The last incident happened just last Wednesday: King Felipe VI. and his wife Letizia had to wait longer in the Rolls Royce before the military parade on Spanish National Day in Madrid, contrary to protocol, because Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was late for the ceremonial welcome.
The photo of the royals in the car with a serious expression was published the next day by the renowned newspaper “El Mundo” and other newspapers on page one. The head of government acted on purpose, said “El Mundo” and others unanimously. It was said that he wanted to soften the whistle of the viewers who were dissatisfied with his work and also wanted to wipe out the monarchy.
Since ascending the throne, the monarch has turned gray
The state visit to Germany (Spanish: Alemania) scheduled for Monday (October 17) to Wednesday will certainly be a welcome respite from the constant stress at home for Felipe, as a TV commentator pointed out.
The 54-year-old has not been guilty of anything so far, he is considered a “clean man” who is at most a little too “boring”. And the socially committed Letizia (50) is also very popular with the Spaniards. But political and family troubles may have contributed to the monarch’s gray hair since assuming the throne in June 2014.
The independence conflict in Catalonia and problems such as the constant dispute between the left-wing government and the conservative opposition, which has led, among other things, to a blockage of the judiciary because it has not been possible to agree on the appointment of important judges since 2018, are a burden on the head of state’s work.
And then there is constant criticism from coalition junior partner Unidas Podemos (UP). UP demands that the Kingdom of Spain becomes a republic. The left is not alone in making this demand. According to a survey by the respected opinion research institute 40dB, a narrow majority of Spaniards (53 percent) were convinced that the monarchy is an outdated institution that should be abolished.
This is primarily due to former king Juan Carlos. Felipe’s father has been living in exile in Abu Dhabi since the summer of 2020 due to various scandals. During his first and only home visit since then, the 84-year-old managed to further scratch the image of the monarchy in just five days. According to the media, he appeared “immodest”. Juan Carlos “missed the opportunity” to “ask for forgiveness” from the citizens and to “explain the actions of the past few years, which were neither ethical nor exemplary,” government spokeswoman Isabel Rodríguez also complained.
Felipe pays the bill first and foremost. It doesn’t help much that the royal family is increasingly focusing on transparency and frugality. As the only institution in Spain, the “Casa Real” will once again not get a budget increase next year and will have to make do with 8.4 million euros. Felipe disclosed his private assets of 2.6 million euros for the first time this year. A respectable sum, but almost “peanuts” compared to the fortunes of other European monarchs.
Reception at Bellevue Palace
Rallies against the monarchy are not frequent, but they still happen in Madrid. In Girona, Catalonia, a cardboard figure of the king was burned to loud cheers this year. Felipe and Letizia do not have to fear protests in Germany. However, after her arrival in Berlin on Sunday afternoon (October 16th) she expects a full program.
The visit officially begins on Monday (October 17) with a reception at Bellevue Palace by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In the evening there is also a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
On Tuesday (October 18th), among other things, participation in the German-Spanish Forum in Berlin and the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair are planned.
Felipe and Letizia were last together in Germany in 2014. But this time it’s a state visit, and that’s something very special. The Spanish royal couple have completed only twelve of them since 2014. The last one was almost a year ago and went to Sweden. The state visit to Germany is “of enormous importance” and underlines “the excellent dynamic of the bilateral relationship,” quoted “El Mundo” diplomatic circles in Madrid.
