerimony.

Another thing different in the Christmas in Spain is that the don't open the gifts either in the Christmas Eve, or in the Christmas Day. They only open the gifts in the "Dia de Reyes" (Kings Day - celebrates the day that "Magical" Kings arrive to Bethlehem to offer the gifts to baby Christ), also at Jan 6. So, in Spain, you open yor gifts after the New Year Eve :P In the "Dia de Reyes" there is always a parade of somepeople dressed like the "Magical" Kings (normaly some famous people) to entertain the children. Is realy cool, when i was younger i participated in one. They trow candys from the allegoric cars, there always flowers and alot of fun :flower:

[Chanel]

Thank You X,

Are there any photos?

[Alexandria]

Last year, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia forwent a Christmas card with their grandchildren and opted for one of just the two of them.

[lorenamaite]

This card is wonderful, thank you for posting it Xicamaluca :flower:

[moosey60]

That's so cute! Especially Froilan with his big smile. Juan isn't smiling...looking off. Pablo is very cute in that picture. They've all grown so much! Miguel is sweet :) It's so cute how the sets of siblings are all wearing similar clothes.

There's Froilan and Victoria with green sweaters and plaid pants/skirt.
Then there's Juan, Pablo, and Miguel with their blue shirts, dark bottoms, and red shoes.

[Alexandria]

Both of Elena's kids really have her and the King's curly hair, don't they?

And Froilan and Victoria's outfits are adorable -- so festive!

[paulette]

colourpress.com

Madrid, Spain - Princess Cristina with her husband and children in Vitoria, Northern Spain, for the Christmas holidays. Photo: Euroimagen





I would just like to ask if in what palace does the royal family celebrate their Christmas?

La Zarzuela?? or they have a palace wherein they will go for holidays??

[Chanel]

Paulette,

I would like to think that they would have the holidays in La Zarzuela. Maybe X, our lovely La Zarzuela informer could fill us in.

[joytotheworld]

Spanish Christmases are beautiful and extremely fun. I think that they spend their holidays in La Zarzuela..

[willwindsor62182]

Thank you for posting.

[ILoveCristina]

This is a really great picture !! Thanks for posting it!