Per AFP News:

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain’s youngest daughter, Infanta Cristina of Spain, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, is “worried” about her husband, Inaki Urdangarin Duke of Palma, upcoming corruption hearing, the duke’s lawyer said Wednesday after meeting with her.

‘It is logical she should be worried,’ said Mario Pascual Vives, lawyer for the Duke of Palma, after meeting with Princess Cristina the previous day in the northeastern city of Barcelona.

‘It was essentially a courtesy call so that I could confirm a few things after my latest meetings with Urdangarin,’ the lawyer told Spanish media.

The so-called “Palma Arena affair” centres on the suspected embezzlement of public funds during the construction of a velodrome in Palma de Majorca between 2005 and 2007.

An investigation concluded that the cycling track had an unjustified cost overrun of 41 million euros.

That led authorities on the archipelago to uncover other cases of suspected embezzlement of public funds, including one allegedly involving the royal son-in-law Urdangarin.

The 44-year-old ex-Olympic handball player is scheduled to appear in court on February 25 as a suspect in the probe into corruption at a non-profit organisation, Instituto Noos, which he headed between 2004 and 2006.

The investigation centres on the payment of several million euros to Instituto Noos for organising a tourism and sports conference in 2005 and 2006.

Urdangarin has denied any wrongdoing and his wife is not accused of any involvement.

In December, the royal family suspended the duke from official engagements and the palace’s highest civil official Rafael Spottorno gave an unprecedented rebuke, telling Spanish media Urdangarin’s behavior ‘does not seem exemplary’.

On February 8, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain attended the presentation of the foundation, Mujeres por Africa, held at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain.

Her Majesty was accompanied by Mujeres por Africa Foundation President, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality, Ana Mato, the former President of the Government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the President of the Constitutional Court, Pascual Sala, the President of the Council of State, Francisco Rubio Llorente and representatives from various African countries.

Mujeres por Africa began as:

…an entity of reference at national and international level, committed to sustainable economic and social development, human rights, peace, justice and the dignity of persons, and in particular of women and girls in Africa.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On February 7, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain held an audience at Zarzuela Palace with Spanish companies participating in the project of the railway line of high-speed “La Meca-Medina”.  Click here to view photos.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain participated in the opening of the Vitoria-Gasteiz European Green Capital 2012  held at the Montehermoso Palace in Vitoria, Spain.  Attendees included the Spanish Environment Minister, Mr. Miguel Arias Cañete as well as 300+ prominent business and social leaders.

Finally, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias attended the 20th Edition of the 2012 Premios Fundación Círculo de Economía in Madrid, Spain.  During the event the heir to the Spanish throne gave a speech regarding the world economic crisis, the importance of education, and more.  Click here to view photos. 

Source: Casa de Du Majestad el Rey

On February 2, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias participated in a Cancer prevention forum organized by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Madrid, Spain.  During the event the princess gave a speech stating, “… we must create a common front to face cancer with real guarantees…”

Afterward, the princess along with the Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality, Ana Mato, the President of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Isabel Oriol, and the Chairman of Garrigues, Antonio Garrigues and others participated in a roundtable discussion about the prevention of Cancer.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On February 2, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain attended the commemorative ceremony of the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the Federation of Colleges of Lawyers of Europe.

According to the official website for the royal house of Spain, His Majesty was accompanied by “…the President of the Constitutional Court, Pascual Sala, the Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, and the President of Parlamenta in Catalonia, Nuria Gispert.”

During the ceremony His Majesty gave a speech noting the importance of today’s commoration:

…[it] has given us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of the profession of lawyer for the functioning of the rule of law, and on the need to support a vital role for the defense of the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

I know that today is facing new challenges specific to advanced and technological societies, at the time which is still actively engaged with other essential purposes. I am referring to safeguard professional secrecy or the assertion of a code of conduct at European level, based on solid values, laying down fundamental principles for the exercise of the legal profession…

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On the evening of January 24, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain was at the Teatro Real in Madrid where she attended the performance of the one act opera, Iolanta, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the opera,  Perséphone, by Igor Stravinsky.  Upon her arrival Her Majesty was greeted by the President of the Board of the Teatro Real Foundation, Mr. Gregorio Marañón y Bertrán de Lis, the Director-General of the Teatro Real, Mr. Miguel Muñiz, and the Artistic Director of the Teatro Real, Mr. Gerard Mortier.

On January 25, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain welcomed the President of Peru, Mr. Ollanta Humala at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Later in the evening His Majesty along with Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias attended a gala dinner at the royal palace in  honor of Mr. Humala’s official visit to Spain. Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On January 24, 2012, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias participated in a reception to welcome members of the diplomatic corps in Spain held at the royal palace in Madrid.  Also in attendance were Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel García-Margallo and many others.

During the reception, held in the Throne Room, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I gave a speech regarding the economic crisis in Europe stating:

…the international economic crisis overcoming demand promote the opening up of economies and trade.  To do this Spain is prepared to continue filling up with economic content excellent relations with all the countries you represent.  Spain is today a world leader in sectors such as the infrastructures, civil engineering, telecommunications and renewable energy.

With regards to the European Union and the crisis affecting the Euro His Majesty noted:

Spain believes that the solution of the problems that affect the Union only can come from the strengthening of economic governance, fiscal discipline, the coordination of economic policies, structural reforms and the instruments of financial stabilization, we return to the path of economic growth and job creation.

His Majesty also discussed the importance of strengthening ties with Latin America and Asia as well.

To watch videos as well as to view photos from today’s reception please click the links below:

• VIDEO
• VIDEO 2
• Gallery One

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey