February 9, 1964
Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma, the fiancé of Princess Irene of the Netherlands, has told the Dutch Government that he has "not given up his political aspirations in Spain," reports the New York Times.
His father, Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma, is a "claimant to the Spanish throne." He and his wife, Princess Madeleine, are expected to arrive in the Netherlands sometime tomorrow.
Prince Carlo's chance to become King of Spain has been "deemed remote," but the Dutch Government feels that "his ambition might involve him in political activities," which would be "inappropriate" for the husband of a Princess "second in line to the Dutch throne."
The Dutch government does not want to be linked with Generalissmo Francisco Franco and Spain.
The Princess was also told that her marriage would cause further controversy in the Dutch Parliament if a bill for consent was put forward. After more than five hours of conversations between the Prime Minister and Prince Carlos and Princess Irene and her parents, Irene made the decision to renounce her rights to the throne. Her younger sister, Princess Margriet, will become second in line to the Dutch throne after Irene's marriage.
The couple, "radiantly happy, broke their seclusion" this afternoon for a 20 minute photo session in the palace gardens.
The Associated Press, quoting "well-qualified sources." reported that the Premier told Queen Juliana a "demand for approval" of the marriage would "compel his cabinet to resign." His concern focused on Prince Carlos Hugo's decision to not "give up his position as the leading figure" in Spain's Carlist movement.
Princess Beatrix, the heir to the throne, sees this as a "threat to the throne she will inherit one day."
According to the source, "Irene then was under pressure from Beatrix and also Princess Margriet to step aside."
Princess Irene, in renouncing her rights and her decision to live outside of the Netherlands, will lose her annual parliamentary grant of $55,000 a year.
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