The Abdication of King Juan Carlos: June 18, 2014

[lula]

El Rey firma su abdicación - YouTube

El acto de abdicación del Rey - YouTube

Los gestos de Letizia a las infantas - YouTube

King Juan Carlos I Signs Official Abdication Papers

King Juan Carlos I Signs Official Abdication Papers - Pictures - Zimbio

[samitude]

I wish Letizia would break with tradition tomorrow and pull out a tiara! That would be a break in the best way. :)

[Dman]

I saw a sense of renewal in the Spanish Monarchy in the ceremony and I think that will be felt even more at the ceremony tomorrow.

[Al_bina]

King Juan Carlos abdicated | Blogs•Spletnik.ru

The atmosphere is cordial fake. The Spanish royals leave an unpleasant impression.

[cmbruno]

The Royal Palace is absolutely beautiful. (I was there less than a month ago). I hope we get the chance to see more of it tomorrow.
JC and Felipe were very elegant, wearing their Orden del Toisón de Oro. I particularly liked JC's light pink tie.
The cerimony was simply but beautifully done.
Sofia looks very pensive here La abdicación del Rey Juan Carlos I (what must this woman have endured..) and I felt sad for JC here Proclamación de Felipe VI: El Rey firma la ley de abdicación | Fotogalería | Política | EL PAÃ�S

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I saw it live on the NRK web, a very simple, dignified and touching ceremony.

[maria-olivia]

The King is suffering alone , no look to Queen Sofia who was his Queen for 39 years!
and the banned infanta Christina . Pathetic !!

[ANNIE_S]

I thought the Ceremony was as it should be: short, simple and dignified, with the extra touch of being very very moving.

The King looked as he was about to cry, and Felipe was quite moved too. The moment when KJC returned to his chair after the signing and they both hugged and switched seats, and the long, long applause... Everything was very touching.

And both my girls Leo and Sofi behaved like the little princesses they are. They were very sweet.

And the Royal Palace looked as stunning as it is. I really love the Hall of Columns.

Now I officially can´t wait for tomorrow

[chuchu]

Originally Posted by ladongas

Surely he has been the most consequential monarch of the last half century. What a man.

I agree. He changed Spain's history.

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by lula

Photos

El Rey firma su abdicaci?n - Juan Carlos I abraza a su hijo... | Espa?a | EL MUNDO

Oh my goodness, the first picture!

[wyevale]

Despite the quibbles with his romantic life, and PERCEIVED collusion in the Noos affair, Juan Carlos will go down in history as one of Spains greatest monarchs, a man who guided his country from an antiquated military dictatorship to a modern vibrant democracy. His wife as played her difficult hand faultlessly and has proved herself as great as he.

I hope and pray King Felipe V1 and Queen Letizia have a great and glorious reign, and that Spain will prosper and flourish anew !

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by Isabella

I just watched the video of the ceremony and thought that, although it was very simple, it was also very moving. You could really see the emotion on Juan Carlos' face (it seemed like a very bittersweet moment), and I could see Felipe taking it in, too. I certainly thought it was very touching when Juan Carlos and Felipe switched chairs and there were hugs and kisses exchanged - having such a simple ceremony really makes such moments stand out. And I noticed that Letizia seemed to have her eyes on her daughters throughout much of the ceremony, which I thought was very sweet.

I agree. Couldn't help but feel for him as he stood there while being applauded and wondering what was going through his mind. His walk surprised me. I didn't realize how frail he was. What a day.

[carlota]

quite emotional indeed.
i think everyone should value JC for rescuing spain from dictatorship. that was something spain owes to him incredible amounts for. however, i feel he should have stepped up more firmly with cristina and iñaki upon their involvement with corruption. it's a shame he leaves even before the decision on their fate is taken, as it taints his image quite a lot.


an anecdote of today: letizia was keeping an eye on the infantas, and when she realised they weren't holding their legs together while seating, she gestured to them very discreetly putting her hands together on her lap to indicate this to them. elmundo has a video. they call it "letizia's secret language with the infantas"

Los gestos secretos de Letizia a sus hijas, las Infantas Leonor y Sof?a | loc | EL MUNDO

the infantas are extra cute. so well behaved and elegant, they are rather adorable. and didn't elena look just magnificent! what a beautiful dress she chose.

[tdarlene]

I thought the ceremony was just ideal for all of them. I was emotional watching the King so frail and he was applauded. Whether you like King Juan Carlos or not, as a King I think he made a magnificent job, and one can not deny his role to establish the democracy in Spain.

[royalistbert]

Four minutes then the reign of King Felipe VI begines.

[ANNIE_S]

And, accordingly, the Casa Real webpage is supposedly being changed at 12:00, with the new Royal Family

[royalistbert]

Well it's time. I wish HM King Felipe VI and HM Queen Letizia all the luck.

[Cris M]

00h00 in Madrid. God Save King Felipe VI!

[ANNIE_S]

All the luck and a long and happy reign to King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

¡Viva el Rey!

[wyevale]

God bless and preserve them, and bring success to them and to Spain {Hereditary enemy of my country tho' it may be ! }