The Royal Cartoons - Spanish Edition 2 - (un)Hidden Desires

The Royal Cartoons - Spanish Edition - A matter of size

[Spain] Royal Family reveals details on their income for the first time

Spain's scandal-hit royals revealed their detailed income for the first time on Wednesday, showing King Juan Carlos received a salary plus expenses of 292,752 euros ($382,600) in 2011.

The 73-year-old king's state grant of 140,519 euros was supplemented by 152,233 euros to cover expenses for official duties, said the accounts, published on the royals' website http://www.casareal.com.

Prince Felipe, 43, who is married to former television news presenter Princess Letizia, had half of that figure, which would be 70,260 euros in a state grant and 76,117 euros in expenses.

All top salaries including those of the royal family were cut by 15 percent in 2010 and frozen in 2011, a palace official said.

By comparison, Spain's former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero who left office last week had an annual salary of 78,185 euros, far less than the king's.

The publication of the accounts comes as Spain's royal family battles a corruption scandal centred on the king's son in law, 43-year-old former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin.

Judges are investigating alleged corruption involving a charitable organisation formerly run by Urdangarin, husband of the king's youngest daughter Cristina.

He receives no money from the state.

According to the accounts, Queen Sofia, Princess Letizia and the two princesses Cristina and Elena have no fixed sum but receive expenses for official duties, up to a global maximum of 375,000 euros in 2011.

In tough economic times, pressure had been mounting for more openness about the royals' finances.

The overall budget was already public. The royal budget was frozen in 2010 and then cut by 470,000 euros, or 5.2 percent, to 8.43 million euros in 2011. The royals themselves had reportedly proposed the cut.

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[Spain] King Juan Carlos I opens Parliament with new government

I am completely in love with her dress and coat!

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[Spain] Spanish Royal family together (exception to Infanta Cristina's family) to attend Cirque du Soleil

Victoria and Felipe with their mother, Infanta Elena, Infantas Leonor and Sofia holding hands with Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias. What a united front! People missing, obviously: the King (but he usually does not attend this type of event) and Infanta Cristina's family.

If the coat Infanta Elena is wearing is front Zara, I own one just like that.

Queen Sofia with her granddaughters, Doña Victoria Federica and Infanta Leonor

Infanta Sofia holding hands with her grandma and father, Prince Felipe

Princess Letizia looked dazzling and stylish with her leather and fur coat. I hope it's a faux, though.

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My royal news preview for 2012

This post is deeply inspired by the one I wrote for what 2011 would look like.

Belgium

What I said about 2011: Well, as much as I really like the Brabants, I do not see nothing new happening in this family. Everybody is more or less well married, full of kids and they have enough political problems to deal with already. Might be a quiet year for Belgian monarchy. 

What really happened: well, nothing special happened this year. Except a very rebel Prince Laurent but we are getting used to it. 

What about 2012: nothing special again yet... I have to confess I am a bit afraid for Queen Fabiola and King Albert II's healths.

Denmark

What I said about 2011: Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh! babies, two babies on the way! maybe three (if princess Marie is pregnant sometime during the year?). How excited are we about those twins? will it be a boy and a girl? two boys? two girls? what will be the names? I am very excited. It can happen anytime soon. It can be happening now, as you read this!

What really happened: and we got babies! Two! In January! Josephine and Vincent joined Christian and Isabella for the CP couple tribe. And YES, Princess Marie is very pregnant, so we will have more babies next year. 

What about 2012: I think it will be a boy for Prince Joachim and Princess Marie (a second for her and a fourth for her husband) + big celebration (tiara-like) for Queen Margrethe II's 40th year of reign.

Liechtenstein

What I said about 2011: Well, they are like that side to each family that never call or give news. Therefore, we do not know much about them and they do not know much about us. But we hope they are still alive and well and if we get to get any news, we hope they will be full of joy.

What really happened: Tatjana had a 7th kid. God BLESS HER! Seven children in twelve years of marriage!

What about 2012: Nothing.

Luxembourg

What I said about 2011: What could possibly happen in Luxembourg in the future?

What really happened: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume turned 30.

What about 2012: An engagement announcement for Guillaume, perhaps?

Monaco

What I said about 2011: This will be a big year for Monaco. The eternal-bachelor Prince Albert II is finally getting married to his beautiful South African goddess, Charlene Wittstock. She already looks like a princess, making us, royal watchers, damn proud.

This might also be the year we see Princess Caroline finally getting a divorce after so many public appearances without her husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. Hope they do not keep that quiet so that is does not cause a turmoil: it already is a turmoil!

I do not see any engagements for now. Caroline's three older kids, the Casiraghi gang, are all dating seriously for years but still young and enjoying life and its bliss.

What really happened: The marriage went on (unfortunately, under a turmoil of rumours...) but we all think Charlene - sorry, Princess Charlene! - already has a bunny in the oven. It would not surprise me.

Oh, and Caroline did not get a divorce (I may think now that she never will), but her husband was seen holidaying in beaches with a 23 yo. Creepy. And the Casiraghi trio is faithful to itself: dating seriously with their 3 long termn partners but not engaged.

What about 2012: a babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

The Netherlands

What I said about 2011: Well, I think the same as of the Brabants for the Oranje. They are all set, married and working a lot to make the world a better place. I do not think any new pregnancies will be announced this year. It will be a year of growth, but not in quantity but as of quality for the Dutch.

What really happened: nothing new. Only highlight for me was Maxima's 40th birthday!

What about 2012: nothing.

Norway

What I said about 2011: I do not see either Mette-Marit or Martha-Louise being pregnant this year. The first is working hard alongside her husband to promote their country, their family (their youtube channel is a success) and Martha-Louise is too busy talking to angels (and defending herself on the matter).

What really happened: nothing special for the royal family. Maybe with the exception of CP Haakon & Mette-Marit 10 year anniversary celebration that was beautiful, specially after a period of deep mourning for Norway this year.

What about 2012: nothing.

Spain

What I said about 2011: There has been much speculation on whether King Juan Carlos resigns or not and makes his son - Crown Prince Felipe - King. I really don't know about this. I know his health is failing on him but I do not know how ready Felipe (or Spain) is ready to be made King this promptly. Time will tell. As for kids, I don't think Letizia will be pregnant again this year. Or ever again.

And I think it would be nice to see Infanta Elena move on with her love life. But thing is that she is one of the most discreet women in the world. Even if something was going on, she would preserve herself from the hassle of spotlight.

What really happened: King Juan Carlos I did not abdicate - but his (poor) health has been in the spotlight for a long time now. Nothing new for the Prince & Princess of Asturias nor Elena. But Infanta Cristina's husband Iñaki has been in the turmoil of scandal regarding his business activities. A pity, let me tell you.

What about 2012: nothing (hoping Iñaki does not go to jail...).

Sweden

What I said about 2011: Could Victoria get pregnant this year, pretty please? Oh well, I would understand if she did not, as she seems to be enjoying her marriage like a young teen. And I am happy for her. But I hope a pregnancy comes along in 2011 or early 2012. Wouldn't we be ecstatic?

As for Madeleine, I hope she finds a new true love and can feel better and free to be back to Sweden on a normal basis, as she now "ran away" to New York to overcome her terrible break. I wish nothing but the best to her. Becoming more like her sister (physically) is also happening. Did you notice that?

As for Carl Orlando Bloom Philip, will he try to make his girlfriend, Sofia Hellqvist into a more... royal material? let's see what happens. I am excited!

What really happened: SHE. IS. PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about 2012: as for Princess Marie of Denmark, I also think CP Victoria and Prince Daniel will have a baby boy. Madeleine will continue in NY and, who knows, Carl Philip might introduce us officially to Sofia...

United-Kingdom

What I said about 2011: Dear oh dear, this might be better than 1981. 30 years after, we finally have a wedding we are really looking VERY forward to. It will be massive, lavish but not too much and just a festival of happy tears, I feel it already. Let's not "overtalk" about it (at least, I know I won't on RO), just a constant stream of news without overdoing it. We want to be happy about the news and not vomit about William and Kate, do we agree?

I think this year can be Harry's. I mean, he is just THE bachelor, the free spirit, the grounded boy, the humanitarian, the man. The best man. His brother's best man, per se. He can grow a few years older this year. And I am pretty much looking forward to that.

And we also have the queen's Jubilee. But who could really only focus on it while we are longing for such a big wedding?

What really happened: okay, I made a mistake last year, the Jubilee is taking place in 2012. But the wedding went pretty well, watched by 2 billion people - I cried - and so did Zara's wedding to Mike Tindall. Now Prince William is The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as predicted, is THE man. Plus, Autumn and Peter Phillips are expecting a baby.

What about 2012: loads of trips for all the royal members for the Queen's Jubilee, a hopeful recovery for Prince Philip's health (he spent Christmas at the hospital) and MAYBE a pregnancy for Zara (but not for Catherine. Not yet). And Peter and Autumn Phillips might have a baby girl, a little sister to their Savannah. And Prince Harry still since and happy just like that!

[Spain] Iñaki Urdangarin - husband of Infanta Cristina - dismissed from Official Engagements for the time being

A few months ago, King Juan Carlos of Spain proudly saluted the country's armed forces at the National Day military parade surrounded by his family, as he has done throughout his 36-year reign.

Highly respected with a dignified bearing, the royal has always enjoyed great affection among his people.

In the public memory, the patriarch is remembered for his decisive role in thwarting a coup by military officers against the country's fledgling democracy in 1981.

But now the standing of the clan has been threatened by, what the local press has dubbed, the Urdangarin Case.

Juan Carlos' son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin, the husband of his daughter Cristina, is being investigated on corruption charges relating to his business activities in Palma, Majorca.

After weeks of headlines, the Palace has announced that he will no longer take part in official engagements.

Spokesman Rafael Spottrono added that his behaviour "did not seem to have been exemplary".

Iñaki, a towering athlete who was once the capitan of the national handball team, was created the Duke of Palma in 1997 on his marriage to Cristina.

Their magnificent wedding in Barcelona Cathedral was followed by the birth of four children.

A few years ago the couple moved to Washington where he works for telecoms giant Telefonica.

Aides said it was not yet known if Cristina would also step down from her official roles.

At the weekend the duke published a statement saying he "regretted" the damage caused by press reports to his family and the king "who had nothing to do" with his private activities.

His lawyer also said that his client is innocent of any wrongdoing and was "outraged" by the allegations.

The accusations centre around the Noos Institute, an non profit organisation for the promotion of sports and tourism.

As president, he is alleged to have charged local authorities hugely inflated fees for organising events and siphoning off funds to his private companies.

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When Charles, Diana, William & Harry met Juan Carlos, Sofia, Elena, Cristina & Felipe in 1987...

This photo is just too cute! #royallove

Spotted: Queen Sofia having one fine night at the Opera

Queen Sofia was spotted yesterday at the premiere of the opera "Saint Francis of Assisi", by Olivier Messiaen, who was first introduced to Spain in its stage version in "The Way to Holiness" . The Opera had to take place at the Madrid Arena and not a theater in the capital due to the complexity of production. 

The Queen was well accompanied as she was sitting by the Minister of Culture, Ángeles González Sinde, and the mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón. At the end of the spectacle, the Queen went to greet the artists after the performance and passed her enthusiasm for this difficult and complex play, directed by one of the foremost experts on Messiaen, Sylvain Cambreling with a production by Emilia and Ilya Kabakov.

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Spanish Prince and Princess of Asturias inaugurate Instituto Cervantes in Hamburg, Germany

The Prince and Princess of Asturias traveled to Germany to inaugurate the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in Hamburg, is in the Chilehaus building, an architectural jewel of the twenties located two steps from the harbor and the town hall in the heart of the German metropolis. Upon arrival, they received the affection of those present and Princess Letizia was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

During his speech, Prince Felipe talked about the so-called "crisis of cucumber" and stressed that the "excellent relations" and "deep friendship" between Spain and Germany, will help, along with the European Union, to find a solution to the problem happening with the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector. To conclude, the prince sent the authorities his "deepest and sincere condolences" of Spain deaths to the outbreak of E. coli and wished many victims to recover as soon as possible: "The Princess and I would dedicate these feelings, with all our heart, to the family members and friends of all the victims and also to the authorities. "

Moreover, the Prince of Asturias said that "the interest in Spanish continues to grow as a result of greater exchange of goods and services, investment flows, or cooperation in R&D with the Latin American region growing intensively in recent years, despite the international economic and financial crisis, with increasingly important role internationally. "

After his speech, Felipe discovered near Princess Letizia a commemorative plaque and toured the facilities of the new headquarters next to the center's director, Helena Cortez Gabaudan, head of the Instituto Cervantes and Carmen Caffarel, the second mayor of Hamburg, Dorothee Stapelfeldt, and the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Wolf-Ruthart Born, and Foreign Affairs Secretary of Spain and Latin America, Juan Antonio Yanez-Barnuevo.

During his visit, the Prince and Princess of Asturias inaugurated an exhibition of paintings by the Argentinian artist Martha Zuik, which displays 30 oils and acrylics painted on canvas and paper, and visited the library, which has 9,000 volumes. A particularly one has more than 1,500 DVD movies in Spanish and nearly 3,000 books to teach Spanish as a foreign language.

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Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Is it Maxima? Is it Mathilde? No! It's Letizia in orange!

Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been writing and talking about this week!

• All the details about Kate's outfit at the Epsom Derby this weekend (What Kate Wore)
• As Princess Eugenie visits hospital, she talks about past surgery (Royal Examiner)
• Catherine's wedding dress on display from July on (World of Royalty)
• Diana, the life of a royal icon (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• First communion of Don Miguel, Infanta Cristina of Spain's son (Current Royal News)
• First communion of Princess Louise, Prince Laurent of Belgium's daughter (Royalty in the News)
• Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's brother wakes up from coma (Lux-Arazzi)
• Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and daughter Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein attend Skoda Tour de Luxembourg (Lux-Arazzi)
• The Human side of the British royal family (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• Isabella of Parma: the Princess obsessed with death (Mad Monarchs)
• It's the Duke and Duchess of Kent's 50th wedding anniversary: the event! (Royal Musings)
• It's the Duke and Duchess of Kent's 50th wedding anniversary: the gown! (Order of Splendor)
• Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge: a sales sensation? (What Kate Wore)
• King Carl XVI Gustaf's Frank Interview after new scandal (The Royal Correspondent)
• King Juan Carlos leaves hospital after knee surgery (Royalty in the News)
• No, it's not Princess Maxima nor Princess Mathilde. It's Princess Letizia in orange! (Royal Fashionistas)
• President Obama meets with Bahrain Crown Prince at White House (World of Royalty)
• Prince Ali of Jordan sworn in as FIFA's Vice President for Asia (The Royal Forums)
• Prince Henrik of Denmark named "European of the Year" (The Royal Correspondent)
• Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie at the Derby (Mad Hattery)
• Princess Birgitta of Sweden & Prince Johann Georg von Hohenzollern's 50th wedding anniversary [a must read!] (Sofia's Blog)
• Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Isles of Scilly (Royal Insight)
• The Royal Wedding Giveaway (The Royal Representitive)
• The Spanish wedding gift tiara to Belgium (TiaraPedia)
• When in doubt, wear grey - Charlene Wittstock (alleged) fashion motto (A Right Royal Blog) 

Spotted: Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias visiting the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid*

There are days like today when I look at Felipe and I see his maternal uncle, King Constantine of Greece. Do you agree?

And whatever Doña Letizia did with her hair, I am liking it.
*thanks to Alex for comments for change in the comment box!

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Royal Births and Anniversaries in June

Births


June 1st
1985: Prince Christian of Hanover, son of Prince Ernst-August
June 2nd
1938: Princess Désirée, sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
June 3rd
1984: Prince Felix of Luxembourg
2006: Countess Leonore, daughter of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands
June 4th
1990: Jetsun Pema, fiancée of the King of Bhutan
June 5th
1962: Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este
2005: Doña Irene, daughter of Infanta Cristina of Spain
June 6th
1934: King Albert II of the Belgians
June 7th
1969: Prince Joachim of Denmark
June 8th
1984: Andrea Casiraghi
2002: Countess Eloise, daughter of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands
June 9th
1930: Princess Ragnhild of Norway, sister of King Harald V
June 10th
1921: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh
1982: Princess Madeleine of Sweden
June 11th
1928: Queen Fabiola of Belgium
1934: Prince Henrik of Denmark, Count of Monpezat
1968: Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein
June 12th
1968: Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, daughter-in-law of Grand Duke Jean
June 13th
1965: Infanta Cristina of Spain
June 17th
1977: Bernardo Guillermo, nephew of Queen Beatrix
June 18th
2006: Countess Zaria, daughter of Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau
June 20th
1946: The Duchess of Gloucester
June 21st
1982: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
June 26th
1962: The Earl of St Andrews
1987: Princess Marie-Astrid, daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein
2005: Princess Alexia, daughter of Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange
June 30th
1964: Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, former wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark


Anniversaries


June 5th
1999: Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein and Philipp von Lattorff's wedding anniversary
June 6th
1998: Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellgut's wedding anniversary
June 8th
1961: The Duke and Duchess of Kent's wedding anniversary
June 10th
1967: Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark's wedding anniversary
June 19th
1976: King Carl XVI Gustaf & Queen Silvia of Sweden's wedding anniversary
1999: The Earl and Countess of Wessex's wedding anniversary
2010: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's wedding anniversary
June 22nd
2002: The Earl and Countess of Ulster's wedding anniversary
June 30th
1978: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's wedding anniversary

Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about this week!

• Bahrain's King offers July Reform Talks (World of Royalty)
• Can we compare Princess Angela of Liechtenstein's media attention to the Duchess of Cambridge's? (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• The Cartier Halo Tiara - The one Catherine used a month ago (TiaraPedia)
• Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark's visit to Mozambique (The Royal Correspondent)
• Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's Basic in Black (Royal Fashionistas)
• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Canada Tour dates and cities (Current Royal News)
• The Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg attend the 14th Small States of Europe Games aka LieGames (Lux-Arazzi)
• Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg's brother in a coma (The Royal Forums)
• How Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock's commemorative wedding coins are the best yet comparing to others (A Right Royal Blog)
• Know more about Charlotte of Belgium, the Empress of Mexico with a handkerchief in front of her face (Mad Monarchs)
• More details on THAT Reiss dress being reissued and more fashion finds (What Kate Wore)
• Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and Princess Sophie von Isenburg Wedding details (The Royal Correspondent)
• Princess Marie Gabriele and Princess Marie Charlotte of Bavaria celebrate the big 80! (Royal Musings)
• Princess Power: A RoyaltyNow! Production (The Royal Representative)
• Queen Paola of Belgium tells children to be cautious online (Royalty in the News)
• Queen Sonja and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at arrival of state visit from Luxembourg to Norway (Mad Hattery)
• Spanish Royals attend "National Army Day" in Malaga (Royal Romania)
• The Very interesting story of Maria, the Queen of Naples's sister (Palace Princess)
• When the Obamas meet Royals from all over the world (Order of Splendor)
• Zara Phillips Olympic hopes alive in Dublin (Royal News Examiner)

Prince Felipe of Asturias to attend UEFA Champions League 2011 Final in London

We all know and have noticed, over the year, the enthusiasm of our favorite royals when it comes to sports, like Soccer (Football), Tennis, Formula 1, Sailing, and, of course, the Olympics, among others. 

Next week, according to Casa Real, on May 28th, the Prince of Asturias will be back to London - he was there exactly a month ago for you know what - to attend the final of the Champions League. Why? Barcelona will be playing against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. 

According to Hola, the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, will also attend and is hoping for a victory of the Barça team. Barcelona Football Club will return to Wembley for the final of this European competition 19 years after, in the very same stadium, it had won its first European Cup on 20 May 1992 against Sampdoria from Genoa.

Infanta Elena of Spain reaches out to help Colombians in need after floods

King Juan Carlos I's older daughter, Infanta Elena traveled last week to Colombia. She presented a donation of $200,000 (more than 140,000 euros) for victims of terrible floods due to heavy rain in the country and visited a home for children with cancer during her trip to Bogota as a Director of Social and Cultural Projects MAPFRE Foundation.

The Infanta, the MAPFRE Foundation and the Spanish royal family could not forget to reach out to Colombia in these difficult times. The Duchess of Lugo arrived at the capital, Bogota, last May 12th as with Fernando Garrido, director of the Institute of Social Action, to bring hope to the Latin American country. There have been rumours in the Iberian country that Elena and Fernando have been dating for a little while.

Infanta Elena did a lot during her small trip: she paid a visit to the Dharma Foundation - hey... did you just think about the series Lost here? - a home for children with cancer, had a meeting with the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos and his wife, María Clemencia Rodríguez, at the Palacio de Nariño. The princess gave the Colombian president, in the presence of First Lady, a donation of $ 200,000 (about 140,000 euros) under the Humanitarian Colombia campaign, which aims to raise funds for victims of the floods.

Upon receipt of resources, María Clemencia appreciated the support that the Infanta has always provided the country, especially in difficult times that Colombia has faced as a result of climate change. "Doña Elena, once again, thank you very much. Thank you very much because we feel your continuing solidarity in difficult times in Colombia, "said the wife of President Santos.

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