Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Meg - Although all European Monarchies at the moment are constitutional. I think the Spanish King has more powers than the British Monarch and the same goes for the Dutch Monarchy. Yes the King was a good diplomat, I made a point that King JC was the only reigning monarch to be voted as one of the most influential Europeans of the century in an FT poll currently running. They would not have done so if he had not made smart political decisions with regards to Spains Democracy. Compare his strategy to the Military coup to his brother in laws in Greece. And for that he needs to be commended. Only the future will know if Felipe will ever reign, same with Charles over here. Que sera, que sera!
 
I don´t agree with Sean King Juan Carlos has made a good diplomatic work.

May I ask why? I was actually referring to political decisions, but I think he's been a very good diplomat as well, particularly in securing a kind of Latin 'axis'. The King does have more political power than most of his European counterparts and more than many ceremonial presidents.

He also has the loyalty of the military which is important in Spain.


S
 
I speak a very bad English and I forget a comma sorry. I mean that Juan Carlos is a good diplomat, but I know pretty well the Spanish Constitution and he has almost no power.
 
i don't think it will be abolished. however, spanish royals are not very popular...
it's a pity... sofia is, imo, one of the best queens in europe.
 
Originally posted by carlota@Apr 5th, 2004 - 4:17 pm
i don't think it will be abolished. however, spanish royals are not very popular...
it's a pity... sofia is, imo, one of the best queens in europe.
They seem as if they are really popular with the people right now. I read somewhere that they are being hailed as the "People's Monarchy".
 
Originally posted by Gabriella@Apr 5th, 2004 - 5:24 pm
They seem as if they are really popular with the people right now. I read somewhere that they are being hailed as the "People's Monarchy".

I read this in a BBC article, about the Spanish royal family being hailed as "the people's monarchy." It was about how members of the royal family were the only ones to reach out and console the grieving family members after the memorial mass while members of the government stood around watching. (The article added that members of the government felt that they couldn't comfort the grieving families because they were partly responsible by chain of actions, such as supporting the U.S. alliance against terrorism and then sending Spanish troops. I am not sure that I completely believe this, but it is what the article said. Personally, I think the government should've been the first people to comfort the grieving families.) But in this way, the monarchy acted as the bridge between the government and the people.

As unfortunate as the events of March 11 were, and in no disrespect to I mean to demean the horribleness of those terrorist acts or the sad loss of lives, but the subsequent actions taken by the family the day of the terrorist attack and in the weeks after leading up to the memorial mass have shown the Spanish people how important and special their monarchy is. All members of the royal family showed tremendous compassion and sympathy with those who were hurt and/or those who lost family members, friends and loved ones. Even the "newest" (not technically official yet, I know) member of the royal family, Letizia showed tremendous concern and compassion.

I read that according to the Spanish press, they were most impressed with Queen Sofia during these weeks. She is normally quite stoic and unaffected emotionally by things, or at least does not show her emotions easily, but during the memorial mass she was the one member of the royal family who cried the most. I know that crying the most doesn't mean anything, but it does show how affected Her Majesty was by the event.

And also, I think that however opposed some of the Spanish people felt about Letizia becoming their future Queen this coming May, Letizia's actions and her behaviour at this time certainly demonstrated that she is capable for the task at hand. She may not be the Spanish people's perfect ideal of a future Queen, but in her own way and with her own style, she is capable. In a way, I think it was a trial by fire for Letizia, and certainly from what I have read and seen, she passed the test.
 
Giving credit where credit is due, I think it was through one of Alexandria's posts on another thread where I got the information of the People's Monarchy. But you are very right and your post was very well said.

It's unfortunate that it takes something as horrible as a terrorist attack for people to finally understand that what they have is great, and what a huge asset the Spanish Royal Family is to the people. I remember much of the same sentiment said in the US after September 11th.

I myself was quite impressed by their actions in the days following the attacks. A royal family is usually so stoic and held together. For them to be visibly upset and affected by the attacks shows to me how much they truly care for their country and their people. In King Juan Carlos' eyes you could see pain and grief, as if a close loved one had just died. Cristina openly weeped and Sofia went out of her way to console family members. I gained a new respect for the royal family after seeing all of those pictures.
 
read that according to the Spanish press, they were most impressed with Queen Sofia during these weeks. She is normally quite stoic and unaffected emotionally by things, or at least does not show her emotions easily, but during the memorial mass she was the one member of the royal family who cried the most. I know that crying the most doesn't mean anything, but it does show how affected Her Majesty was by the event.

I think that is very interesting, Queen Sofia has always been a very open and compassionate Queen; whether it is cryingly consoling the mothers of dead soldiers or playing with children with AIDS. :flowers:

And also, I think that however opposed some of the Spanish people felt about Letizia becoming their future Queen this coming May, Letizia's actions and her behaviour at this time certainly demonstrated that she is capable for the task at hand. She may not be the Spanish people's perfect ideal of a future Queen, but in her own way and with her own style, she is capable. In a way, I think it was a trial by fire for Letizia, and certainly from what I have read and seen, she passed the test.

I don't think Letizia could have done any different. :blink: :flowers:
 
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Queen Sofia has been quite compassionate the last few years, I saw her cry a few times in public, however, general public just didn't pay much attention before until now. Queen Sofia has always been the 'perfect Queen', she definitely has the highest respects from most of the Spainards, but she has never been 'popular' in Spain. Before Felipe's engagement, the only things interested Spanish media were Felipe's love life and Elena's marital problem, both could be quite negative at times. The media/population really didn't pay much attention to all the wonderful works the RF family had done over the years.
Letizia probably will never be the 'perfect Queen' Queen Sofia is, but she has the chance to be more popular than Queen Sofia (Beauty and Style definitely helps in the 'popularity' contest). Some people might not like her (lots of them are actually from the internets), but majority people in Spain are willing to give her a chance (my relatives and friends all said so). Right now there is tremendous interest at whatever she does, this probably had never happened to any member of the RFs before. Her engagement suit becomes the hottest fashion this spring, there were mothers talking about their young daughters wanting to wear suit jackets and high heels, trying to be like Letizia, everywhere Pertegaz went, people wanted to know how her wedding dress looked like, numerous books about her and the prince (people really tried to cash in), someone was even talking about a musical show about their love story ....
I don't think the CP job is any difficult for her, just hope she is happy about her role and doesn't find the CP job very boring (personally I think those princess jobs are quite boring), and they can keep each other happy.
 
"Queen Sofia has always been the 'perfect Queen', she definitely has the highest respects from most of the Spainards, but she has never been 'popular' in Spain. "

Thats a surprise to me. Well I guess she has the benefit of being a Kings daughter and gets on with the job. People will always admire professionalism. She's not the most beautiful and elegant but its her work that sees her through. its abit like Princess Anne in the Uk not the prettiest and not the most elegant and certainly quite rude, but asked time and time again who the nation prefers to take over when the Queen dies its Anne. Her hard work and luck of scandals has seen her through.

One thing to remember the Spanish press is heavily censored. I never realised how much untill the recent bombings, and thats why most of the negative comments on Letizia are aired on the internet no Editor of any newspaper will dare print what they know or hear. In the Independent article that was mentioned it was stated that attacking the Royal Family (The King and Queen) was like attacking Democracy in Spain because the King was so integral to its flourishing after Franco. Thats why the phrase Juan Carlistas. You will never read anything about his affairs or how the monarchy spend their £40 million + , here in the UK its open season. The attacks on Letizia are lame because of the tightly controlled press can you imagine if William were to get engaged to a Letizia type girl? If the King and Queen of Sweden are trying to end Victoria's relationship that should give you some idea of the risk Felipe is taking, all one can hope for is that Felipe's gamble pays off like Haakons. But Norwegian and Spanish societies are completely different. Felipe can not be assured of the same treatment his Father has received from the press, one because in the communication age people will get their news from different sources so it makes it impossible to control every channel making news management almost impossible. Indeed when his Father steps down God help that child and lets hope Letizias past does not come back to haunt her. Monarchy is not based on someones pretty looks.
 
Let's not start in on the "Spain is heavily censored" arguement. No one has been able to prove this, and it just provokes nasty arguements. Unless someone can provide proof, please do not use this arguement for the popularity of the Spanish Royal Family and Letizia.
 
Fireweaver...you know I love you!!! I do. I don't think it will cause arguments. I don't have any proof, but everything we see points to extreme censorship in Spain.

You are the best Fireweaver, please don't yell at me!

Sheba (one "e"), lol
 
love you too sheba with one e :)
Unfortunately, that particular phrase has caused problems. If people can back up that with proof, then by all means use it and have a good discussion :)
 
Fireweaver - if Spain is not a heavily censored country why after the bomb attacks did citizens of Madrid have to surround the Prime Ministerial Palace demanding to know the truth complaining that they had to read the international press to find out what was really happening up untill that time every Spanish newspaper said it was ETA why - Aznar called them up and told them to say so and they did. If you do media monitoring go back and look at all the international press there was a subtle difference, from the minute the bomb went off they had 2 suspects and cast doubt on whether it was truly ETA - thats just political suicide. Fireweaver I was like you when people used to say Spains heavily censored, I used to say naah its jsut the usual stuff untill the recent bombings. In Italy you have the Berlusconi effect.

Secondly did it not puzzle you that after the announcement of Letizias engagement her divorce was buried in the middle pages of all editorials?????????? Thats no coincidence any other country in Europe the headline would have been - Prince marries divorcee. And lets not forget that Spain is a conservative country. Instead the media spin was she's a modern girl, professional, capable and beautiful ehheehhmm with a past!!!!!!!!!!! Thats why everyone rushed for the internet to air their views. One arena the Palace can not control.
 
The debate about Spain being censored has been a rather disagreeable mess here at LTR. Our stance has been if you cannot prove your accusations with factual evidence, please do not make it. You can find this in a number of threads here at LTR. If you disagree with this policy, please take it up with an administrator or myself off the boards. Thank you.
 
Fireweaver if you do not accept the proof I have given you over the treatment of the Madrid Bombings as proof of Spains heavily censored press then I think you need to look up the definition of the word proof. I only wish I had a link to the editor of EL PAIS when he said he was told to put ETA on his front cover. The only paper that dared to disagree was the socialist paper. In the end in life you believe what you want to believe and see what you want to see. I guess you are one of those people who will be fed with link after link after link and proof after proof after proof and will still say no Spain enjoys the same freedom of Press as the US. Even here in the UK we demand to have the same freedom of expression as the Americans have enshrined in their Constitution. We atleast are not blinded by power or the glamour of monarchy to assume that we have a free press. It would be helpful if some had the same healthy dose of sckeptism. And not just reiterate the PR that is fed to them. We saw the same thing happen in the US when FOX NEWS pretty much turned itself into BUSHIES publicity machine in the run up to war and we now witness the dangers of people not bearing up to scrutiny and asking the right questions.
Why are we not allowed to discuss press coverage of the Spanish Monarchy? Is this back door censorship? And why has this descended into chaos? If I say that the Italian Press is 90% owned by Berlusconi who happens to be the Prime Minister and therefore we can assume Italians are barely fed any negative press about the ruling political party - thats a fact about freedom of expression. You can have a grown up debate about that. Why should that turn ugly. If I say Spain as a 25 yr old democracy has a censored press that finds it hard to criticise the monarchy because 1) the King and Queen have done a bloody good job and they are inextricably linked with Democracy in Spain and 2) The coverage of Letizia was biased and thats why most murmurs are in internet chat rooms - why does that have to be aired privately.
I really do wish we Europeans learnt more from America in our confidence in being able to speak freely and not just put statutes in our constittution about free press whilst only paying only lip service to it. And this issue about press freedom is something I feel VERY STRONGLY ABOUT. Working within in the media industry myself no one should have the right to censor someone else's speech particularly if it is in the public interest. And since this thread is about the future of the Spanish Monarchy the role the media plays and who own the media is crucial in any modern democracy today. As anyone that has followed the events in the UK will tell you.
 
Sheeba, I have already told you that if you have a problem with what I have said, take it up with me privately.
 
I have emailed you privately, but to me that is not Democracy or Freedom of Speech. Lets talk about the beautiful gowns how pretty they look, lets have a meaningful discussion about Democracy, the role of monarchy in a future Europe and the Media - oh no! As adults we can't handle that!!!!!!
 
Fireweaver the topic is
"The future of the Spanish Monarchy, will the monarchy be abolished"
Lets atleast agree on something.
Points that have so far been made - the role of media in the debate on monarchy.
IMO why this is relevant to the debate:
1) If the monarchy is drugged through the mud scandal after scandal like the British Royal Family. It loses support amongst its citizens and inches closer to a republic because its seen as a wasteful institution that is self indulgent and not workign in the interest of its citizens that is why all monarchies work hard to get the right PR. Including the Spanish monarchy. Where I come from that equals relevancy to the debate
2) Will Spain be a republic - as respondents in this forum have stated Democracy and King Juan Carlos are firmly rooted in the minds of Spainards. If Spain is to be a republic most definetely not whilst he is ruling. He and the Queen have done a good job and the British Royals can learn from them. Still on topic so far.
3) Since the latter part of the question "will the monarchy be abolished" is in the future tense that automatically brings into question the Crown Prince and yet again how the Media will treat him and his wife. The comparison often made is the Spanish press don't dare air the Kings affairs or how the Royal Family spends its money but will they do the same for Felipe when the King hands over? That will depend essentially on how successful his marriage will be. Why the issue of censorship is to be raised because you asked for proof of Spains free press - how the bombings and the engagement of the Crown Prince were covered were provided as examples. I think thats still on topic...
 
That wasn't what I was refering to sheeba, and I refuse to discuss this with you publically anymore. Take it up with me via pm, but if it finds it's way to the board, I will refer this thread to an administrator.
 
What were you referring to? And please do refer it to the administrator as I would like a response as well.
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3516111.stm

When this site learns democracy and free press I will rejoin the forum. Its unfortunate that we in the media have to continually fight for free press. I hope thats conclusive proof about the lack of press freedom in Spain, which this site also seems to have. It might bring to end the apparent ugly arguments that have been had on LTR. Please use it as proof next time as to why Europe needs to emulate the States abit more in their freedom of expression.

Perhaps Bear - you'd like to define what the topic of this forum is? And provide the arguments conclusively for it.
 
This site is not about democracy or freedom of speech. We provide a medium to discuss all things royal. If you want to discuss the failings of freedom of the press, there are other sites more suited to that.

Thanks for your contributions to the community.

:grrr:
 
Spaniards hate Letizia because she's vulgar,divorced,etc....

Letizia is a very cold woman,I'm sure she'll never be queen...In Spain everybody think it.
 
Originally posted by electrivicki@Apr 8th, 2004 - 1:57 am
Spaniards hate Letizia because she's vulgar,divorced,etc....

Letizia is a very cold woman,I'm sure she'll never be queen...In Spain everybody think it.
Interesting...

So, every single person in Spain hates her? Every single one?

Everybody thinks that she will never be Queen? Everybody?

Interesting, indeed.

I don' t know.....I find it hard to believe that she has not one single fan in all of Spain. I could accept her not being liked or very well received by a vast majority, but every single member of the population of Spain? I am not sure about that. However, who am I to judge? I'll let you do that since you appear to know everything about Letizia, the people of Spain, and who knows what else?
 
Mostly of spaniards hate her,the aristocracy thinks she's vulgar...Infanta Elena didn't want to see her in the family :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: .Everybody knows this in Spain...

It's truth...There are spaniards like Letizia,but millions os them hate her...
 
Originally posted by electrivicki@Apr 9th, 2004 - 1:56 am
Mostly of spaniards hate her,the aristocracy thinks she's vulgar...Infanta Elena didn't want to see her in the family :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: .Everybody knows this in Spain...

It's truth...There are spaniards like Letizia,but millions os them hate her...
I can't take your word for it. It seems to be more of a rant and perception than a fact. You seem to have many words, but no words with examples. Where are the articles that prove this? Where are polls taken and participated in by Spaniards that prove this? I like to see some evidence, as much of it as possible-very much.
 
Spaniards prefer a royal princess as princess Magdalena(the favourite princess in Spain),

In Spain a divorced woman as future Princesa de Asturias is something impossible,repugnant...
 
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