Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, Current Events Part 10: June - July 2005

Elsa M. · #1 06-22-2005, 07:05 PM

Welcome to the new thread for news and pictures about the Princes of Asturias. The old thread can be found at:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=231022#post231022

Have fun! :)

lucys · #2 06-22-2005, 10:07 PM

In reference to some of the comments on the last thread regarding whether or not Spaniards are monarchists—some posters seem to think that it's a question of Juan Carlos as a person versus Felipe as a person. It is not. Many people in Spain viewed the parliamentary monarchy that was established after Franco died as a compromise, not as an ideal—this is a philosophical and ideological issue, not a "personality" issue. Spain's political history in the 20th century is highly complicated and highly volatile, and many of those same issues still linger in the contemporary political scene. Some people think the establishment of the parliamentary monarchy was good for what is known as "the transition" (from dictatorship to democracy) but that it is time for another transition. Unlike in other European countries, there are also regional political parties in some Autonomous regions interested in all out independence. As an interesting aside, Spain's political structure is considered one of the most, if not the most, decentralized in the industrialized world.

The complicated and fascinating political situation in Spain is why I personally find it so interesting to watch Felipe and Letizia—they have very real political and social issues to navigate that are quite complex. Looking pretty in a fashionable hat is insufficient and meaningless in such a situation. Unlike with some crown princely couples in securely established monarchies, being nice and looking nice is not enough--Felipe and Letizia simply don't have the same leeway, they have very different pressures from some of the other couples and they need to work seriously in the public eye and behind the scenes to consolidate the parliamentary monarchy as the governmental system of choice, without ever seeming to do so. It's a difficult, fascinating and very very serious challenge.

Well, that's my opinion at any rate.

Here are a few images from today from Reuters via Yahoo.com—interestingly, in this town in which the Republican Party of Catalonia had a little protest, almost 3000 people came out to greet them:

carlota · #3 06-22-2005, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucys

In reference to some of the comments on the last thread regarding whether or not Spaniards are monarchists—some posters seem to think that it's a question of Juan Carlos as a person versus Felipe as a person. It is not. Many people in Spain viewed the parliamentary monarchy that was established after Franco died as a compromise, not as an ideal—this is a philosophical and ideological issue, not a "personality" issue. Spain's political history in the 20th century is highly complicated and highly volatile, and many of those same issues still linger in the contemporary political scene. Some people think the establishment of the parliamentary monarchy was good for what is known as "the transition" (from dictatorship to democracy) but that it is time for another transition. Unlike in other European countries, there are also regional political parties in some Autonomous regions interested in all out independence. As an interesting aside, Spain's political structure is considered one of the most, if not the most, decentralized in the industrialized world.

The complicated and fascinating political situation in Spain is why I personally find it so interesting to watch Felipe and Letizia—they have very real political and social issues to navigate that are quite complex. Looking pretty in a fashionable hat is insufficient and meaningless in such a situation. Unlike with some crown princely couples in securely established monarchies, being nice and looking nice is not enough--Felipe and Letizia simply don't have the same leeway, they have very different pressures from some of the other couples and they need to work seriously in the public eye and behind the scenes to consolidate the parliamentary monarchy as the governmental system of choice, without ever seeming to do so. It's a difficult, fascinating and very very serious challenge.

the democracy after franco wasn't really a compromise. king juan carlos had to accept all the fascist rules and literally "put his hand" on them as a sign that he accepted them when he was crowned future king of spain. when tejero's "golpe" (coup) took place, the king had some kind of "compromise" with the people supporting franco to accept it. however he did not, and that is why today spain is a democracy and why many spaniards are grateful to juan carlos, therefore call themselves "juancarlistas" but not monarquics (sp?) or felipistas.

lucys · #4 06-23-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlota

the democracy after franco wasn't really a compromise.

I did not mean to imply that a "democratic" government was a compromise, I meant that the form that government would take was. Some people wished for an all out Republic, and some of Franco's old cohorts wished for something less representative.

In any case, more photos from Sabadell, in which elperiodico describes their welcome by the town's people as "euphoric". Via Imagine Scandinavia (1 of 2):

lucys · #5 06-23-2005, 10:12 AM

Imagine Scandinavia 2 of 2

rchainho · #6 06-23-2005, 10:25 AM

thanks lucys for the photos.

lucys · #7 06-23-2005, 10:39 AM

Today they preside the annual meeting of the Board of Patronage of the Prince of Asturias Foundation.

Next Wednesday they go to Almeria for the 25th anniversary of the Astonomical Observatory of Calar Alto, in which they will visit the observatory and meet with a group, of scientist and astronomers.
http://actualidad.terra.es/articulo/...lar_368064.htm

Elsa M. · #8 06-23-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucys

Today they preside the annual meeting of the Board of Patronage of the Prince of Asturias Foundation.

According to the Royal House's website, as well as the Prince of Asturias' Foundation, only Felipe will attend it.

See this thread:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...982#post230982

lucys · #9 06-23-2005, 10:50 AM