King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia of Spain

[grandduchessella]

I have followed this with interest though it's not really my area of interest.

I have a friend who is Greek-American and married to a Greek and every time we'd talk about the Greek monarchy he'd curse about QF and say how she was a Nazi.

My question is, how widespread is this belief and to what is it ascribed? Did it detract from the monarchy's popularity?

[isabel]

The position of the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick towards nazism was not very easy. In 1934, Hitler asked them (bias the General von Ribbentrop), to make an approach to England, this approach was based in a project of marriage between Federika and the Prince of Wales (the future Eduard VIII), who seemed to be a sympathizer of the nazis of Germany.

Victoria Louise, the mother of Federika, related: "My husband and i were unhinged about it, we answered Hitler that in our opinion the difference of ages between Federika and the Prince of Wales impeded a projet like this, and also that we were not disposed to press our daughter.

Federika wrote in her memorys:

"My father was not a sympathizer of the nazi´s movement, but he couldn´t say it openly. We had a lot of people working in our house and several of them were agree with nazis. Some of them were fanatics, others not, but we had to be very careful with all our coments......"

"One day, two women come to my house, to talk with my parents, it was a law that all the young people had to join the Hitlerain´s youths, and those women arrived to remember this to my parents. One day per week, i was obliged to wear those uniforme...."

[Eric_Lowe]

I don't know but I heard that Viktoria Luise was a "real" nazi sympathizer (at least in the begining)like some of her brothers.  

[isabel]

Perhaps you are right, and Federica wrote this to excuse her mother.......We will never know.

[Eurohistory]

Indeed...the Treaty of Versailles was an abomination.  When the armistice was signed between the fighting powers Germany was promised a peace without victors...and quickly thrown to the wolves by the ambitions of the French and the lethardy on this matter of the English, while the Americans stood there and allowed this to happen.  The Second World War began at Versailles after the signing!

Hitler did indeed arrive into a bleak political void to lead a people who were desperately trying to find themselves.  He fully took advantage of these issues and made away with power.

By the early 1940's most of the royals who had initially seen promise in his movement had abandoned it.  A very few remained loyal to the end.

Arturo Beéche

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...I think quite a lot chose to shut their eyes to reality. Only a few supported it until the end. However only a few did something about it. Princess Andrew of Greece was one of those who chose to risk her life to make a difference.

[palimpsest]

I don't know Eric.

I heard that they first married in the Orthodox Church, then she converted to Roman Catholicism and they married a second time. In doing so, she relinquished her rights to the throne of Greece. Is it true?

[Eric_Lowe]

I think so...Although I heard that Sofia took it quite hard when she knew she had to leave the church of her youth. However I think she is now well ajusted to Catholism.  

[palimpsest]

Yes, you must be almost right.
A small detail. I heard that in Venezuela [almost 100% Catholic country] two nuns converted to orthodoxy and started a monastery and an orphanage. The queen visited Venezuela and was very happy to see those orthodox nuns in such an unexpected place. I heard those nuns say “the queen is orthodox”… they were probably wrong.

[SSKENDER]

I don't know Eric.

I heard that they first married in the Orthodox Church, then she converted to Roman Catholicism and they married a second time. In doing so, she relinquished her rights to the throne of Greece. Is it true?

No, Sofia was still Greek Orthodox for both services.  There were two services, one Catholic and one Orthodox, which happened one after another the day of the wedding.

Sofia did not "convert" until after her marriage, while on her honeymoon, and on international waters, so as not to offend the Greeks.

She relinquished her rights to the Greek throne not so much b/c of becoming Roman Catholic, but b/c she married a foreign prince of another nation and thus would have to undertake her duties as a Princess of another nation.

Regards

[QueenEna1887]

Does anyone have any more childhood photos of Queen Sofia maybe of her as a baby or with her as a kid with baby sister Irene?

[pentetorri]

I totally agree with you!!!!!!they are better than the Windsors  and far better than the Grimaldis...maybe the Danish Royal Family "matches" them
Laura

I think there is too much idealism regarding the Royal Family of Spain. Specially, due to the fact to the lack of information about the family. It is true, in Spain, there is a kind of agreement between the press and the Royal family. We do not hear of scandals, like in the case of the Windsor, not because they are the brady Bunch but because all scandals are censored.
Typical case is the inheritance of the Duke of Hernani, a disappearance from Museo del Prado and apropiation and sale of hundreds of masterpieces by the King and his sisters. If this "incident" would have happenned in England, well, the press would have had a feat. Or for example the problems of the Duke of Lugo.

Certainly, they are impecable in regards to their royal duties and appearances but I would say not better than the Windsors or Grimaldis. They have better PR.

Some of the comments on the Queen are excessive, but not too far from the truth. It is my personal opinion the monarchy will not survive beyond Juan Carlos. Spain is not a monarchy in spirit. It was a useful institution after Franco to keep the country together but not anymore. There is a strong need in the country to become a XXi century modern nation and I think the Bourbon will not have a place in it.  Sadly, but true. It could sound a contradiction but the Windsor have a better chance.

[Laura_]

oh well that was my personal opinion too:)i think they are nice and decent;to me they are still better than the Windsors and Grimaldis  ;)and they are also Modern enough (as opposed to the Windsors)
of course the monarchy will live under Juan Carlos and will survive under Felipe too...not to mention sweet Leonor but this is again my personal opinion


Laura

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...I tend to agree. The Spanish royal family was so strong because of the love and respect for Juan Carlos and Sophia. Felipe will have to win his support, and that is an unknown factor of what kind of King he will be. Also because of their unquestioned prestige, the King & Queen was able to battle the opposition forces of the aristocracy, who hated Queen Sophia. The absence of them at Felipe's wedding was not accidental. Also as you said, Spanish society is changing, and it will see if the Royal Family can adapt to that.

[Eurohistory]

Their Majesties have shunned the old aristocratic families, many of whom remained loyal to the Royal Family (particularly don Juan) during the long years of exile.  

Perhaps the King felt that it would be better for his position to be more in touch with the people and less with a court that would ostracize him from his subjects.

I know a friend Mr. Lowe and I share always says the Spanish aristocracy "hates" doña Sofía, but Eric, that is our friend's opinion, not proven fact and I would hesitate to go about repeating it as fact.

Arturo Beéche