Poor King Juan Carlos I of Spain… the old guy just can’t get seem to get a break these days.  First, he received a nasty black-eye last year after walking into a door.  Then last April he broke his hip whilst in Botswana killing innocent Elephants with his “alleged” mistress, Corrina Sayn-Wittgenstein. Today, the old king has taken a tumble ala President Gerald Ford.

You see, His Majesty King Juan Carlos was visiting the headquarters of the Estado Mayor de la Defensa this afternoon to attend an important meeting.  So after shaking hands with various Spanish military officials then waving to the press the old king missed a step on the stairs and BLAM!  He fell.  Smashing his old royal face on the pavement.

Being the old professional trooper that he is His Majesty he got up, dusted himself off, and went on his merry way.  Once inside the building the old king participated in the meeting along with Defense Minister, Mr. Pedro Morenes Eulate, the Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral General Fernando Sánchez, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Jaime Dominguez Buj, Admiral, and Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado to name a few.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I also held an audience with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Mr. Mario Monti, at Zarzuela Palace.  But, I’m sure you don’t really care about that, right?  Didn’t think so.   🙂

While their royal friends are having a blast in London watching the world’s greatest athletes do their thing at the 2012 Summer Olympics His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain and His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias were stuck in a stuffy room with a bunch of boring people.  What did they do? Well, the royal duo attended a plenary meeting of the Consejo de Defensa Nacional at Zarzuela Palace.

Yawn.

Also in attendance alongside His Majesty and the prince was the Prime Minster of Spain, Mr. Mariano Rajoy Brey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. José Manuel García-Margallo Marfil, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Pedro Morenes Eulate, and a bunch of other government officials.

Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On July 23, 2012, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain witnessed the “… swearing in ceremony…” of Mr. Gonzalo Moliner, the new President of the Supreme Court and General Council of the Judiciary.  The event took place at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Click here to watch a video. (in Spanish)

Afterward, Their Majesties joined Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias at Palacio Real de El Pardo in Madrid to meet with members of the 2012 Spanish Olympic Team.  During the meeting His Majesty King Juan Carlos I gave a speech stating, “You will be the center of attention in all of Spain.  And, once again, you all will be models of conduct and a [good] example for the young… It is a great responsibility… I wish you much success…”

Source and photos courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, the WWF España announced they have decided to dump His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain as their Honorary President.

The reason why the WWF España said “Adios” to the old king was due to the international outcry regarding the $57, 850 luxurious elephant killing vacation he took last April in Botswana alongside his longtime “alleged” mistress Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and several wealthy businessmen.

After receiving numerous complaints and petitions “both inside and outside of Spain” the WWF España gathered at their headquarters in Madrid to decide whether to keep the old king as their Honorary President or to kick his arrogant booty to the curb.

Per a press release:

“Although this type of hunting is legal and regulated [in Botswana], it has been considered incompatible, by many of its partners, with the Honorary Presidency of an international organization such as the WWF for the protection of nature and the environment and one that more efforts and resources dedicated to the conservation of species in danger of extinction.

For this reason, the Governing Board of WWF España has agreed to unanimously initiate the procedures for the holding of an extraordinary meeting in which partners could decide on whether to keep or remove the Honorary Presidency occupied by King Juan Carlos… 

94% of WWF España members agreed to vote in favor to remove King Juan Carlos I as Honorary President, a title has held since 1968.”

Source: WWF España

On Monday, July 16, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the 8th Edition of the Luis Carandell Journalism Awards held at the Palacio del Senado in Madrid.  This year’s prize went to journalist, Rocio Antonanzas de Toledo.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On July 11, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain was in Barcelona to attend the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comisión de Protección de los Derechos de los Animales (Committee of Protection of the Rights of Animals) of the Colegio de Abogados de Barcelona.

During the event, Her Majesty participated in a meeting as well as watched a video shown chronicling the history of Committee of Protection of the Rights of Animals. Afterward, Her Majesty, along various government officials, toured the Colegio de Abogados of Barcelona library.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain attended an annual meeting with the Board of Trustees from the Fundación Carolina at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  The purpose of the meeting was to “…adopt a plan of action…” for the next year.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain presided over the presentation of La Vuelta Junior Cofidis 2012 held at the Consejo Superior de Deportes in Madrid.

And, finally, Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias was in Barcelona to attend the final day of the 22nd Congreso Bienal de la European Association for Cancer Research (EACR22).  During the event the beautiful princess gave a speech stating (rough translation):

Spain is a country committed to cancer research. A commitment that drives not only public administrations, but also the civil society and private entities. In Spain we can count on science and research as part of a culture that honors the values of effort, excellence and solidarity.

Our goal is fighting cancer in a comprehensive way, with physicians, researchers, professionals and volunteers to work together. This Congress, which ends today, is proof that the comprehensive and international dimension in cancer research is the best way. Sharing knowledge is the guarantee of success.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey