King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia of Spain

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...I think he is qualify to say such words since he does lives in the country, while we do not. I also think the most important thing is how the people view the monarchy as an institution. Some of our friends predicted doom just because of the inter-marriages to commoners (your complain included), but I think it is more to do with the will of the people. Spain has changed much from the country that Juan Carlos took over. It is the future that is the most impoartant aspect.

[Eurohistory]

Our friend has not interviewed such a large number of aristocrats to make a solid blanket statement.  This I have even told him personally.  It remains his opinion, san opinion which I respect, but not always agree with.

I never predicted the doom of royalty for marrying commoners.  My dislike of this practice has always centered around the fact that the old notions of "dynasty" and other traditional aspects of the monarchical institution are on the way out.

Arturo Beéche

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...One is allowed one's opinion.

The dynastic aspect I agree is growing thin, and there is a real concern that for royalty blending too much into the masses is a dangerous trend. It dimishes the mystique and remotes of the throne.  :-/

[Eurohistory]

Of course you are allowed your opinion, no is is cheating out of the right to do so.  But if you are going to state your opinion, or someone else's for that matter, as fact, then you ought to be readyt o defend it with fact, the facts on which the opinion was based.

As for royalty...when royals turn into VIP celebrity-style personalities, it is my opinion that they begin to walk a thin line courting popularity in this way.  How many celebrities from  three decades ago have been forgotten?  Countless...celebrity is a passing fancy, a fancy held by the people at large.  once that fancy is oovercome, celebritydom banishes and is forgotten.  I hope, pray, that royalty does not fall prey to this sickness.

Arturo Beéche

[pentetorri]

As long as Royals keep marrying commoners they are running the risk that they will become as "common" as any of us and Monarchy as an institution will loose all its mystique . And then what would be the difference of having a Mr. Smith or Mr. Perez on the throne than a Bourbon-Ortiz?

It is not a question of snobism or racism but of the very essence of Monarchy, the sense of history, tradition and hereditary right is being lost. At the very least the heir or heiress to the throne should try harder and look for a Royal to marry and continue the tradition. They must remember that tradition is nowadays the main reason they stay on their thrones, because with some exceptions as in Monaco, they do not have any real power. So to represent the country's history and tradition they should be the very embodiment of these values. Juan Carlos , even though some questionable chapters of his personal life,  has done a great job and Queen Sofia has been instrumental in that success, but Spanish society is advancing very fast and it is my personal view Felipe is not fit for the challenge.

[Eric_Lowe]

You state that quite nicely.  

However I won't go that far to say that Felipe is not up to the job, but there are concerns the monarchy is moving into celebrtyism. It is my hope that Felipe can lead the monarchy into a new era.

[cimbrio]

My mom was at University in Santiago de Compostela and when I ask her what was the general reaction at Franco's death, she always says: "Corks flew out of windows".

[Lucien]

Your mother is right Cimbrio,corks flew everywhere,it was good ridence to a black episode in the history of España,Franco and Salazar(Portugal) were the two last fascist critters to be moved from here to the afterlife(if they got any-).It was hard to imagine at that time,how and in which way Spain's promised democracy would develop and would the military stay put.Now,30 years after,we can see the result,and HM role in that accomplishment.

30 Years of the Reign of Don Juan Carlos,a tribute:
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/2/0,1872,2396802,00.html

(only in german,sorry!)

Btw,Cimbrio,today we had a warning that some military still think they are THE guys who know all about running a state.I hope the Luietenant-General will be stripped of his rank.It is for guys like him Spain has to be aware,that Franco and the twits legacy still live on in some quarters,unfortunately.

[Lucien]

Both doña Sofía and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands do like to sport big coiffures...

Arturo Beéche

They do don't they...:
http://www.seegerpress-online.de/seegerpress-cgi/topixx?op=preview&ID=1084554044&str...

http://www.seegerpress-online.de/seegerpress-cgi/topixx?op=preview&ID=1084575607&str...

[Luke]

for the native spanish speakers, can you notice an accent in Queen Sofia's spanish here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Pinq3ThQc&search=los%20reyes

[lady]

They don't talk a lot in this video to make an assurement on their accent, but I think both speak Spanish as a Spaniard would do, you wouln't say both were born in foreign countries. It would be better to listen a larger speech.

[darius]

As a long term resident in Spain and a fluent Spanish speaker I would say that when listening to Queen Sofía speak one notices that she is not a native speaker of Spanish. While she speaks with correction and little accent her intonation is rather English or perhaps a little Prussian!

[lady]

Sure, Queen Sofía has a foreign accent but she speak as a Spaniard would do, I mean, we in Argentina speak Spanish with a quite different accent, different pronouns and conjugation of verbs.

[Eurohistory]

Accent-less Spanish or not, HM does a fantastic job as Queen of Spain, and that is what truly matters is it not?

Arturo Beéche

[morielaw]

Yes.  HM does have a bit of an accent, but her Spanish is spontaneous and fluid.