In Europe, the situation in Spain amongst the media and chattering classes has become deplorable revolving around the exploitative book of a so-called journalist that accused HM King Juan Carlos of being behind the military coup that he has traditionally been praised for stopping. Some have jumped to the ridiculous conclusion that anything less than a total denial from the palace is as good as an admission of guilt; that the King was behind the coup as a way of gaining more power (which he already had to begin with so…that would be odd) only to then come out against it when he knew it was going to fail (and he knew this how?) which, while obviously absurd, has sullied something that almost everyone in Spain used to hold the King in high regard for. In other words, regardless of the fact that it is all unsubstantiated lies, the book and the media that has blathered on and on about it have still succeeded in further weakening the monarchy. And it seems a huge coincidence that this all came about just as the prestige of the monarchy seemed to be on the rebound in Spain. Not long after those assertions were made in the media (though it should not have had to come to this) an official statement was released by Zarzuela Palace denying the ridiculous allegations in the book. It was also announced last week that HM Queen Sofia and TRH the Prince and Princess of the Asturias will have legal immunity from the lower courts and can only be tried by the Supreme Court if there are ever any charges made against them, this coming about, obviously, because of the case involving HRH the Infanta Cristina and her husband and concerns that witch-hunting lawyers may try to drag other royals into the courts simply for the sake of sensationalism.
In the Low Countries, Prince Felix of Luxembourg held a wine-tasting last Tuesday at the Threeland Hotel where guests sampled wines produced from the estate in France which Prince Felix and his wife Princess Claire own and operate. In Belgium, royal brother Prince Laurent was finally released from hospital after a disturbing bout with pneumonia kept him there for the last three weeks (the Royal Family is asking all to respect his privacy) and in The Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were happy to host a visit by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Later, the King of Sweden visited Halland to check on the new food and tourism initiatives underway there. Also, despite being beyond the legal retirement age, King Harald V of Norway is busier than ever. Not only does he have the busiest schedule of anyone in the Norwegian Royal Family but, rather than slowing down, he has increased his official activities by 40% since last year. Given that the King has had some serious health problems in the past, this is certainly remarkable and a testament to his devotion to duty.
The biggest news of last week though, of course, revolved around the House of Windsor with even something so momentous as the Queen hosting an official visit by the President of Ireland was overshadowed by the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with little Prince George, to New Zealand and Australia. There was a play date for Prince George, yacht races for mom and dad and lots of talk about the fashion choices of the Duchess of Cambridge but Prince George was the focus of most attention. All in all, the loyal and affectionate crowds of New Zealand gave the royals a warm welcome, though, of course, there were the republican traitors ready to do their best in futile efforts to ruin things. One rented an airplane to tow a large banner calling for a native-born head of state as the royals landed in the country; which should prove to any rational person that republicans are as childish as their rude and hypocritical. Still, those pleased with the visit seemed to be the large majority and hopefully the Cambridge visit will help to roll back the treasonous tide in New Zealand. And, hopefully, they will go on to further success in Australia.
Back in Britain, however, what should have been a happy occasion of two heads of state coming together in reconciliation was marred by the presence of an unrepentant terrorist. The occasion was the visit of Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, the first official Irish state visit to the United Kingdom, but the ugliness was provided by the presence of Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and former commander in the Provisional IRA during a time when many British people were killed by their bombings and assorted terrorist attacks and when Lord Mountbatten was murdered. He also formerly ran as the Sinn Fein candidate for Irish President (losing to Higgins). Obviously, I would not consider the politics of President Higgins ideal but no blame can be attached to him on this occasion. He returned the state visit of the Queen to Ireland with great civility and respect. He paid his respects to the late Lord Mountbatten and called for all those guilty of acts of violence during “The Troubles” to apologize. British-Irish relations have improved a great deal recently and have risen above the grudges that still afflict Northern Ireland and, of course, McGuinness and his party are the primary reason for that. It is an outrage that he should have attended this function, it is an outrage that the Queen should have had to tolerate his presence. Would anyone expect the President of the United States to have dinner with an unrepentant former member of al-Qaeda? Well, maybe that’s a bad analogy to make because this one just might but it simply rubs salt in the wound for all those who were victims of republican terrorist attacks in both Ireland and Britain to see a former terrorist leader entrusted with high office and able to rub elbows with the monarch. It is disgraceful and disgusting.
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