King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia of Spain

[Carolath Habsburg]

 Erm... I read two books she wrote : The one of Empress Eugenie of France and Ena and if this """"biography"""" its like them....yuck! No worthto  read

[Eric_Lowe]

Trashy material from the likes of National Enquirer.

[historyfan]

A few days later a distraught Sofia took the children and stormed out of the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid, the royal couple’s principal residence, and spent 10 days in India with her mother, the exiled Queen Frederika of Greece. Sofia intended to separate but ­Frederika advised her to stand by her man, warning: “Do you want to end up living in the south of France like so many other former kings and queens, being paid to liven up the parties of the newly rich?”

Compared to living with an unfaithful husband and having to spend the last almost-40 years putting on a brave face...this doesn't seem like a bad option, if you ask me.

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...Her name sake and grandmother had to do both.

[grandduchessella]

The book may be Kitty Kelleyish but it does seem common knowledge now of the King's infidelities. I didn't mention the Princess Diana stuff because that seemed too tabloidy. Just from the perspective of the damage caused to the monarchy by the revelations of his affairs (brought to glaring attention after his hunting accident) combined with Inaki's trial, how bad is it for the monarchy in Spain in the public perception?

[Eric_Lowe]

It is well known that the King has a roving eye for the ladies and Diana wasn't the only one. In fact, Queen Sophia makes a lot of of trips aboard and spent time with her family and Greek relatives. The way Queen Alexandra used to do.

[darius]

The book may be Kitty Kelleyish but it does seem common knowledge now of the King's infidelities. I didn't mention the Princess Diana stuff because that seemed too tabloidy. Just from the perspective of the damage caused to the monarchy by the revelations of his affairs (brought to glaring attention after his hunting accident) combined with Inaki's trial, how bad is it for the monarchy in Spain in the public perception?

The Monarchy has been severely undermined bt the "Caso Noos" as the Undangarin scandal is known.  The King´s approval ratings are at their lowest ebb, not helped by his ill fated safari trip.  The fact that the Infanta is also involved in the impropriety is an added negative factor.  In a country with 6 million unemployed, an imploding economy and Cataln independence movements at an all time high it is a difficult situation to rise above.  The Queen´s Christmas shopping trip to London was also criticized.  She apparently spent thousands on daily 8 hour trips to Harrods...  The only figure who appears to be keeping his head above water is the Principe of Asturias who celebrated his 45th birthday last week.  Many monarchists are asking if it is not time to hand over the crown to him to save the dynasty and the crown.  Quite a worrying situation in the midst of economic hell and a generally discredited political class.

[amelia]

If the King had some sense in his head, he would abdicate now.

Amelia

[Eric_Lowe]

I don't think his son is ready. Abdication is not a good thing for the monarchy. I haven't seen any abdication that is successful in Spain, and the only ones have to do with health not age.

[grandduchessella]

Isabella's abdication probably eventually saved the throne for her son Alfonso XII. Constant scandal in the press doesn't help the monarchy much either.

I would hate to think that Felipe, at his age, isn't ready. I think he would be well and able to step up as would his wife.

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Isabella II was overthrown and in exile before she abdicated to her son. The only abdication I could see was Juana's to her son Charles V.

[darius]

In the course of his recent birthday interview, the King himself said that Felipe was  the best prepared Principe de Asturias in history.  I believe that he is prepared and he has the support of a very strong wife.  If the King did decide to abdicate, his health could be a major factor - he appears to be rather frail and has had a series of health scares...

[Kalafrana]

Charles V abdicated as Emperor and divided his realms, but that was not just Spain.

I doubt that Juana abdicated voluntarily at all. We should rather think of a deposition.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

I think there are those who believe she is too strong a wife. Remember Felipe's grandmother Queen Frederica of Greece. I think Queen Sophia found the balance after seeing her mother's example. She is very beloved in Spain (even in Greece too) and I think she should continue. I agree that if Juan Carlos has health issues, he should consider abdicate. However he is a strong character and I do not believe he will.

[grandduchessella]

I think Isabella II was overthrown and in exile before she abdicated to her son. The only abdication I could see was Juana's to her son Charles V.

But if she hadn't abdicated, the restoration of her line probably wouldn't have happened.