In a traditional ceremony held at the royal palace in Madrid, His Majesty delivered letters accrediting six new ambassadors to Spain recognizing them as representatives of their respective countries. The new ambassadors come from Andorra, Ecuador, Pakistan, Romania, Sweden, and Tunisia.
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Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
On January 6, 2012, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe of and Princess Letizia of Asturias presided over Pascua Militar 2012 held at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain.
After the national anthem followed by a 21-gun salute, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I inspected the royal guards in Armory Square. Afterward, the royal foursome made their way inside the palace to the Throne Room where His Majesty the King gave a speech in front of dozens of civil and military representatives including the new Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, the Defense Minister, Pedro Moreno, Interior Minister, Jorge Fernandez and Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral General Fernando García Sánchez.
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Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin, left Washington D.C., to prepare for his upcoming February 25, 2012, corruption case.
Mr. Urdangarin along with his business partner, Diego Torres, and three others are accused of embezzlement, fraud, misuse of public funds, and forgery from the non-profit organization they once presided over, Instituto Nóos.
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On Saturday, December 31, 2011, a Spanish court in Palma de Majorca postponed the appearance of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain’s son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin, on accusations of corruption following legal representations. Mr. Urdangarin will now have to appear on February 25, 2012, instead of February 6.
Apparently, Judge Jose Aragon, who is in charge of the case, had received a number of requests from lawyers, including Urdangarin’s own, to put off the hearing to give them time to study the file.
The judge is investigating corruption in a non-profit organisation, Instituto Noos, formerly run by Urdangarin who is married to the His Majesty’s youngest daughter, Her Royal Highness Infanta Cristina. Mr. Urdangarin’s lawyer, Mario Pascual Vives, said his client was “absolutely innocent”.
In a court document it notes that “… state prosecutors are investigating suspected forgery, perversion of the course of justice, fraud and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of several million euros…” according to AFP.
On December 12, the royal family suspended Mr. Urdangarin from official engagements and the palace’s highest official, Rafael Spottorno, gave an unprecedented rebuke, telling Spanish media his behaviour “does not seem exemplary”.
Source Associated Press and AFP
On December 29, 2011, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain’s son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin, was ordered to appear in court in Palma, Majorca on February 6, 2012 to testify “…as a suspect in a high-profile corruption probe…”
Mr.Urdangarin is “…being investigated over claims he misused public funds given to a foundation he ran” an accusation which he firmly denies.
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Sources: BBC and the Associated Press
The palace released detailed information regarding the members of the Spanish royal family’s finances on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. His Majesty King Juan Carlos I earns $382,597 a year and His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias earns $191,297. The palace said that of His Majesty’s gross income, just under half was his personal salary and the rest was designated for expenses. The king pays 40% in tax on the total sum.
Her Majesty Queen Sofia and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Cristina, Princess Elena and Princess Letizia receive $483,553. The palace is assigned an annual budget by Parliament which totaled $11 million in 2011.
Source: The Associated Press
Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
On December 27, 2011, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the opening of the Tenth Legislature Parliament in Madrid, Spain.
Upon their arrival the royal foursome were received by the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, and the Chief of State of Defense, Julio Rodríguez Fernández.
Once inside the Spanish Parliament building His Majesty King Juan Carlos I delivered a speech in front of 350 deputies and 264 senators elected by the popular vote in the recent November 20, 2011 elections.
To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:
Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
The Royal Correspondent 