Royal golden wedding anniversary canceled due to infidelity

[BessieWallis Warfield]

Sofia is posing with the Palmas again in Washington. I bet she did this to piss JC off.

Those kids are getting so big!!  I feel sorry for the eldest - he knows what's going on.

[BessieWallis Warfield]

Once could argue that Sofia is posing with the kids, and Inaki and Cristina are looking away.  She can't go visit the kids without seeing those two.

Frankly, I don't think she gives a #@$% about JC anymore, and whether it looks good for the SRF, and will pose with whomever and whatever she pleases.  Gloves are coming off, folks!

[fairy]

Sofia is no golddigger. She was born into a royal family, is a princess in her own right and was brought up to marry a wealthy, influencial prince. Back then that wasn't an ambigious plan but an understandable expectation.
Also at the time the marriage was beyond repair (perhaps 1976, as this year was mentioned as the year the couple started having seperate bedrooms) the children were still small and divorces were still much more stigmatized esp in countries like Spain, while at the same time the very conservative rules of royal courts were fully intact.
No way she would have been allowed to stay in Spain and in no case at all would she been allowed to live with her children. Contact with them would have been restricted to some weeks during the summer holidays and perhaps a couple of shorter stays thru out the year.
I cannot believe Sofia would have done that.
Apparently they had come to some sort of agreement. But what's too much is too much.
BTW, can't believe that Sofia had no knowledge of Corinna accompanying the king to official events. There are too many courtiers that would have spilled the beans.

[Little_star]

Once could argue that Sofia is posing with the kids, and Inaki and Cristina are looking away.  She can't go visit the kids without seeing those two.

Frankly, I don't think she gives a #@$% about JC anymore, and whether it looks good for the SRF, and will pose with whomever and whatever she pleases.  Gloves are coming off, folks!

She doesn't need to be photographed with Inaki and Cristina when visiting the kids. By being seen with them it's almost like she is condoning what Inaki has done, which is dangerous. IMO.

I can understand Sofia wanting to stick 2 fingers up at J-C but I'm surprised to see her potentially risking Felipe and Leonor's future.

[Laprincess]

They can have a civil wedding. She might not be Queen, but still his wife, can accompany him everywhere officially. Monarchy is part of the political system, Felipe has become more powerful the last few years, so the monarchy is not about JC alone. I doubt it would get abolished because of JC's private life. Of course, the voice of abdication would become louder and louder if JC and Sofia divorce, but if the old man insists on sitting on the throne, what can you do ? Nobody can force the King to abdicate.

I disagree. British prime minister forced Edward VIII to abdicate. If JC's approval rating drops below 50% and abdication calls are high, Spanish prime minister could threaten him with a constitutional referendum on the monarchy if he doesn't abdicate. So JC will have the choice to yield the throne to Felipe or risk the SRF being thrown out all together.

Given the dismal economic situation in Spain, I don't think any Spaniards would be interested in seeing a king who's pre-occupied with his own marital issues and mistress. If any divorce talk comes up, I can see his approval rating drops below 50% and more Spaniards call for abdication. It's not so much that they side with Sofia. It's that they have no patience with any politicians/institutions that are not working on solving their job situation. 

[Laprincess]

Once could argue that Sofia is posing with the kids, and Inaki and Cristina are looking away.  She can't go visit the kids without seeing those two.

Frankly, I don't think she gives a #@$% about JC anymore, and whether it looks good for the SRF, and will pose with whomever and whatever she pleases.  Gloves are coming off, folks!

She doesn't need to be photographed with Inaki and Cristina when visiting the kids. By being seen with them it's almost like she is condoning what Inaki has done, which is dangerous. IMO.

I can understand Sofia wanting to stick 2 fingers up at J-C but I'm surprised to see her potentially risking Felipe and Leonor's future.

I agree with Little Star on this. She should avoid being photographed with Inaki at all costs. Felipe can't be happy with this. But being someone who has a tough time talking my mother into employing "tough love" on my sister, I can understand Felipe's frustration.   

[Cloaked]

It was Miguel's 10th birthday on 30th April.
Do you think that they are carrying a birthday cake?

It could be dangerous for Sofia to be photographed with Inaki but I doubt whether these photos will really reflect at all on Felipe and Leonor.  They seem totally like doting Grandmother shots.  They could endear Sofia to Spain more, in a way.  Sofia shows that her grand-children's welfare is paramount and above politics, scandals and putting on a fine show for JC.
Felipe has not been implicated in any illegal behaviour.

[Honnish]

Enough is enough!

But are they too old to divorce or would they keep the status quo and let him play with her on the side?

British press delivered the salacious details, without naming her. Corinna Larsen got her lawyers to write to the major newspapers, with the recommendation not to mention her name. The same rules that has protected Wayne Rooney and John Terry against the mention of their sexual excesses.

Ohh, an injunction?

[marinerito]

They can have a civil wedding. She might not be Queen, but still his wife, can accompany him everywhere officially. Monarchy is part of the political system, Felipe has become more powerful the last few years, so the monarchy is not about JC alone. I doubt it would get abolished because of JC's private life. Of course, the voice of abdication would become louder and louder if JC and Sofia divorce, but if the old man insists on sitting on the throne, what can you do ? Nobody can force the King to abdicate.

I disagree. British prime minister forced Edward VIII to abdicate. If JC's approval rating drops below 50% and abdication calls are high, Spanish prime minister could threaten him with a constitutional referendum on the monarchy if he doesn't abdicate. So JC will have the choice to yield the throne to Felipe or risk the SRF being thrown out all together.

Given the dismal economic situation in Spain, I don't think any Spaniards would be interested in seeing a king who's pre-occupied with his own marital issues and mistress. If any divorce talk comes up, I can see his approval rating drops below 50% and more Spaniards call for abdication. It's not so much that they side with Sofia. It's that they have no patience with any politicians/institutions that are not working on solving their job situation. 

Laprincess, I agree with dKaren in this. There is no way that the government would even consider a constitutional referendum on the monarchy. And the economic situation makes it even more improbable. In order to simply propose that kind of constitutional change, the parliament needs to approve it by at least 2/3 of the votes, then the parliament is dissolved and general elections held. The if the new parliament (and the new government) still decides to continue the process, the parliament will vote again and if the result is "yes" (by 2/3 of the parliament again) then there will be a referendum.

The government would need to be very confident in their ability to win the new elections in order to do this. And not only that: suppose  they go on with the process, the referendum is done and the people decide to oust the Royals, then what? a presidential republic, France style? a parliamentary republic like Italy? A federated state? Also, wouldn't it be a good time for the more independentist minded regions to go for it? You need to have an answer to these issues before you decide to start this process IMO. It is not so simple as just saying "Ok, we are have had enough of the old goat, lets get rid of him"

And most people were angrier about the elephant than about the mistress, I'm afraid. Most people assumed that they were leading separate lifes since the eighties at least, nobody was bothered by that. Even now, there is more curiosity than anger about Corinna.

[tigerben]

King of Spain's marriage 'on rocks' as anniversary ignored
BY FIONA GOVAN IN MADRID
KING Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain will not hold private or public celebrations of their Golden Wedding anniversary, the royal court has confirmed, in a development that appears to confirm an estrangement in the relationship.

Making the Irish independent newspaper today!

[Laprincess]

marinerito, I wasn't talking about a real constitution referendum. I'm talking about using it as a "threat". dkaren seems to say the king can't be forced to abdicate. I think it can be done through a threat of either abdication or referendum. I didn't say it definitely will happen or likely to happen. I just say it's not an impossibility. That's all.

[Cara]

They can have a civil wedding. She might not be Queen, but still his wife, can accompany him everywhere officially. Monarchy is part of the political system, Felipe has become more powerful the last few years, so the monarchy is not about JC alone. I doubt it would get abolished because of JC's private life. Of course, the voice of abdication would become louder and louder if JC and Sofia divorce, but if the old man insists on sitting on the throne, what can you do ? Nobody can force the King to abdicate.

I disagree. British prime minister forced Edward VIII to abdicate. If JC's approval rating drops below 50% and abdication calls are high, Spanish prime minister could threaten him with a constitutional referendum on the monarchy if he doesn't abdicate. So JC will have the choice to yield the throne to Felipe or risk the SRF being thrown out all together.

Given the dismal economic situation in Spain, I don't think any Spaniards would be interested in seeing a king who's pre-occupied with his own marital issues and mistress. If any divorce talk comes up, I can see his approval rating drops below 50% and more Spaniards call for abdication. It's not so much that they side with Sofia. It's that they have no patience with any politicians/institutions that are not working on solving their job situation. 

Laprincess, I agree with dKaren in this. There is no way that the government would even consider a constitutional referendum on the monarchy. And the economic situation makes it even more improbable. In order to simply propose that kind of constitutional change, the parliament needs to approve it by at least 2/3 of the votes, then the parliament is dissolved and general elections held. The if the new parliament (and the new government) still decides to continue the process, the parliament will vote again and if the result is "yes" (by 2/3 of the parliament again) then there will be a referendum.

The government would need to be very confident in their ability to win the new elections in order to do this. And not only that: suppose  they go on with the process, the referendum is done and the people decide to oust the Royals, then what? a presidential republic, France style? a parliamentary republic like Italy? A federated state? Also, wouldn't it be a good time for the more independentist minded regions to go for it? You need to have an answer to these issues before you decide to start this process IMO. It is not so simple as just saying "Ok, we are have had enough of the old goat, lets get rid of him"

And most people were angrier about the elephant than about the mistress, I'm afraid. Most people assumed that they were leading separate lifes since the eighties at least, nobody was bothered by that. Even now, there is more curiosity than anger about Corinna.

nice post marinemoto.

using it as a threat is pointless if you do not plan to go through with it. JC is well aware that such a referendum will open a can of worms and that no government will want to take that risk.

marinemoto, i also had the feeling that the mistress wasn't the issue but more that he undertook what looks like an extravagant trip during those tough economic times. not sure if it would have been such a scandal if spain were doing well.

[jigmesjigga]

Elephant hunting trips are expensive, gold-digging mistresses are expensive, fraudulent son-in-laws are expensive and angry wives are probably even more expensive (see Kobe Bryant).  I don't think Sofia would divorce him and why should she?  It probably would make him more miserable and now that it's all out in the open, it makes him look totally ridiculous.  Team Sofia!

[marinerito]

marinerito, I wasn't talking about a real constitution referendum. I'm talking about using it as a "threat". dkaren seems to say the king can't be forced to abdicate. I think it can be done through a threat of either abdication or referendum. I didn't say it definitely will happen or likely to happen. I just say it's not an impossibility. That's all.

I understand what you mean Laprincess :-), my point is that going ahead with a referendum is too costly in political and stability terms, to the point to be almost insane to even introduce the subject in the kind economic and social of situation Spain is now. JC knows it and the government knows it. That threat would carry no weight IMO.

nice post marinemoto.

using it as a threat is pointless if you do not plan to go through with it. JC is well aware that such a referendum will open a can of worms and that no government will want to take that risk.

marinemoto, i also had the feeling that the mistress wasn't the issue but more that he undertook what looks like an extravagant trip during those tough economic times. not sure if it would have been such a scandal if spain were doing well.

Thank you, Cara :-)

Actually there is more outrage about the killing elephants thing than about the money, after all the trip was paid by the billionaire friend who invited him. Then, the government officials saying that they didn't know where the king was, and all this happening while Froilan was in hospital and the Urdangarin affair getting worse by the day... People got the impression that the family was out of control and the king was just letting them do as they pleased, couldn't be bothered as long as he could do as he pleased himself. That's what has most people furious. The mistress? mostly prurient curiosity about her, not real anger, and I don't think it will generate it unless proof is found that he has somehow used public funds for her benefit or something like this.

[DowntownTO]

Could be a refreshing change if it had been, for instance, Marge who was a lusty old gal and had lovers galore in her wake and a current youngish (compared to her) hottie living in Fredensborg - but it´s always the men, isn´t it.  

Maybe it's just the men who are stupid enough to get caught? 

Shhhh. Women are better at getting away with murder too - not that I think that is OK, but we ARE smarter! 

Thanks, abs, and here's one for you!