Spain
Golden wedding anniversary for Spanish King and Queen
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain celebrate their golden wedding anniversary today. Although – celebrate? Maybe that’s not the correct word to use right now. In any case, the couple got married exactly 50 years ago, on 14 May 1962.
The Order of the Golden Fleece
The Order of the Golden Fleece is one of the oldest orders in Europe. It was originally a chivalric order, founded by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in 1430, to celebrate the Duke’s marriage to Isabella of Portugal, his third wife.
23F – The Day the Spanish Democracy shook
On 23 February 1981, exactly 30 years ago, Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina led 200 agents of the Guardia Civil into the Spanish Parliament, taking all members of Parliament and the government ministers hostage. He declared a coup and claimed to install military reign with the support of the monarch, King Juan Carlos I. However, that same night, King Juan Carlos denounced the coup and clearly expressed his support for the Spanish Constitution and democracy, thus effectively ending the military coup.
The Royal Waiting Room – The Prince of Asturias
The times are changing, and – taking into account the age of many of the monarchs worldwide – it is safe to assume that the coming years, we will see at least a few changes in the succession lines. Time to take a closer look at all those heirs, how they have prepared for their duties and how they are perceived among the public. The first to be subjected to scrutiny is Felipe, the Prince of Asturias, who will succeed his father to the Spanish throne.
The Prince of Asturias Foundation 30th Anniversary
The Prince of Asturias Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The Foundation has two main purposes: first, to provide a way to link the Prince of Asturias to the principality, and second, to grant awards in recognition of international excellence in the fields of culture, science, and the humanities.
Origin of the Carlist Movement
The recent death of Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon Parma, Carlist claimant to the Spanish Throne, has highlighted some of the longstanding tensions and rivalries involved in the Carlist movement. When Prince Carlos Hugo died, his younger brother, Prince Sixte Henri, posted a very ungracious message on his website; for whatever reason, he and his eldest sister Princess Marie Francoise did not attend the funeral. This family division, with Prince Sixte Henri and Princess Marie Francoise (and their mother, Princess Madeleine) on one side and Prince Carlos Hugo and his three younger sisters on the other side, has its origin in the rival Carlist claims of the two brothers. The Carlist movement has divided families for a long time now.