Roles within the Spanish Royal Family after King Juan Carlos' Abdication

[royal-blue]

Obviously the SRF has a much smaller number of members than the British RF, and engagements are not carried out in the same way, but what does the future hold for the new King's parents and siblings? Will they still appear in public in the same way, or are they more likely to fade into the background? Clearly the SRF won't be a two-person show, but how much familial support will they require?

[princess gertrude]

I believe that patronages for members will not change significantly. At least not for Infanta Elena and Queen Sofia. Cristina could do the whole family a favor and stay in Switzerland until all the court stuff is over. I'm still not sure if we will see King Juan Carlos a whole lot after the abdication/ceremony. This will for sure be an interesting transition. Can't wait to see who stays on in the employee of the new King. I have a thought on that too......King Felipe and Queen Letizia will clean house.

[tommy100]

I think IMO that Juan Carlos will pretty much dissapear from public view (maybe more private hunting trips ;-) !!!) Clearly to start with there will be 6elipe and Letizia but their girls aren't old enough to support them, given we've haleard that Elena and Cristina will no longer be official members of royal house I suspect sofia will be the main support for them with Elen picking up a small number of duties that relate to any patronages she has. I suspect that Cristina will dissapear from view as much as possible as she has done now (tbh since the news of the abdication I've suspected that there maybe some major news about Cristina in the future!).
By the time Sofia is at 'retirement" the new Princess of Asturias will likely be of an age she can take on a little bit more.

[Winnie]

tommy100 = I believe you have a good handle on what SHOULD be done. I hope that the Spanish "black suits" allow new King to set up his own advisors, etc. The next few years in Spain will certainly be something to watch in detail. Here's hoping for a wonderful recovery to a special country with new King.

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

I believe that patronages for members will not change significantly. At least not for Infanta Elena and Queen Sofia. Cristina could do the whole family a favor and stay in Switzerland until all the court stuff is over. I'm still not sure if we will see King Juan Carlos a whole lot after the abdication/ceremony. This will for sure be an interesting transition. Can't wait to see who stays on in the employee of the new King. I have a thought on that too......King Felipe and Queen Letizia will clean house.

Cleaning house would be good way to start! Letizia has appeared more relaxed to me since the King abdicated than ever before, and I would bet this is why.

[princess gertrude]

Originally Posted by Emmily

Cleaning house would be good way to start! Letizia has appeared more relaxed to me since the King abdicated than ever before, and I would bet this is why.

I completely agree about her being more relaxed.

[Terri Terri]

Originally Posted by Emmily

Cleaning house would be good way to start! Letizia has appeared more relaxed to me since the King abdicated than ever before, and I would bet this is why.

I think that she's more relaxed because finally the king's decision to abdicate was finally made known! Imagine, knowing that for the past 5 months and what was going on behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition. I still think that there was more to this abdication than meets the eye...time will tell! I posted a link to an article in the abdication thread which states that the government will ensure immunity for King Juan Carlos after his abdication. One wonders why he requires that kind of immunity when he will no longer be king! He has made sure that his a$$ is covered...that's for sure!

As for F&L cleaning house...well, there's an old saying - Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Those people who have worked for the king for years know a lot about the royal family! F&L are going to have to be very careful about ruffling feathers!

[lula]

It is inevitably that things change... first because the head changes, and belongs to another generation and has a personality and a different way of working.

Zarzuela was for many years militarized, after diplomats began to replace some military ... but for example there are no women in any important position, and that for Spanish society in the XXI century is hardly acceptable.

Then there is the issue of age... there are people working in Zarzuela exceeding the statutory retirement age, but have remained at the wish of king and queen, and now probably retire. Others will follow in the coming years .

[Duc_et_Pair]

In essence little will change at the Spanish Court, apart for a new, more transparent style and more openness. But regarding the royal family: remember that only around the end of the 1980's the three children of King Juan Carlos started to take part in official duties. Before that they were studying or were in the armed forces.

Already since the re-introduction of the monarchy, the Royal Court was very small: the King and the Queen, and their three small children. So now and then the parents and the sisters of the King were in the picture. From the beginning on Queen Sofía kept the old structures away: there was no new role for the Spanish aristocracy. Old traditional functions in the Royal Household, like Dames du Palais or Chamberlains were not re-introduced. With all possible criticism the Spaniards have on their royal family, they often seem not realize how lean and mean, how compact and how well-organized their Royal House actually is, compared with other European monarchies...

[Charlotte_Aster]

Any news about the new apanage situation?
Will the old Kings contimue to receive apanage? Or just represntation fees?

[Duc_et_Pair]

I believe the King receives one budget for the workings of the Royal House (a very modest budget, comparable with Luxembourg...) and distributes this within the members of his House. There is some fixation within this budget, the King around € 230.000 and the Heir around € 130.000. It is expected that the Budget will remain the same but that -naturally- the distribution will change as the Heir is just a little child and there is a former King now.

[Bine221]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

As for F&L cleaning house...well, there's an old saying - Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Those people who have worked for the king for years know a lot about the royal family! F&L are going to have to be very careful about ruffling feathers!

Well, if you are working for the Royal Family, the first Thing you are Doping is signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement..... this means: I am NOT ALLOWED to talk about what has happened during the years of working relationship....
(Although I know, that some servants in the UK wrote their books anyway or sold some stories to the press)
BYe Bine

[Duke of Marmalade]

My guess is that JC will fade into the Background and spend Time Outside Spain,possibly with Corinna. Felipe is Not only a Mamas Boy but he will also Need Sofia for continuing her Events and Add to the Reputation of the New srf with her Reputation and Standing,Sofia is still popular and Respected. Leonor and Sofia jr will Not Become working members for another 15 years.

[royal-blue]

Are the new King's siblings now viewed as minor royals?

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Charlotte_Aster

I know it's off topic, but just for clarificaition, tommy:
Infanta Elena won't give up her good causes, in fact it was announced that she will be taking the workload off the Princess of Asturias til she is of age and perform her duties.

I am so happy about this. I always personally liked Elena and know she will be a great asset in helping young Princess of Asturias. To me she always had kind eyes.

[GracieGiraffe]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Thanks! I find this hard to believe to be honest since Elena is no longer a member of the royal family and not even able to keep up her own agenda for the royal house. To me it makes more sense that F&L cover for Leonor until she gets old enough to do her own events.

At least she has a role covering for Leonor- who I assume won't take on duties until she is fully finished her studies. In this day and age, she might not be done until her mid-20's.

But it is too bad that the SRF operates on these technicalities.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by GracieGiraffe

At least she has a role covering for Leonor- who I assume won't take on duties until she is fully finished her studies. In this day and age, she might not be done until her mid-20's.

Officially or not, I think Elena will carry out the role of the lead supporting royal. Outside of F&L, and possibly Queen Sofia, Elena will be the most active royal. She will conduct a range of engagements on behalf of the crown.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by muriel

Officially or not, I think Elena will carry out the role of the lead supporting royal. Outside of F&L, and possibly Queen Sofia, Elena will be the most active royal. She will conduct a range of engagements on behalf of the crown.

I find it hard to believe that Elena, whose events will not be covered any longer from casareal, will respresent Infanta Leonor, the future heiress to the crown.

Sorry, off topic, maybe a moderator can move this discussion to
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ion-37046.html

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I find it hard to believe that Elena, whose events will not be covered any longer from casareal, will respresent Infanta Leonor, the future heiress to the crown.

Sorry, off topic, maybe a moderator can move this discussion to
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ion-37046.html

Princess of Asturias should start combining engagements and school. Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morroco has been doing it for some time. He alongside his parents and sister participated in state banquets and undertook various solo engagements.

[fandesacs2003]

Leonor? at 8y old doind official duties? too young i think. CP of Belgium is doing, but she is much older, the Pcs of Orange also.