King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, Current Events Part 21: May 2011 - April 2012

[Baroness of Books]

I never knew that Juan-Carlos accidentally shot and killed his brother. If his brother was 14 at the time, what was his age? What a tragedy, especially when these siblings were so young; I'm really surprised he could pick up a firearm after that. And his grandson at 13 is illegally handling firearms; does this family want another tragedy to unfold? Thank you for the article, Al bina.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by Baroness of Books

I never knew that Juan-Carlos accidentally shot and killed his brother. If his brother was 14 at the time, what was his age?

The incident took place in March of 1956, meaning Juan Carlos was 18 at the time.

There have always been conflicting accounts of the Infante's death. Initially, there was no word of the elder brother's involvement; the Spanish Embassy issued an official statement according to which Alfonso died in a shooting accident while cleaning a revolver. Later, conflicting accounts appeared, the most widespread version is that the gun was held by Juan Carlos when the shot was ired.
- According to Josefina Carolo (dressmaker for the Countess of Barcelona), Juan Carlos pointed the gun at Alfonso and fired, unaware that it was loaded.
- Helena Matheopoulos (an author who personally spoke to Infanta Pilar) said that Alfonso was not in the room when Juan Carlos was holding the gun. Supposedly, Alfonso pushed open the door, knocking Juan Carlos in the arm, which resulted in him accidentally firing the pistol.
- Bernardo Arnoso (a friend of Juan Carlos) confirmed that it was Juan Carlos who pulled the trigger unaware the pistol was loaded. He added that the bullet ricocheted off the wall, hitting Alfonso in the face.

[Baroness of Books]

Such mixed accounts give an aura of scandal and coverup, IMO. This is such a horrible tale and to cause the death of one's sibling is not a light burden to carry. It's with mixed feelings that I thank you for the explanation, Artemisia.

[Artemisia]

There is a thread dedicated to the unfortunate event - Tragedy of the death of Juan Carlos' brother Alfonso.
You'll probably find a lot more detailed information there.

[Baroness of Books]

Thank you; I've never concentrated on the Spanish royals but now all these recent events and this past history have piqued my interest. I'm heading to that thread now.

[EIIR]

Wasn't this 'mistress' considered a "representative" of the King of Spain when she was in Saudi Arabia in 2007?

Also according to this newspaper, in April 2006, Princess Corina accompanied the King and a Spanish delegation to Saudi Arabia in an official state visit as Strategic Adviser Delegation.

Corinna fue recibida como

If there's any truth in this whatsoever, then it very much is the business of the Spanish people.

[CarolynHarris]

The recent hunting accidents in the Spanish royal family and the history of hunting as a royal pastime

King Juan Carlos of Spain and the History of Royalty on the Hunt | Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by EIIR

Wasn't this 'mistress' considered a "representative" of the King of Spain when she was in Saudi Arabia in 2007?

Corinna fue recibida como

If there's any truth in this whatsoever, then it very much is the business of the Spanish people.

I have no idea if she has business interests in Spain but the Arab Countries have close ties to Spain, JC has been the key to many mult-billion business deals eg on infrastructure for Spanish companies. Saudi money has always been important for JC personally, they are close allies and helped to keep the transition into democracy going, and for Spanish business. For that reason alone nobody will ask questions I guess. Sofia will have some decent saudi jewellery gifts in her box.

By the way, the trip to Saudi Arabia was in 2006 and Sofia was present too. Same goes for a trip to Qatar in the same year, JC travelled in official capacity with Sofia & Corinna was part of the delegation as far as I can recall.

[NotHRH]

Originally Posted by CarolynHarris

The recent hunting accidents in the Spanish royal family and the history of hunting as a royal pastime

King Juan Carlos of Spain and the History of Royalty on the Hunt | Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian

IMO, I think many royals' arrogance shows in their love of hunting. Just sayin'.

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by NotHRH

IMO, I think many royals' arrogance shows in their love of hunting. Just sayin'.

Do you feel this way about all hunters or just those who happen to be royal.

[LadyFinn]

The former head of, José Antonio Zarzalejos wrote yesterday about the relationship between the king and Corinna. In article in Bekia it is said that Zarzalejos says that "Don Juan Carlos is overwhelmed by family problems," referring not only to marriage with the Duke of Palma, also with his own wife, with whom they are said to live "virtually separate lives."
The journalist said also that the Queen "is usually absent from Spain for London where 'she feels at home with her brother Constantine and her nephews.'" Zarzalejos adds that "Don Juan Carlos credits his wife much of the responsibility for 'unsuitable marriages' of their children."
In mid-February, the newspaper El Pulso published information that during the lunch that the king held with his children alone, without the presence of the Queen, the king explained the "special friendship" she had with Corinna and the importance of the woman in his life.
The Royal House denied that that was the reason for this strange lunch.
King's private life, like health status, have been taboo for nearly all of the Spanish media, which have not dared to speculate about the intimacies of Zarzuela ... until now.
José Antonio Zarzalejos insinúa que el Rey Juan Carlos mantiene una relación sentimental con Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein - Bekia
Google translation

[doric44]

Botswana has the most elephants in the world the limited legal and expensive hunting is done in national parks and 100,000 + acre game preserves. and employs many locals who would otherwise illegally poach the elephants and other animals at will.
decimating their numbers to put food on their family's tables. the hunting keeps the numbers at manageable levels to maintain balance in the local ecology. employs locals at the resorts and lodges and the money also goes to preserving the animals. on these game reserves and national parks for tourists who wish to shoot them with a camera or a gun

king Juan carlos hunting is actually furthering to protect the animals and is doing far more to conserve them and protect them .then those who have expressed outrage over him doing so

as for him spending the money to go on this trip while his country is in economic crisis. well he didn't cause the crisis incompetent social and economic policies in span did by politicians not HM Juan Carlos and is using his own money to pay for it so he is free to do with his money what he likes.

[NotHRH]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Do you feel this way about all hunters or just those who happen to be royal.

I think so for all hunters, but especially royals. Their attitudes tend to be arrogant to others and to those animals they hunt for pure pleasure. Royal blood does NOT exist and royal titles only exist on paper

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by doric44

Botswana has the most elephants in the world the limited legal and expensive hunting is done in national parks and 100,000 + acre game preserves. and employs many locals who would otherwise illegally poach the elephants and other animals at will.
decimating their numbers to put food on their family's tables. the hunting keeps the numbers at manageable levels to maintain balance in the local ecology. employs locals at the resorts and lodges and the money also goes to preserving the animals. on these game reserves and national parks for tourists who wish to shoot them with a camera or a gun

king Juan carlos hunting is actually furthering to protect the animals and is doing far more to conserve them and protect them .then those who have expressed outrage over him doing so

as for him spending the money to go on this trip while his country is in economic crisis. well he didn't cause the crisis incompetent social and economic policies in span did by politicians not HM Juan Carlos and is using his own money to pay for it so he is free to do with his money what he likes.

Can you provide the relevant sources which specify the use of private funds being used by the King for the trip and it's associated 'leisures'?

I'm ill at ease with the killing of elephants being used as justification to make the killing of such animals into a tourist like sport. A sport that also costs a large sum of financing in order to partake. Certainly, a new term for 'bloody money'. No doubt numbers need to be maintained but making a spectacle of it for the wealthy and bored is rather sick.

The King wasn't looking to kill for the benefit of the elephant population, rather, he wanted to kill for the pleasure it gave him to do so. As an honourary president of the WWF he has neglected the ethical and moral expectations of the said appointment and should be removed as a consequence.

[Lady Felicity M]

Carlos and sofia's marriage has always ben a "difficult" one but think deep down the still love each other.... deep deep down!

[doric44]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

Could you provide releveant sources which specify the use of private funds having been used by the King? Thanks.

I'm ill at ease with the killing of elephants being passed off as a method of preservation and thus is used as justification to make the killing of such animals into tourist like sport. A sport that also costs a large sum of financing. The King wasn't looking to kill for the benefit of the elephant population, rather, he wanted to kill for the pleasure it gave him to do so. As an honourary presdient of the WWF he has neglected the ethical and moral expectations of the said appointment and should be removed as a consequence.

if your ill at ease with it that's your problem... do you not understand that many of the wildlife preserves and national parks exists because of hunting tourists?
these poor countries use the revenue generated from these managed hunting expeditions for elephants and other big game animals. to preserve them and keep them in the wild in national parks and reserves.

and they are managed and are not decimated by illegal poachers they can be watched over and protected by game wardens. whom are paid by the revenue generated by the hunting tourists. so people like you can say "oh isnt it great we still have lions and elephants and rhinos" HM juan Carlos by spending 45,000 bucks or whatever the amount was .

has helped to employ people who manage these animals protect them breed them and ensure they are still in the wild for years to come it may unsettle you but this is managed conservation...or if you would like them to stop the hunting then please by all means donate millions of dollars a year to do the same thing the hunting tourism does

[Madame Royale]

if your ill at ease with it that's your problem... do you not understand that many of the wildlife preserves and national parks exists because of hunting tourists?
these poor countries use the revenue generated from these managed hunting expeditions for elephants and other big game animals. to preserve them and keep them in the wild in national parks and reserves.

and they are managed and are not decimated by illegal poachers they can be watched over and protected by game wardens. whom are paid by the revenue generated by the hunting tourists. so people like you can say "oh isnt it great we still have lions and elephants and rhinos" HM juan Carlos by spending 45,000 bucks or whatever the amount was .

has helped to employ people who manage these animals protect them breed them and ensure they are still in the wild for years to come it may unsettle you but this is managed conservation...or if you would like them to stop the hunting then please by all means donate millions of dollars a year to do the same thing the hunting tourism does

What a "gentleman" like tone

It would appear you were unable to provide the relevant material to support your unsubstantiated claim re private financing. And it's not uncommon for people to get deffensive when they are unable to impart the factual evidence to support their intital statment so never mind. I understand.

[doric44]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

What a 'gentleman' like tone

It would appear you were unable to provide the relevant material to support your unsubstantiated claim re private financing. And it's not uncommon for people to get deffensive when they are unable to impart the factual evidence to support their intital statment so never mind. I understand.

King Juan Carlos is a wealthy man and an avid hunter. he has the financial ability to Pursue his Hobby and pastime .and has in the past bear hunting so why would this hunting expedition to africa be any different prove to me he didn't

[Madame Royale]

It is your opinion that he financed his attendance on the hunt/s himself. It's not a publically disclosed fact and thus you are in no position to state that it is; as you have here done.

[Mermaid1962]

He's supposed to be a constitutional monarch. Ergo, couldn't the prime minister and the cabinet stop him?

Originally Posted by Charlotte_Aster

Although I agree with many points of the article, I have to ask who can stop him?