In a poll conducted last month by the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, it seems that the popularity of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain has dropped significantly in the last year.
“The poll concluded that 50.1% of the 1,000 people surveyed by Sigma Dos Institute for El Mundo considered that the balance of his 37-year reign has been ‘very good’ (6.6%) or ‘good’ (43.5%), compared with 76.4% a year earlier. Support for the monarchy falls to a low of 54%.
57.8% of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 does not consider the monarchy to be the best for Spain.”
El Mundo notes that the reasons why His Majesty’s popularity has dropped: The lavish elephant slaughtering vacation he took last year with his “alleged” mistress and the “… corruption probe of his son-in-law, The Duke of Parma.”
Despite the bad news His Majesty can be happy about one thing this week: His birthday. The old king turns 75 years young on Saturday.
On January 2, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan made a balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The imperial couple, along with other members of the family including His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, waved to “…78,000 cheering supporters…” who gathered in the East Plaza at palace to wish the emperor and his family a Happy New Year.
Emperor Akihito also made a speech in which he “… urged the people of Japan to help those affected by the March 2011 disasters and together tackle challenges in the reconstruction efforts…”
To read more about today’s balcony appearance please click here.
And, finally the Japanese newspaper, Japan Times, has a new article regarding the “…growing concerns over ways to reduce [the] duties of [the] aging emperor…”
In a new poll released on January 2, 2013, conducted by the Swedish magazine, Aftonbladet/SIFO, six out of ten Swedes want His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden to abdicate.
“One thousand people participated in the survey which also concluded that seven out of ten people want the monarchy to remain. Twenty-three percent want to abolish it all together…”
To read more about this latest news please click here.
For those who are interested in watching the SVT documentary entitled, Året med Kungafamiljen 2012, then please click here.
The documentary follows all members of the Swedish royal family during the 2012 year and includes lengthy interviews and more. As you may know by now the program is in Swedish. There are no sub-titles.
Last September Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia sat down for an interview with Wall Street Journal’s, Mr. Lee Hawkins, to discuss her “… philanthropic efforts, Women’s rights … “ and much more.
Overall, in my opinion, the interview with the princess is quite interesting and well worth watching. 🙂
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand delivered his New Year speech last evening from the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. The 85-year-old monarch urged his people to “… show compassion and affinity toward one another…” in the new year. His Majesty also thanked the people who wished him a happy birthday last month at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok.
For more information about His Majesty’s speech as well as to view a new photo please click here.
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, by Royal Decree, appointed Mr. Paul Rüpp as the new Chamberlain in the province of Brabant on January 1, 2013. Prior to his new position Mr. Rüpp was a member of the National Council (HBO) and president of the Board of Directors at the Avans Hogeschool.
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In a poll conducted last month by the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, it seems that the popularity of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain has dropped significantly in the last year.
The Royal Correspondent 