King Juan Carlos Announces Abdication: June 2, 2014

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Booing

He is not going to. He already has abdicated. Much luck to King Felipe and His beautiful Queen.

No, he has merely indicated his intention to abdicate.

[Marengo]

I am moaning myself at the moment since I can't get this thing right . At least all recent discussions are back on the TRF page, so that is a start. If I stay calm I hope that I can fix the portal page too.

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Now what I don't understand: will the king abdicate or did he already abdicate? Euronews quotes PM Rajoy and says that he already did.

And if he did abdicate, is Spain kingless at the moment or is Felipe already king?

[Booing]

No, the letter of abdication does not say he plans to. It says that it is his notification that he has done so.

[Booing]

The letter says ..."...en este acto, mediante el cual le comunicó mi decisión de abdicar la corona de España."

By this act I tell/communicate/notify my decision to abdicate the Spanish crown. He does not say he plans to in the future.

[Nico]

There's already a thread dedicated to that event :

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...4-a-36997.html

[Josefine]

is there any live feed so that wecan see the speach?

[PetticoatLane]

I can't help wondering what precipitated this. The really urgent calls to abdicate have passed, the King's health looks somewhat improved from where it was last year, for example.

There really must have been something that's tipped him over the edge. Presumably something damaging to him personally.

I wish Felipe and Letizia success. I know Felipe is quite popular personally, although from what I can gather, Letizia is less so, for whatever reason. I don't think it's going to be easy for them.

[Fanvanmaxima]

He is about to abdicate. He wrote a letter that the wants to abdicate. Date of abdication is not known yet.

[Marika86]

Originally Posted by Josefine

is there any live feed so that wecan see the speach?

Here +24, canal 24h en directo y multicámara - RTVE.es

[Booing]

Relating what I said on the other thread...

The letter says ..."...en este acto, mediante el cual le comunicó mi decisión de abdicar la corona de España."

By this act I tell/communicate/notify my decision to abdicate the Spanish crown. He does not say he plans to do so in the future. He has abdicated. The next steps are that the parliament will accept and then formally proclaim. Beatrix abdicate for a future date. This is different. Felipe is now the King of Spain. Long live the King.

[ANNIE_S]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Now what I don't understand: will the king abdicate or did he already abdicate? Euronews quotes PM Rajoy and says that he already did.

He has abdicated, in the sense that he has signed the abdication letter and given it to the PM:
El Rey abdica: La Casa Real cuelga el documento en el que el Rey formaliza su abdicación | Política | EL PAÍS

But there is a longer process until the abdication is effective, you can see it here (sorry about the news in Spanish, for some reason Google translator is not working for me)
El Rey abdica: Procedimiento de una abdicación | Política | EL PAÍS

[Marchesina]

what a surprise! I mean...recently I've been talking to some spaniards who told me the Monarchy couldn't stand a chance without Juan Carlos and now this news.
I really hope that, just like Philippe in Belgium, Felipe can prove himself as a good King for Spain

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Josefine

what is known at this time. when will ut happen?
will there be a cermony

According to my understanding, there will be a brief ceremony at the Cortes (parliament) similar to King Philippe's in Belgium. The new king will take an oath to uphold the constitution etc. The regalia will be displayed but not worn.
King Juan Carlos attended a special Mass a few days after he became king and wikipedia says that he and Queen Sofia were escorted into the cathedral under a canopy towards two thrones at the alter. Afterward there was a balcony appearance. I am not sure if the same arrangements will be made for King Felipe.

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I understand this calls for a change of the Spanish Constitution.

Does anyone know how the procedure is for such a change and how soon can the chane be in place?
Are we talking years or months?

Muhler, there is no change to the Spanish Constitution. Congress, parliament and senate, is asked if there are questions about the judicial validity of the abdication. If the abdication is legal (basically JC having full mental capacity), the parliament will propose its approval.

The abdication will take effect when is officially published by the government. How long? Besides the fact that I really have no idea (abdication is uncharted territory ), I don't think it'd be too long. This is the head of state after all.

[PrincessofEurope]

Part of me is surpried by this news, Juan Carlos and Sofia always seemed the monarch for life no abdicting image. But his health has been bad in the last number of years and he has had to cut down his role alot. Also there have been many scandals, the hunting trip, Cristina etc.

I guess this has been annoncement has been coming and being prepared over the last few months - Felipe and Letizia havnt been as active in public engagements since Easter and there has clearly been 'behind the scenes' prep for this in regards to them and their future. My guess is maybe they waited until after they had celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary and now that has passed the time has come

Good luck to the new King and Queen and also Leonor who is now the youngest heir (i think) in Europe

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

He has abdicated, in the sense that he has signed the abdication letter and given it to the PM:
El Rey abdica: La Casa Real cuelga el documento en el que el Rey formaliza su abdicación | Política | EL PAÍS

But there is a longer process until the abdication is effective, you can see it here (sorry about the news in Spanish, for some reason Google translator is not working for me)
El Rey abdica: Procedimiento de una abdicación | Política | EL PAÍS

Thanks! So Felipe is still the prince of Asturias until parlament has approved the abdication document. But this will probably be in a few days.

[principessa]

Do you think that Juan Carlos and Sophia are then Prince and Princess of Spain (like Beatrix) or remain as King and Queen of Spain (like Albert and Paola)?

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by Booing

Relating what I said on the other thread...

The letter says ..."...en este acto, mediante el cual le comunicó mi decisión de abdicar la corona de España."

By this act I tell/communicate/notify my decision to abdicate the Spanish crown. He does not say he plans to do so in the future. He has abdicated. The next steps are that the parliament will accept and then formally proclaim. Beatrix abdicate for a future date. This is different. Felipe is now the King of Spain. Long live the King.

He has abdicated but it needs Parliament and Senate approval to take effect.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Jacknch

This thread does not show up on the portal page!

Euronews says that King Juan Carlos will make an abdication speech at 12.30 CET and that he is abdicating for political reasons not health!

Ignore this, Euronews keep changing the time lol

[suztav]

I'm not surprised by the announcement considering JC's health in recent years and the political and personal toll of the Inaki/Cristina situation.

The casareal.es website is down ... probably transitioning the photos, etc ...

Does anyone know if there will be a formal albeit simple ceremony a la Albert/Filip in Belgium?