Retrospective of the Spanish Royal Family

[Ennyllorac]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

I love the Spanish royals; they are my most favourite family on the whole.

But I absolutely cringed when I saw these pictures of the young Spanish royal family.

They sort of remind me of the Von Trapps -- only fewer of them!

Ok that caused a chuckle here! I know I have said this before but I always got a sense that the Spanish Royals are very down to earth.

[meac]

I hope they like

[rchainho]

Thanks. May you meant this "I hope you like them" no?

[biathlon22]

some more pictures

[Elsa M.]

I've realised some of you had posted some dispersed photos from Juan Carlos and Sofia's young days, namely before marriage, so I merged them with this existing thread. Please feel free to post more photos, if you wish to.

Another one, from Hola:

[Elsa M.]

From Sofia to Sofia:

[rchainho]

Originally Posted by Elsa M.

I've realised some of you had posted some dispersed photos from Juan Carlos and Sofia's young days, namely before marriage, so I merged them with this existing thread. Please feel free to post more photos, if you wish to.

Another one, from Hola:

great photo. Have you got more?

[Elsa M.]

Another couple of photos:

[biathlon22]

Juan Carlos, Sofia, Anne Marie

[Elsa M.]

Here are the links to some photos posted at our gallery:

Posted by Jo:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/ugala/gallery/files/4/4/h.jpg


Posted by Pdas:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/ugala/gallery/files/2/1/5/2/0000178607-002.jpg
http://www.theroyalforums.com/ugala/gallery/files/2/1/5/2/0000305253-002.jpg

Posted by Rchainho:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/ugala/gallery/files/5/0/1/8/614ffdb9.jpg

[Elsa M.]

October 1971 – in Iran, for the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire, by Cyrus the Great

[Elsa M.]

I can't open the link, but thanks anyway, Sue! :)

Here's another family photo... not the most flattering of all, particularly to the young Infantes, but it's nice to see how their looks have evolved.

[Sue-]

Puh, I've found some more great pictures today. Here are some different ones and I hope they haven't been posted yet By the way, I found all at google.

[Elsa M.]

I loved the one with Juan Carlos and Sofia attending bullfight... Queen Sofia is famous for not going to las ventas and I thought she had never attended la fiesta nacional!
It seems she did, after all...
I believe this photo is precious, Sue! Thanks for posting :)

[Sue-]

A last couple of photos

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

is it the first colour picture or the last black and white one?
if it is the last one it seems like a long time ago.

Yes, it is the last black and white. She is indeed a vegetarian and very sensitive about animals, that's why she doesn't attend bullfights. That photo is probably from the time of their wedding (1962) and that was probably the only time Sofia accompanied Juan Carlos to la fiesta...
Felipe and Letizia also went to bullfight a couple of days before the wedding... I believe that's a way of somehow blessing the couple.

[rchainho]

Originally Posted by Elsa M.

October 1971 – in Iran, for the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire, by Cyrus the Great

where did you find these photos?

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

the attending of a bullfight before a wedding and it being a way of blessing the couple, do you know what symbolises what, it must be an ancient pagan belief (surely not religious).

I can't give you an extended explanation, since I am not an expert, but I believe it is part of an initiating ritual; first of all, it has a social/political nature (as you know, bullfight is a quite relevant cultural manifestation in Spain, so when someone is going to enter the Royal Family, it is somehow important to be welcome among the community); secondly, it has a cultural/ethnic nature, since the bullfighter ends his performance dedicating the death of his bull to the happiness of the couple, so he gives them his beret, together with his blessings.

Somehow, I believe it has some resemblances with some ancient pagan rituals of emulation... But then again, I'm not an expert; perhaps it would be better if a Spanish member could explain it...