News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.
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Monday, June 2, 2014
BULLETIN: KING JUAN CARLOS TO ABDICATE!
King Juan Carlos of Spain announced this morning he will abdicate in favor of his only son, Felipe, the Prince of Asturias.
given that the new king will have only daughters, will the eldest have any new titles? Amalia became Princess of Orange but their laws are different, and i'm not as familiar with Spanish customs as far as what is traditional (i.e. Prince of Wales) and what is automatic (i.e. Duke of Cornwall).
Michelle, Infanta Leonor will become automatically the Princess of Asturias. She would only lose that title if Letizia has a son, which is unlikely. There were discussions about changing the succession to gender equality, but it never got off the ground (it is a complicated matter in Spain, as it would include the need to be passed by 2 consecutive Parliaments for starters.)
The entire process should take a few weeks as the Government and both houses of Parliament need to pass the legislation. Felipe should be king by end of June.
Spain has been a Monarchy for many centuries, the problem is we haven´t had a King from 1931 to 1975 and there isn´t a legal procedure about an abdication as in The Netherlands or Belgium where they know what to do because have had several abdications. Spanish Constitution was approved in 1978 and it says in case of an abdication is necessary to approve a law. Spanish Parliament has to approve now that new law and then to start the official procedure. Probably, according Spanish media, Prince Felipe will become officially King of Spain on the 16th of June.
Is this the start of a new trend in European monarchies? Just so it does not happen in the UK it's OK. Well, at least for now.
ReplyDeletegiven that the new king will have only daughters, will the eldest have any new titles? Amalia became Princess of Orange but their laws are different, and i'm not as familiar with Spanish customs as far as what is traditional (i.e. Prince of Wales) and what is automatic (i.e. Duke of Cornwall).
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Infanta Leonor will become automatically the Princess of Asturias. She would only lose that title if Letizia has a son, which is unlikely. There were discussions about changing the succession to gender equality, but it never got off the ground (it is a complicated matter in Spain, as it would include the need to be passed by 2 consecutive Parliaments for starters.)
ReplyDeleteThe abdication has been announced, but when will the kingship be officially transferred to Felipe?
ReplyDeleteThe entire process should take a few weeks as the Government and both houses of Parliament need to pass the legislation. Felipe should be king by end of June.
ReplyDeleteSpain has been a Monarchy for many centuries, the problem is we haven´t had a King from 1931 to 1975 and there isn´t a legal procedure about an abdication as in The Netherlands or Belgium where they know what to do because have had several abdications.
ReplyDeleteSpanish Constitution was approved in 1978 and it says in case of an abdication is necessary to approve a law.
Spanish Parliament has to approve now that new law and then to start the official procedure. Probably, according Spanish media, Prince Felipe will become officially King of Spain on the 16th of June.