WEDDING FLOWERS: Spanish Royalty
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Showing posts with label Spanish Royalty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spanish Royalty. Show all posts

State Visit Sparklers: Israel to Spain

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You don't need to get overly excited here. As the King and Queen of Spain hosted their first incoming State Visit since February, there were only ever really two options on the tiara table for the banquet that Felipe and Letizia hosted for the President of Israel and his wife at the Royal Palace in Madrid on the night of November 6th 2017. As Queen of Spain, Leti has only ever cracked out the Floral Tiara or La Buena and given the state of her country right now, bringing out all the bling was never an option. So settle back and enjoy the sparkle of Letizia's diamond flowers, part 9843.



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The tiara's history is well known. Let's start with the bit no one minds talking about. The tiara was originally made for Maria Theresa of Austria when she became the second wife of King Alfonso XII in 1879. It's the work of British jewellery firm, J.P. Collins, and it features some really rather lovely flowers made entirely of diamonds set on gold and silver. Floral tiaras are a common find in European royal collections and they do tend to go with absolutely everything. So far, so very flowery.






 
But the other part of this tiara's back story is more problematic. It left the Spanish Royal Family at some point in the 20th century - they went into exile in 1931. It arrived in the modern Borbon jewellery box back in the 1960s when Franco bought it as a wedding gift for the then Princess Sofia of Greece as she wed Juan Carlos, the man who would be king. Sofia liked it a lot as did her younger daughter, Infanta Cristina, who wore it more often than most and chose it for her wedding tiara when she wed Inaki Urdangarin in 1997. Since her husband became king in 2014, Letizia has made this a bit of a go to piece of her own.



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So there was no surprise seeing it sparkle into action again tonight. This is a rare public appearance for Felipe and Letizia whose agenda has been sparse since the start of October and the disputed independence referendum in Catalonia which led to the region's leaders declaring independence and Madrid imposing direct rule ahead of fresh regional elections on December 21st. King Felipe has made several speeches about the crisis, with his comments sparking much debate, especially as he made no reference to the almost 900 people injured when Guardia Civil moved in to try and stop the referendum taking place on October 1st 2017.




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This State Dinner is one part of a very low key State Visit for President Reuven Rivlin and his wife, Nechama. The visitors arrived to an official welcome on the morning of November 6th 2017 before going on to a private lunch with Felipe and Letizia. The King of Spain and the President of Israel also held an audience during the day.



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 The two day trip comes to an end on November 7th 2017 with an event hosted by President and Mrs Rivlin for their hosts and that will also mark the end of Felipe and Letizia's agenda for the week. We can expect appearances in the coming days from King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia but both relatively low profile. Which is the best way to sum up Letizia's look for this latest State Banquet. If a gala look could be described as under the radar this is it. Which is why the appearance of the old favourite floral was so expected. Welcome, but expected.

Sofia, the strength of the Spanish monarchy

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It's probably fair to say that Sofia, Queen of Spain has had happier birthdays. As she celebrates turning 79, no doubt with friends and family around her, she's not just contemplating another year done and another to come. Her royal house is facing one of its toughest tests to date with many months of tumult ahead. In the midst of this, Sofia remains the strength of the Spanish monarchy.


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That can be seen in the comments left on the official Twitter account. In the weeks since the disputed independence referendum in Catalonia and King Felipe VI's controversial speech in which he didn't mention the almost 900 injuries incurred as Guardia Civil tried to close polling stations on October 1st, the replies to the tweets sent by @CasaReal have been less than flattering. With one exception. The message shared as Queen Sofia presented an award was followed by comments about how well she carries out her role. While the Spanish monarchy attracts the ire of those angry with the whole establishment, Sofia is singled out as an exception and an example. She remains the bedrock of her family's fortune.





But then Sofia is used to toughness. Despite some glittering highs (remember when the Spanish royals were the most popular in Europe with ratings that made everyone else as green as emeralds?), the sea has been far from smooth for this former Olympic sailor. Take her birthday exactly a decade ago. On November 2nd 2007, the Queen of Spain appeared to have it all. Her royal house was popular, all three of her children were married and she had eight grandchildren around her including a six month old infanta who shared her name. And yet the smiles hid cracks that had already taken hold. Just days later it was announced that the eldest child of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, the Infanta Elena, was separating from her husband, Jaime de Marichalar, after 12 years of marriage. In the decade that followed, her younger daughter, Infanta Cristina, faced court action while the monarchy's popularity ratings tumbled. The unexpected abdication of King Juan Carlos in June 2014 has been followed by three years of ups and downs with 2017 ending on a low.



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But each decade of this royal life, which began on November 2nd 1937 in Greece, has had more ups and downs that most. The first ten years of Sofia's life saw her family head into exile from Greece only to return in 1946. Seventy years ago, as Sofia turned 9, her father, King Paul, was beginning a reign that would be bumpy to say the least. By the time she turned 29 in 1967, her brother had taken the throne as King Constantine and was just weeks away from going into exile after a coup earlier that same year. Sofia was by then married to Juan Carlos and living in Madrid in a Spain ruled by the dictator, Francisco Franco. In 1977, as she turned 39, Sofia was Queen of Spain and the country was completing the path to democracy. Just weeks earlier elections had led to the re-establishment of the Generalitat in Catalonia, paving the way for the region to become autonomous. Now, forty years later, the region is at the heart of the Spanish monarchy's agenda once again.



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There's no doubt that behind the scenes. Sofia will be as much of a support to her son as she has been to the father, brother and husband who were all kings before him. Sofia is in some ways the last of a generation, the final consort to boast such royal links, the last queen to have been raised so regally and lived so dramatically. And yet it is her ability to reach out to others that have made her such a success. Her passion for issues like research into Alzheimers has been noted around the world (she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in that area) while her constant smile and gentle grace have won her fans far and wide. Now, as she heads into the final year of her seventies, she must help reinvent royalty all over again as she stands behind a son who is facing criticism on many fronts and who is Head of State of a country facing a political crisis not seen in Europe for many years. But Felipe has a secret weapon and one that has steered the royal ship through choppier waters before. Sofia is and perhaps always will be the strength of the Spanish monarchy.

6 royal birthdays for November

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It's candles for Charles this month as he celebrates his birthday
(photo By Korona Lacasse [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons) 

There might not be as many royal birthdays in November as in other months, but these ones pack a real regal punch. On this list you'll find two heirs as well as a first born grandson of a monarch. Get the cards and cake ready, here are six royal birthdays for November.


  
 
  Charles, the Prince of Wales is 69 on November 14th 2017
Charles Philip Arthur George was born on November 14th 1948 at Buckingham Palace, London. He was the first child of the then Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and he arrived just days short of his parents first wedding anniversary. His birth, like their marriage,was a high point for a country still recovering from the Second World War. He became heir to the throne on February 6th 1952 on the accession of his mother as Elizabeth II and he has held that role ever since making him the longest serving first in line in British history. 





Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg is 36 on November 11th 2017
Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie was born on November 11th 1981 at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg. He was the first child of the then Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess, Henri and Maria Teresa, who had married on Valentine's Day that year. He became heir to the throne on his father's accession in 2000 and married Stephanie Lannoy in 2012.


 

Queen Sofia of Spain is 79 on November 2nd 2017
Sofia of Spain has had happier birthdays and that's saying something. She was born a princess of Greece and Denmark on November 2nd 1938 in Athens. She was the first child of Paul, then first in line for the Greek throne, and his wife, Federica, who had married in January that year. Her father became King of Greece in 1947 and in 1962 she married Juan Carlos of Spain who would become his country's king in 1975. She saw her son, Felipe, become King of Spain in June 2014 on the abdication of Juan Carlos and will spend this birthday watching him wrestle with the biggest political crisis to hit his country in decades. Sofia is still much admired in Spain despite her more background role now. 



Peter Phillips is 40 on November 15th 2017
Well, that's something to make the longest reigning monarch in British history feel even more historic. Her eldest grandchild turns forty this month. Peter Mark Andrew Phillips. first grandchild of the Queen, was born on November 15th 1977 at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He was the first child of Princess Anne and her first husband, Mark Phillips. At birth he was fifth in line to the throne and his parents' decision to not raise him with a title caused huge debate at the time. He was educated at Gordunstun and the University of Exeter before taking jobs in sports sponsorship and management. He married Autumn Kelly in 2008 and the couple has two daughters.




  
  
David, Earl of Snowdon will be 56 on November 3rd 2017
David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones was born on November 3rd 1961 at Clarence House, London, He was the first child of the Queen's only sister, Princess Margaret, and her then husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon. At birth, the new Viscount Linley was fifth in line to the throne. He spent a lot of time with his royal cousins growing up and would go on to develop a career in furniture making and antiques. He married Serena Stanhope in 1993 and the couple has two children. Earlier this year he became Earl of Snowdon on the death of his father.



Lady Louise Windsor will be 14 on November 8th 2017
Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary was born on November 8th 2003 at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, the first child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. She was born prematurely after her mother was rushed to hospital. Like her November cousin, Peter Phillips, there was debate about her title at birth but her parents announced she would be known as Lady Louise Windsor. She makes appearances at major royal events like Trooping the Colour. Lady Louise is eleventh in line to the throne.

Leonor's first official portrait

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It's a birthday tradition that Spain's royals don't tend to follow as much as other European houses but this year they've made an exception. To mark her 12th birthday, Princess Leonor, heir to the throne, has a new portrait to celebrate. In fact, it's her first official portrait and it comes at a very interesting time indeed.




The image, taken on Spain's national day just a few weeks ago, has been shared on the official Casa Real website on the royal birthday. It's by Francisco Gomez and shows the girl who will be queen posing, relaxed and happy, at the Royal Palace in Madrid. It is released exactly twelve years after the arrival of the first child of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia - Leonor was born on October 31st 2005 in Madrid.


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So far, so very standard. But it's the timing that's really interesting about this portrait.  Spain's royals have barely been seen in the weeks since the disputed independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1st 2017. Leonor's father, King Felipe, has cancelled several engagements in the past few days - a tumultuous time which has seen Catalonia declare independence and the Spanish government impose direct rule on the region ahead of new elections in December this year. No one was expecting this portrait of Leonor and yet, just when her Royal Family needs her, there she is smiling out in a portrait for the history books.



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Turning twelve is a big deal and so it may always have been the plan to release this image. But the last time that Spain's royals shared an official portrait of Leonor to mark her birthday was back in 2006 when she turned one. Then the photos also celebrated the news that her parents were expecting another baby. Now, this new picture comes as her family faces tough questions about its role and little chance of making any public appearances given the political situation. It's a good news stories for Spain's beleagured royals. Any first official portrait is always one for the history books but this photo really does have a special place in Spain's regal story.

Letizia flies solo again as Spain's royals are hit by crisis

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The Queen of Spain will, again, be the sole representative of her royal household at a public event this week as the country is engulfed by crisis. The agenda for the Spanish Royal Family, published every Friday, shows just one appearance in the days ahead with Letizia due to attend an awards ceremony on October 30th 2017. 

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The single engagement will take place in Valencia where Queen Letizia is due to present awards celebrating scientific innovation. She will also give a short speech. King Felipe had originally been set to attend but will miss the ceremony now because of the political crisis threatening Spain.



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It's the second time in just days that Letizia will end up flying solo at engagement after she attended journalism awards in Madrid by herself on Thursday when it was decided that King Felipe couldn't accompany her, as planned, because of the situation in Catalonia. That, of course, came just hours before chaos became crisis. 

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On Friday, the Catalan Parliament voted to declare the region an independent republic. Soon afterwards, the Spanish government in Madrid triggered article 155 of the country's constitution, imposing direct rule on Catalonia which was given autonomy in 1977.  It follows a disputed referendum on independence, called by the Catalan Parliament on October 1st 2017. Spanish police moved in to close polling stations on the day and almost 900 people were injured.




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The next appearance of the King of Spain remains unknown. Felipe caused controversy with his first intervention following the referendum when he gave a rare, televised address calling for the unity of Spain to be preserved and criticising those who had called the referendum. But it was his failure to acknowledge the injuries caused that led to criticism on several fronts. A second speech, at the Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo last week, repeated calls for unity and condemnation of Catalan independence leaders. Since then, Felipe hasn't been seen in public. He was declared persona non grata by Girona this week and comments on the official Casa Real Twitter feed have been less than sympathetic at time. Elsewhere, there is support for the Spanish monarchy as a symbol of unity.




But how that continues remains to be seen. The Spanish Royal Family has faced many critical situations in its modern history but this threatens to be one of the greatest of them all. There is continued tension in Catalonia where many feel the declaration of independence has been thrust on them but where many are celebrating a move they have wanted for years. The world is now watching to see how power is administered in the area after the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, sacked the Catalan leaders and the chief of the local police force. The area's considerable civil service will now be expected to take orders from Madrid while the administration of politics in the area, ahead of new regional elections called for December this year, remains in doubt as many ask how the Spanish government can take control of a strong region hundreds of miles away. In the midst of this is Europe's newest monarch who will be expected by many in his country to be a neutral figurehead, helping to soothe a crisis that threatens the very notion of Spain as we know it now. Felipe will have to be seen, and soon, but his next move could be crucial.

Spain's King stays silent...for now

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King Felipe is expected to stay silent in the coming hours on the crisis engulfing his country. In the last few hours, the parliament of Catalonia has declared independence in a move that it hopes will lead to the establishment of a republic in the region. The government in Madrid, meanwhile, is preparing to take control of Catalonia. Felipe began October knowing that a disputed referendum was set to take place. He can never have imagined it would end with part of his country trying to break away from his crown.





On the afternoon of October 27th 2017, the Catalan Parliament voted by 70 to 10 in favour of declaring independence from Spain following a disputed referendum on October 1st this year. There were two abstentions in the vote. Soon afterwards, the Spanish government approved plans to impose direct rule on Catalonia which has been an autonomous region of the country for four decades. The details of that are being worked out now but they could see Catalonia's leaders, including its president Carles Puigdemont, being removed from office and Madrid taking control of finances and police in the region. Spain is in turmoil but Felipe won't be talking publicly - for now at least.



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It is an extremely difficult situation for the newest monarch in Europe to find himself in. Since the referendum, Felipe has made two speeches including an extraordinary televised address in which he defended the unity of Spain. However, he faced criticism then, and following a second intervention during an appearance at the Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo last week, for not making any comment on the way police tried to stop people voting during the referendum or referencing the fact that almost 900 people were injured during the day of the vote.




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Now there is growing expectation that the King of Spain will make some kind of declaration but, again, it is a difficult situation for him to navigate. His country is in turmoil and politicians from all sides are taking a hammering. It is in times like this that monarchies can be a neutral centrepoint. They can fly - or they can wobble. Felipe's next move will be crucial. The King of Spain is staying silent for now - but keeping quiet may not be an option for very much longer.

Letizia's battle lines are drawn

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You've got to hand it to this queen. Anyone who can look that good on a day when their royal dynasty took a wobble has got some oomph. As her husband's reign headed into uncharted waters of chaos as one part of his kingdom threatened to leave while his former principality declared him persona non grata, Letizia faced them all down single handedly. The Spanish Royal Family has barely been seen in public since the disputed referendum in Catalonia and King Felipe's controversial speech in its wake. But Letizia opened the palace doors and marched out all on her own. Letizia has drawn the battle lines and she clearly means business.


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To be fair, she was among friends. The woman who famously told the news before she started making it herself was at an awards ceremony in Madrid honouring journalists. She needed mates around her. In the hours preceding her appearance, the Catalan government began to debate whether it should declare independence and then announced it would meet early on Friday to make a decision. But around the same time, politicians in Madrid are preparing to trigger article 155 of the Spanish constitution which will impose direct rule on Catalonia. Spain is in chaos and this is quite possible the calm before the storm. Like them or loathe them, it takes a brave royal to come out in that heat. Letizia more than managed it.



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The Queen of Spain was presenting annual awards honouring outstanding achievement in journalism and there was no hiding behind her fringe and hoping no one noticed. Letizia wore deep red, the colour of her country's flag and long associated with the Royal Household, as well as some of the joyas de pasar, the sparkling diamonds that once belonged to Ena who decreed they could only ever be worn by Spanish queens. Of course, because this was Letizia it was all very modern with the red coming in the form of a jumpsuit and the diamonds in the shape of a single, stylish bracelet. It certainly made an impact.


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Friday traditionally marks the day that the Spanish Royal Family publishes its agenda for the coming week but the times they are a changing. There is little doubt that King Felipe could well be occupied with politics in the days ahead but with things moving at such a breakneck speed and with no clearer picture now of what the future holds than anyone had at the start of the day, it is impossible to predict. One thing we do know is that, just as on a chessboard or in tales of old, you need to watch the queen. And Letizia has shown us tonight that you can put as many chips down as you like, she'll match you all the way. Hats off to that queen.

Photo credit: casareal Twitter.




From historic prince to outcast king

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He was its first prince for over a quarter of a millennium but his actions as a king have led to a place called Girona in Catalonia rejecting Felipe VI. The King of Spain has been declared a persona non grata by Girona City Council following his interventions in the disputed Catalan independence referendum. The beloved prince is become an outcast king.





The city council, headed by Marta Madrenas of the Catalan European Democratic Party, took the decision to make Felipe a persona non grata at a meeting earlier this week. The motion also saw Enric Milla, the Spanish government's representative in Catalona, declared persona non grata as well as the rejection of article 155 of the Spanish constitution which allows Madrid to impose direct rule on autonomous regions. The government of Mariano Rajoy has already said that the article will be triggered following the referendum on October 1st which saw almost 900 people injured when Spanish police moved in to stop voting.



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Girona has been linked to heirs to the throne since the 14th century. In 1351, King Peter IV of Aragon named his heir Duke of Girona while his grandson, Ferdinand I, decided things would be much better all round if the area became a principality. It fell out of use following the unification of Castile and Aragon. At the restoration of the Spanish Monarchy, following the accession of King Juan Carlos on the death of the dictator Francisco Franco, it became one of the titles of the new heir to the throne, Felipe, who formally adopted it in 1977. For over three decades he was Prince of Girona. Now he is no longer welcome there.



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The current holder is Felipe's daughter, Leonor, who as heir to the Spanish throne is known as Princess of Asturias, Princess of Girona and Princess of Viana. The Princess of Girona Foundation gives out annual awards and in June this year, Felipe and Letizia, were in the area to oversee the 2017 prizes. What happens in summer 2018 now remains a mystery as the historic prince becomes an outcast king.

Letizia's business as usual

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Just don't look at the fixed grin. There is tension all over the face of the Queen of Spain in the images coming from Oviedo for this year's Princesa de Asturias prizes but from a distance, Letizia is trying to give the impression she is carrying on as normal. Whether that's a wise decision given the crisis facing her country right now isn't certain but over the four appearances she made at the annual awards ceremony in the region of her birth, Letizia was trying to keep calm and carry on. She smiled, she waved, she bounced babies, she did what she does best and gave us a masterclass in style. Here's a look back at the queen from Asturias as she goes home one more time....



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Letizia's first appearance at this year's awards events came at the concert traditionally given on the eve of the big prize ceremony itself.  The concert took place at the Principe Felipe Auditorium in Oviedo - named in honour of Letizia's husband during his time as heir to the throne of Spain. The prizes were established in 1980, when Felipe was 12, and set up to consolidate the relationship between Asturias and its prince as well as to promote culture, sports and arts.


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Letizia chose a blue two piece outfit featuring a fitted, sleeveless top with dropped waist and a flared, pleated skirt. Blue might well be on trend in the coming months (has this queen ever knowingly not been at the forefront of fashion) but psychologists also mark it out as a colour of trust, faith and loyalty. It's also said to be beneficial to both mind and body. Considering the issues engulfing Spain right now, is that a co-incidence?


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The following day saw Letizia accompany Felipe to an audience honouring those who won this year's awards.  She looked tired and rather strained if we're being honest about things, as did her husband. but the show must go on, even if it is rather limited right now - Felipe and Letizia have carried out just a handful of engagements since the disputed referendum in Catalonia on October 1st 2017 which has left Spain in turmoil.

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The Queen of Spain chose a pale pink floral print dress with large hints of green across it. It was pretty and discreet if rather underwhelming. But given that the official social media account of the Spanish Royal Household is attracting a huge amount of comments right now asking who elected Felipe and Letizia to represent Spain, keeping it low key might well be the best option.
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However, sometimes a queen just has to make it regal and Letizia has always kept it stand out for the main awards ceremony in Oviedo. This year was no different. If the face said worried then the frock said wow and then some. It was vintage Letizia and she made the most of it.


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Letizia has made this rather striking black lace on pure white a bit of a trademark in recent years and she used it to fabulous effect on a Fifties style dress with a hint of a puffball at the hem. Yes, puffball. Now stay steady, it's only a hint and the dress is just gorgeous. And given that puffballs were last popular around 1987 when the Spanish monarchy was enjoying unparalleled levels of popularity, it might well be the best place for them all to imagine they are living right now.



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The annual event always ends with the King and Queen of Spain heading off to a small part of Asturias which has been named as the exemplary community of the area for the year. This is the chance to get out and about and meet and greet and usually involves some kind of food tasting/ craft making/ baby cuddling as things wind down.



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This year, Letizia was perhaps more formal than she's been in recent times for this event. She was back to blue for the visit to Porenu with a fitted jumper matched with grey trousers. But while she cuddled the youngsters and tried some traditional cider, there was none of the relaxed bonhomie that has, in the past, seen this pair mug up for photos at tourist attractions. Like the rest of the awards event, it was low key and low beat. There were enough cheering crowds to make it look like a good few days out. But beneath the surface, you could see and feel the tension however much Letizia tried to make it all look like business as usual.

Photo credit: casareal Twitter

Difficult days for the King of Spain

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The headlines might sing but the reaction is far from in harmony. As the King of Spain made his second speech in two weeks on the Catalonia crisis, social media is alive with controversial comments. The front of the newspapers might focus on the main lines about unity but the response on websites and social media is far from together. King Felipe VI is facing a storm of resentment in a turbulent time. The next few weeks look very hard indeed.


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The latest words from Felipe came at the annual Princesa de Asturias Awards held in Oviedo. The yearly event honours people in a range of areas including literature and sport. Usually, the main question asked is when Leonor, Princess of Asturias will attend the event which was started during her father's time as Spanish heir to the throne. This time round, the debate is much more furious.






King Felipe VI used his speech during the prize giving to make reference to the situation which is gripping Spain. The disputed referendum on Catalan independence, held on the first day of this month and now often referred to as 1-O, saw police use force to move on people from polling stations and resulted in almost 900 injured. Felipe addressed Spain on television several days later, saying that those who had organised the referendum had 'broken the democratic principles of the rule of law'. Now, he has told his country that Catalonia ''is and will remain'' part of Spain.



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The reaction to both speeches displays the deep divisions in society following the referendum. There were comments of ''Viva El Rey'' immediately afterwards but, as has become habitual in the days following 1-O, there were also plenty of questions asked about Felipe's role. Scroll through the response to the tweets on the official Casa Real account and you will find clusters asking who elected Felipe and many more questioning what say those in Catalonia have in their future. The response on the websites of papers like El Pais is just as divided with plenty remarking, again, that Felipe himself can't call on his own mandate. There are, of course, even angrier and more combative comments. Keeping it to politics, the real problem for King Felipe seems to be an underlying impression that some don't see him displaying the inclusivity they expect at a time of crisis.



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There are other issues for the royal family. Felipe and Letizia have barely been seen in public since the disputed referendum on October 1st. The royal couple, with their two daughters, took part in the annual military parade in Madrid marking Spain's National Day. The Queen of Spain held an audience inside the Zarzuela Palace a few days later and King Felipe has met several dignitaries and politicians. The trip to Oviedo, although a regular in their royal calendars, has taken on a new significance this year. It is a rare chance for them to communicate on a wider level and the reaction to it has shown that if they were hoping for an overriding success, they will have to look again.



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To say they looked uncomfortable during this now rare public foray is perhaps an overstatement but this was far from a relaxed series of appearances. Queen Sofia joined them for the main event, the presentation of the Princess of Asturias Awards, but her body language spoke volumes. Remember, this is a consort who has lived through several series of political problems and she clearly feels less than positive about the situation her royal family finds itself in now.



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For the future is very tough for her beloved son, King Felipe VI. With the government in Madrid saying it will trigger Article 155 of the Spanish constitution which will, temporarily, impose direct rule on Catalonia and with talk of fresh elections in the region, the political map of Spain is ever moving. If a set of fresh general elections were called, the country might well find itself in the state of political paralysis that gripped it in 2016 and which, again, was a tough test for Felipe.




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That is, in part, speculative debate about the future but the House of Bourbon is facing a crisis as bad as any it has known recently. With limited opportunities to reach out through public appearances and no sign of a let up in the sometimes fierce response to Felipe's interventions, the next few weeks look hard for this king who just three months ago was making headlines around the world for different reasons during his highly successful State Visit to the UK. Gone are the days when a few words in Catalan during his Christmas speech were enough. Felipe must now take on the challenge presented by the independence referendum and his public reaction to it. This is the moment of truth for Europe's newest monarch.

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