Friday, 5 December 2014

Memories of times past

Opening an exhibition this week, a former monarch and his consort came face to face with the past. Juan Carlos I and Sofia of Spain officially launched a special selection of paintings that are on show at the Royal Palace in Madrid and which focus on the importance of the portrait in the monarchy. And on their arrival they were greeted with a giant picture of themselves and their children several decades ago.


A king, a queen, a time long gone - Juan Carlos and Sofia pose in front of a portrait of them and their children in more settled times

The portrait, by Antonio Lopez, shows a much younger Juan Carlos at the centre of the family. His consort is on his left, his heir on her left while his two daughters stand to his right. The king's arm is placed around the shoulder of his first born child, the Infanta Elena, while his other hand rests on Queen Sofia's back. All five stare out of the painting but it is only the queen who really smiles. The moment in history was revealed for the exhibition and is a reminder of how the Spanish Royal Family used to look.



The portrait was painted before the troubled years that have recently engulfed the family. It shows the nucleus of the new monarchy with Juan Carlos at its head and his wife and children spreading out to extend the royal reach further. The painting exudes confidence, calmness and a sense of solidity - all things that have since been harder to find for Spain's royals.

The exhibition focuses on portraits of many of Spain's kings and royals but it was the most modern and most recent of kings past that caught everyone's imagination at the launch. A rare public appearance for King Juan Carlos and a rare chance to see the man of today next to the image of yesterday. Juan Carlos and Sofia both looked impressed with the portrait but it was a strange moment for them and for those who looked on. A former monarch and his consort, face to face with memories of times past.
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Royal Christmas Countdown: December 5th 2014

Five days into December, the weather is getting colder and Christmas is just around the corner. To get in the holiday spirit, every day there will be a new festive photo and today it's the turn of the Spanish royals. King Juan Carlos I gave his final Christmas Eve address as monarch in 2013 - although it would be almost six months before he revealed that he was abdicating his throne in favour of his son, now King Felipe VI. Juan Carlos talked about the economic problems facing Spain in some depth in his final festive address. Behind the king was the traditional backdrop of a crib scene. The Spanish monarch usually speaks to the nation on December 24th and this year, for the first time, that honour falls to Felipe.


King Juan Carlos speaks to the Spanish people in what would be his final Christmas address on December 24th 2013

You can see the full address as well as the other images from the festive advent calendar at the special Royal Christmas Countdown page.

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Thursday, 4 December 2014

The Red Queens

Against a backdrop of winter white skies a queen needs to stand out. When the clouds are grey and the world is wrapped in black and navy against the dark days of December, a consort needs to announce her presence. And what better way than a dash of brash colour? The longest reigning queen consort on the continent and the newest in the royal wives' club both chose the same answer to the dilemma of drabness this week. Silvia of Sweden and Letizia of Spain became the Red Queens.


Letizia in red on her arrival in Berlin on December 1st 2014

The Spanish consort was seen in red on the first day of December when she arrived in Berlin with her husband for an introductory visit to Germany. Stepping off the plane and into sub zero temperatures, Letizia chose a bright red coat with matching scarf. There were no gloves or hats and the queen did look cold as she took part in an official welcome. And if anyone had missed the scarf they knew all about it by the time she got inside as she clutched it to her chin to keep herself warm.


Still warming up - Queen Letizia signs the visitors book on her arrival in Berlin

There was another chance to see the combo later in the day when the royal couple visited the Brandenbeg Gate. And as temperatures plummeted further, Queen Letizia was still in red as she met the German chancellor, Angela, Merkel, as night began to fall.



Queen Silvia chose red for her arrival in Paris on December 2nd at the start of a state visit with her husband, King Carl XVI Gustaf,. As the royal couple made their way to the steps of the Elysee Palace to be greeted by the French President, Francois Hollande, the consort showed off a bright red coat matched with black hat and gloves. The Queen of Sweden was ready for the weather.


A queen in Paris - Silvia of Sweden on the steps of the Elysee Palace

Silvia was still in red for her visit to Paris St Germain Football Club that afternoon where the royal couple heard about te PSG Foundation which funds sport and education for children in less affluent areas. They also met one of the three Swedish players at the club, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


Queen Silvia stands out in her red cost as she meets Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Paris St Germain

And the red was still in evidence as the queen visited the Swedish School and the Swedish Church in the City of Lights. The day may have been grey but Silvia, red queen for the day, stood out in the gathering winter gloom.




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Royal Countdown to Christmas 2014: December 4th

Christmas is getting closer and to get into the festive spirit there will be a new royal sparkly photo every day until Christmas Eve. Today it's the turn of Norway's Royal Family to get the holiday started. The image is from their official Christmas photos of 2013.


And all the Christmas images from 2013, along with all the other photos from the Royal Countdown to Christmas 2014 can be found on the special page - just click the link above.
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Wednesday, 3 December 2014

How Letizia said hello

The King and Queen of Spain have completed their introductory visits for this year and it's been a whirlwind of tours for them in the six months since Felipe VI took his country's throne.


From the Vatican to Berlin, Felipe and Letizia have met heads of state, leading politicians and community groups as they popped around Europe saying hello to the neighbours. And while the king made the big speeches, a lot of attention was on his wife and what she wore for each visit. Have your say on the best of the hello outfits by voting in the poll - click the graph on the right hand side of the main page. And to help pick, here's a round up of how Letizia said hello.

The Vatican, June 30th 2014

The first visit the new king and queen made was to Pope Francis at the Vatican. Felipe and Letizia arrived there on June 30th 2014, less than two weeks after the new monarch's accession. The queen consort exercised her right, as the wife of a Catholic monarch, to wear white in the presence of the pope.




Portugal, July 7th 2014

The second visit of the new reign was to the neighbouring country of Portugal where King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia spent a day in Portugal where they met the President, the Prime Minister and other leading politicians. The queen chose a powder blue suit for her sunshine stay.





Morocco, July 14th - 15th 2014

Then it was off to Morocco for a two day introductory visit which began with an official welcome.


It was also the first time the royal couple were entertained to a banquet in their honour as part of the introductory visits.


King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V on their second day in the country.


Later the same day, Queen Letizia visited the Lalla Samma Centre for Cancer Research where she met patients and doctors before being given an official send off by her hosts.






France, July 2nd 2014

The Queen of Spain visited the City of Light as July would towards its end. Letizia accompanied Felipe on a one day visit to Paris where they met the Preisdent, Francois Hollande, were entertained to lunch and then spent the afternoon holding audiences with other leading politicians in the French capital.



The Netherlands, October 15th 2014

After the summer break, King Felipe and Queen Letizia resumed their introductory tours with a visit to their friends - and fellow new crowned heads on the block - King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. The Spanish royals began their day with hugs in The Hague before meeting politicians after lunch.



Luxembourg, November 11th 2014

King Felipe and Queen Letizia headed to Luxembourg on November 11th 2014 for their introductory visit to that court. They were greeted by the Heredtiary Grand Duke, Guillaume, and then had lunch with the Grand Duke and Duchess and other members of the Royal Family before meeting politicians during their one day stay.





Begium, November 12th 2014

The following day, King Felipe and Queen Letizia headed to Brussels for their introductory visit to Belgium. It was a chance to see the two newest kings on the continent together as the Spanish royals met up with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

Italy, November 19th 2014


week later, Felipe and Letizia headed to Rome for an audience with the oldest head of state in Europe, President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy. This introductory visit followed the pattern of many others with tours of parliament buildings and meetings with leading politicians.



Germany, December 1st 2014

The last visit of 2014 was to Berlin where the king and queen landed in freezing conditions with temperatures at around minus two Celsius. Letizia wrapped up in a red coat and scarf before revealing a black jacket and patterned skirt in black and white for her indoors engagements. Meetings with President Joachim Gaucke and Chancellor Angela Merkel were highlights of the day along with a visit to the Brandenberg Gate.

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