A modern royal operation

King Juan Carlos of Spain is now in the Quiron hospital in Madrid ahead of an operation this evening to mend the hip replacement that has become infected.  The royal household will send text messages to let the media, waiting outside, that the operation has begun and there will be a press conference at the end of the procedure.

 

King Juan Carlos of Spain arrives at the Quiron hospital in Madrid ahead of his operation

 

The king has been joking with journalists for the last twenty four hours and his son, Prince Felipe, spoke this morning of his father's high spirits ahead of the operation.  There has been intense media speculation over just about everything linked to the Spanish monarchy ever since reports last Thursday that Juan Carlos had suffered a set back in his recovery following another operation earlier this year.  The royals will be hoping that the press conference that follows the procedure this evening will allow the rumours to simmer down a bit, even if only for a short while.