The Abdication of King Juan Carlos

It came as quite a surprise yesterday morning to wake up to news that His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain had announced his intention to abdicate. First seeing it in the Spanish-language media, I even got a second opinion to make sure I was not mistaken (not that the word “abdica” leaves much room for doubt). I had not picked up on any hints about this from the King and HM Queen Sofia had flat out said it would not happen. Obviously, after the absurdly idiotic and hysterical outbursts toward the King dating back to the now infamous hunting trip in Africa (which cost no Spanish taxpayer anything, everyone seems to forget) there were calls for abdication and even some treasonous crowds in the streets demanding an end to the monarchy altogether (and if history is anything to go by, we could count on the “Third Spanish Republic” being the worst one yet). However, it seemed that the King was prepared to shoulder the burden and carry on in spite of all of that, even with increasingly problematic medical problems to deal with. But them, of course, on top of all of that was the legal battles surrounding HRH Infanta Cristina. Perhaps, taken all together, it has become too much for the King to deal with.

Long-time readers will know that I do not generally regard abdications favorably. Of course, in some countries, it has become such a common practice for so long as to have practically become a tradition, however, I have always preferred the idea of ‘wearing the crown’ as a lifelong commitment, a sort of marriage if you like, in which, like Queen Elizabeth I of England, a monarch is “married” to his or her country, till death parts them. Sometimes it is necessary that a monarch ‘take one for the team’ as with King Edward VIII in Britain or King Leopold III in Belgium and some have pointed out that this may have been the case with King Juan Carlos; that he realized his presence was having a negative effect on the monarchy, that his reputation was not going to recover to the soaring heights it had previously enjoyed and that it would improve the prospects of the long-term survival of the monarchy for him to step aside in favor of the Prince of the Asturias, a young 45, still on the dashing side and untainted by scandal. If that is true, it is to the credit of the King for putting the monarchy before himself, though it would still pain me to see the opponents of the King effectively winning by default.

That is my biggest concern; that this will be taken as a victory for all those who made themselves the enemies of King Juan Carlos personally and who orchestrated the whole ridiculous uproar against a monarch to whom every Spaniard owes a debt of gratitude. The entire fashionable trend lately toward abdication is one which I do not look on favorably. I thought Spain was sheltered from it, but it seems such is not the case. Really though, if the Pope can abdicate no monarch handing in their resignation should come as much of a surprise these days. So far (someone will correct me if I am wrong), the last monarch to reign until his death was HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco. It has a long tradition in the Netherlands, has not been uncommon in Luxembourg, King Albert II of the Belgians abdicated in spite of only one other monarch (his father) abdicating and that under very unique and unfortunate circumstances. Pope Benedict XVI abdicated (at least ‘sort of’) and there has been a good deal of chatter about it in Sweden and some even insist on bringing up the subject in the UK. It is worrisome that this may become such a trendy thing to do that monarchs not inclined to abdicate might feel pressure to do so.

As it concerns King Juan Carlos personally, I am sad to see him go and sad that it came at such a time. True, it may be for the better, but I had hoped he would get through the current unpleasantness and see his popularity restored after the public came to their senses. Rather like how everyone in Britain went hysterically off the deep-end when Diana died and, in time, came to feel rather embarrassed about it and realized that the Queen they had been so critical of was right all along. I was hoping for something like that to happen. Partly, I will admit, is because I like the King of Spain himself and I would hate for his reign to end on a low note. Looking back, I have probably banned or blocked more people for attacking King Juan Carlos than for any other reason. Just as the King would never tolerate anyone speaking ill of Generalissimo Franco in his presence, I would not tolerate anyone slandering King Juan Carlos in mine (or any place I hold sway) particularly questions of his right to the throne which is absurd and which idiocy I have become so disgusted by, I will not tolerate anything of the sort at all. He was a prince who was born and raised in exile but who was not content to stay that way but who actively worked to see the Spanish monarchy restored. I wish more non-reigning royals had the same attitude.

In his message, the King made mention of his past saying, “Loyal to the political wishes of my father, (Infante Juan Count of Barcelona) from whom I inherited the historical legacy of the Spanish monarchy, I have always wanted to be a king for all Spaniards. I identified with your aspirations, felt joy at your successes and suffered when pain or suffering overwhelmed you.” Stability and a freedom that allows for political change without resorting to violence are things Spain owes to King Juan Carlos and yet, he has also never been one to allow popularity to influence him. His refusal to join the crowd in bashing Generalissimo Franco is one is example of this, another (which I will always be grateful for) was his staunch defense of the national pastime of bullfighting which has come under ever increasing condemnation during his reign by animal rights activists. In a BBC interview the King was once pressed on this question and even Queen Sofia, who does not favor the national pastime, compared it to fox hunting in England. It should not escape notice that fox hunting has since been banned in England, despite its long history and place in the culture, yet the bulls continue to run in Spain. He has been known as a monarch who is approachable, down-to-earth but also not above speaking his mind such as when he famously asked the Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, “Why don’t you shut up?”, something that became a pop-culture phenomenon.

According to the King himself, the abdication came as a result of a feeling that he was no longer equal to the task required of him. It may be that there was more to it but I do not doubt his sincerity in saying, “My sole ambition has always been, and always will be, to help attain progress and wellbeing for all Spaniards in a climate of freedom. I want the best for Spain, to which I have dedicated my entire life and at whose service I have placed all my ability, my enthusiasm and my work. My son Felipe, Prince of Asturias and heir to the Crown, embodies the stability that is a defining feature of our monarchy. When I turned 76 last January, I felt that the time had come to prepare the handover to make way for someone who is in the best possible condition to maintain that stability”. He went on to praise the Prince of Asturias, to express confidence in the support he will have from Princess Letizia and to thank his own consort saying, “My gratitude also goes out to Queen Sofia, whose cooperation and generous support have never failed me.” That is certainly true and Queen Sofia has always been, in my estimation, one of the most admirable and praiseworthy royal figures of my lifetime.

The King ended his remarks by saying, “Spain will always be in my heart” and I have no doubt that is true. I hope the King will always be in the heart of the Spanish people and that, perhaps, with this abdication, a little more sober reflection will be undertaken that will allow everyone to assess the reign of King Juan Carlos as a whole and come to a better appreciation of the man and monarch. I cannot help but to have preferred this change were not happening until God called the King to His mercy but, the decision having been taken, I hope it will be for the best in preserving the Spanish monarchy long-term. King Juan Carlos I has abdicated, long live King Felipe VI!

When the King Spoke Up

Today is the anniversary of one of my favorite monarchial moments in the 21st Century. It was on this day in 2007 that HM King Juan Carlos I of Spain pointedly asked Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, “Why don’t you shut up?” at the Ibero-American Summit in Santiago, Chile. I must savor that moment at every opportunity. To refresh; Spanish Prime Minister (socialist) Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was giving a speech (which I’m sure few remember) but was constantly being interrupted by the insult-spewing commie dictator Chavez. The portly pinko was raving about the former (conservative -or what passes for one in Spain these days) Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, calling him a “fascist” ‘sub-human snake’ etc and accusing him of complicity in the (sadly unsuccessful) 2002 attempt to remove Chavez from power. Zapatero was growing more and more frustrated by these interruptions, as was everyone else who values civility, and was actually driven to the point of defending his predecessor on the grounds that, unlike Chavez, Aznar was at least a democratically elected public servant rather than a dictator. For Americans, this would be like Barack Obama being driven to defend George W. Bush. Things were obviously getting hot! Finally, unable to stand any more of his rude, childish behavior, King Juan Carlos leaned forward at Chavez and said, “Why don’t you shut up?”

Oh, it was a glorious moment! And, just for the cherry on top, the King used the form of address normally reserved for children or inferiors. The room erupted in applause for King Juan Carlos, avenger in the cause of common courtesy and probably the only one in the room with the clout to put the dictatorial blowhard in his place. Later the King stormed out when the communist child molester Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua (a loyal lapdog of Chavez) began criticizing Spain for opening energy companies in his country (yeah, you’re welcome for the jobs pinko). All in all, it was an extremely memorable summit for the King of Spain. Once it was over, the cowardly Chavez reasserted and even expanded his tirade to the press, calling the King of Spain ‘illegitimate’ and comparing former Prime Minister Aznar with Adolf Hitler. However, the King’s verbal slap-down of the overblown tyrant became an instant hit around the world as the phrase, “Por qué no te callas?” began appearing everywhere from ringtones to t-shirts to sports broadcasts. In Venezuela, the long suffering opponents of the Chavez regime adopted the phrase as their slogan. It became a sensation all over the Spanish-speaking world.

There were, of course, detractors. Some said the King was simply having a bad day in a time when things had not been going well for the Spanish monarchy, that he shouldn’t have ‘lost his cool’ in such a public arena or, even more grandly, that this was an illustration of the bitterness of Latin American nations toward Spain and the arrogance of Spain toward her former colonies. Blah, blah, blah! As far as I am concerned, this was a great moment and I think, on this at least, the majority would agree with me. Sean Penn may love the guy, but most of the world can see Hugo Chavez for the brutal, petty dictator that he is and when the King of Spain told him to shut his mouth he was saying what multitudes of other people in and outside of Venezuela would have loved to have been able to say themselves. Everyone was living vicariously through him at that moment, when he angrily pointed at Chavez, warning him he needed to behave himself and, that failing, finally leaning over to tell him to shut his pie hole. Would, say, Queen Elizabeth II say such a thing to someone like Robert Mugabe (back when Zimbabwe was still in the Commonwealth)? No, of course she wouldn’t. Would she be perfectly justified in doing so? Absolutely and without doubt. Just as King Juan Carlos was. I also have to mention that, the year after this incident, King Juan Carlos I was voted the most popular leader of the Ibero-American nations. Viva el Rey!

MM Video: King Juan Carlos

The 23-F Coup in Spain

It was yesterday, February 23, in 1981 that His Majesty King Juan Carlos I firmly made Spain a constitutional monarchy. He had, of course, officially made Spain a democratic, constitutional monarchy already, overseeing the transition away from the authoritarian regime of General Francisco Franco (may he rest in peace) but it was not until the events of 23 February 1981 and immediately thereafter that it was certain that the changes would be permanent. In the absence of the imposing figure of the late generalissimo Spain had become slightly chaotic. The instability caused business to pull out, unemployment shot up and separatist rebels thought they then had a chance to achieve their nefarious ends and began causing all sorts of trouble. Many in the military were unhappy, seeing their previous pride of place being lost to a gaggle of squabbling politicians and the restrictions on opposition parties being lifted. Some decided that the time had come to use force to restore military rule and a real or apparent royal authoritarian state. They expected the King to side with them. To their surprise, he did not.

On 23 February Lt. Colonel Antonio Tejero with 200 men of the Civil Guard, all brandishing weapons, firing machine guns into the air, stormed into the Spanish Congress of Deputies while a new prime minister (Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo) was being elected. Long known for his opposition to the Basque separatists, Tejero held the deputies hostage and announced that the military was taking control of the government. In Valencia another army captain declared martial law and tanks were soon rolling down the streets. It was their hope that King Juan Carlos would take charge of this state of emergency to assume absolute power and rule Spain through the military ringleaders of the coup. On the contrary, however, the King was horrified by what had happened and immediately got in contact with senior military officers, trying to determine who could be trusted, get a handle on the situation and organize forces to put down the attempted rebellion. The problem was that so many in the military especially and to a lesser extent the public at large, assumed that the King would support the coup and that there was therefore nothing to be done.

To counter this, King Juan Carlos decided to make a public address to the nation. Purposely wearing his full uniform as captain-general of the Spanish armed forces, he broadcast by television his opposition to the coup and called on all sections of Spanish society to stand together to maintain law and order and uphold the new constitution of the Kingdom of Spain. His influence was certainly the deciding factor as most of the military, bound by their oath of loyalty to the King, sided with Juan Carlos I against the attempted coup. Units rallied to commanders loyal to the King, rebel forces were disarmed and the congress surrounded. The next day, 24 February, the ringleaders surrendered and the coup collapsed. All the hostages were released and no one had been killed or seriously injured. The result was a huge wave of popular support for King Juan Carlos and the projection of the monarchy as the guarantor of both stability and democracy in Spain. No matter what the political orientation of individuals, almost everyone became a monarchist at that point and support for the monarchy became mainstream and bi-partisan.

However, since that time, some have been rather critical of King Juan Carlos for his actions, embracing democracy and rejecting the opportunity to restore absolute power. Those holding this sentiment have been, in a way, reinforced by the decline in support for the Spanish monarchy as more time elapses and the public take their freedoms for granted. Today most Spaniards still support the King but the monarchy as a whole remains on less firm ground with many wondering if “Juan Carlos the First” will be “Juan Carlos the Only”. By nature I would be inclined to support the King maintaining final authority over the government and when even parties adamantly opposed to the very existence of Spain or the monarchy (such as separatists and communists etc) are legalized I can only be disgusted. Yet, in all fairness, I can also recognize that it would have been very difficult for the Spain of Franco to continue on under King Juan Carlos given the direction Western Europe was going. Likewise, the widespread popular opposition to the coup and the huge wave of support the King gained by opposing it shows how much the Spanish people wanted the democratic changes and greater freedoms that came out of the new constitution. If the King had instead stood against that, who can say if he or the monarchy would have long survived? Even the most authoritarian governments (as we are seeing now) must have some level of popular support no matter how un-democratic and dictatorial they may be. There is only so much any government can do to force people to do the right thing (if you see it as the right thing) and if all the decades of rule by Franco could not do it I cannot see King Juan Carlos being any more successful had he opposed the constitutional changes. It is simply unfortunate that since that time so many have used their new freedoms to make bad choices, morally and politically.

King Juan Carlos was, I think, doing what he felt was right and with the best of intentions. Whether it was the right decision can and will be argued but if it was King Juan Carlos I should be applauded for bringing freedom to his people, and defending that freedom. If it was the wrong decision the changes that opponents wish for will only be possible when the opinions and values of the public change. Effort should be put in to changing that rather than trying to change the form of government. I would like to see Spain reject socialism, return to their religious roots, take pride in the glorious history of the Kingdom of Spain and I would like it to happen while maintaining the Spanish monarchy. Viva Juan Carlos! Viva España!

Complaining to the King of Spain

Although not the sort of thing I would do, I would like to draw attention to this open letter from Matthew Palardy of the blog Et Lux in Tenebris Lucet addressed to His Catholic Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain. I certainly share most of his sentiments and on certain issues I would assume His Catholic Majesty does as well; he certainly does on the subject of bullfighting (a sport the King and your humble blogger are avid fans of) but it was always assumed the EU would be a greater threat on that front than the Spanish government itself. However, beyond the issues being addressed I wanted to draw attention to this letter because it is one of the finest examples I have seen of how to gripe correctly. This is how a sincere and loyal monarchist states complaints. Have a look.

Reminder: Spain IS a Constitutional Monarchy

The blog Royal World explains some of the facts of life about King Juan Carlos I, abortion and the constitutional monarchy in Spain. Why oh why do so many monarchists seem to show so much zeal tearing down monarchs and other monarchists rather than focusing on the real enemy?

Controversy, Carlism and Juan Carlos

Over the years I have heard from many self-described monarchists who have nothing at all good to say about King Juan Carlos I of Spain, usually from the camp of the small but committed modern day Carlists, or perhaps I should say -one of the many camps. It has happened often enough to prompt me to state my perspective on the issue even though I try to stay out of dynastic disputes here on the blog for the sake of unity amongst the minority of monarchists still scattered about the globe. Longtime readers and followers from Yahoo! Will likely already know that, in the time and place that it mattered, my own sympathies are with the Carlists. In choosing that side I have the benefit of hindsight. How the Carlist pretenders might have ruled Spain we can only guess but history certainly shows that their opponents and their policies were not good for the long-term strength and stability of the King of Spain.

Aside from this, I also take the Carlist side because of the legality of their original case as well as my sympathy with their overall attitude of rejecting the modern mass political system and so-called “enlightenment” ideals in favor of old fashioned altar and throne monarchy. They put up a long and gallant resistance and in the story of Spanish history I consider them the “good guys”. However, that does not translate to any opposition on my part to the Spanish monarchy today or King Juan Carlos personally. One of the problems the Carlists had in recent times, probably due to such a long period as the underdog, is that they fractured and as they became an ever smaller and less significant minority many became even more fanatical in their opposition to any and everyone who did not coincide with their own exact position. Such as King Juan Carlos.

Exactly who the legitimate Carlist claimant is disputed today among a number of individuals (something problematic all on its own) and despite what many may think one of those who is considered legitimate heir to the Carlist mantle is King Juan Carlos himself. However, much of the movement known as Carlism today has more to do with religion, politics, social issues etc rather than royal bloodlines. I also consider the fact that monarchists should not throw away the preferable in pursuit of the ideal, which is where King Juan Carlos comes in.

I have certainly not agreed with every act that King Juan Carlos has put his name to. I like him personally, I would prefer it if he would take more of a principled stand on certain issues but then I could say the same for virtually every monarch in Europe. I also do not think, as some seem to, that Juan Carlos alone could stop the current trend of Spanish government and society. Were he to do so, the most likely outcome would be that the monarchy would be abolished and a leftist republic established. With the current situation there is at least the framework in place for an eventual recovery. As far as claims of legitimacy or illegitimacy (and I will say again that the current king is heir of one of the line of Carlist claimants) simply being the monarch in these difficult times counts for a great deal. I take the same attitude regarding King Juan Carlos in Spain as I do Queen Elizabeth II in Great Britain where you will still find some diehard Jacobites who insist that the Duke of Bavaria is the rightful king and they hold the reigning Queen in utter contempt. For me, in both cases, regardless of past merits, the only possibilities for Spain or Great Britain is their current monarchs or a republic and the last thing the world needs is yet another republic.

For all of these reasons, though I have the utmost respect for the Carlist tradition and though I certainly do not agree with every act King Juan Carlos has put his name to, I will recognize and support him as the King of Spain and encourage in any way I can his maintenance on the throne. If one disapproves of certain actions of the government my answer would be to give the King a more safe and powerful part in government rather than disregarding the King altogether as he has made no secret of his personal opposition to a number of bills he has felt obliged to sign. For myself, given the option of King Juan Carlos or another Spanish republic it is a very simple decision as to which side to take. Viva el Rey!

Borbon Royals Celebrate Spanish National Day

Viva el Rey! Arriba Espana!

King Juan Carlos Faces the Enemy

King Juan Carlos of Spain greets the leader of the communist-led leftist coalition that wishes to put him out of a job (notice the King wore a red tie for the occasion). The group, known as the "United Left" actually laid out for the King of Spain their hopes and plans for the eventual abolition of the Spanish monarchy and the creation of the 3rd Spanish Republic. I have every sympathy for the King of Spain in having to even speak to these people and it is to his credit that he is able to smile and bear it as a gentleman. Imagine the nerve of someone laying out to their monarch their own plans for his removal! Only communist criminals could look back at the history of republican Spain with all of the riots, chaos, massacres, oppression, atrocities, Soviet domination and civil wars and think that they should give it another try! I'm sure somewhere Generalissimo Franco was looking on and saying, "that's gratitude for you!"

40 Years a Prince

It was 40 years ago today that Don Juan Carlos de Borbon y Borbon was formally recognized by the Spanish state as a Prince of Spain. Before the Cortes and Generalissimo Francisco Franco he swore loyalty to the national movement and the chief of state. There were still some ruffled feathers amongst the Bourbon dynasty because of Juan Carlos being chosen instead of his father as heir to the throne, but it was a happy occasion. Stability had been ensured and the first steps taken toward the full restoration of the monarchy. Of course, King Juan Carlos did not remain loyal to the national movement (Falangism) but he has never criticized Franco and refuses to tolerate anyone speaking ill of him in his presence. Today many people think that scandalous but there is not a doubt in my mind that the better side won the Spanish Civil War and say what you will about Franco he did see to it that the monarchy was eventually restored, he kept the country together, gave a chance for some stability and growth and restored a proper respect for religion in national life. Spain was virtually a different country then compared to now. Hopefully the Spanish can work back to the good aspects and drop all the current secular nonsense.

Viva el Rey! Arriba Espana!

Sad Day in Spanish History

It was on this day, April 14, in 1931 that His Catholic Majesty King Alfonso XIII of Spain was deposed by the liberal dominated Cortes. He did not abdicate his throne. Because of the traumatic events that followed it is easy to forget the King himself and what a difficult reign he had. At the start of his reign, when he was still a child, Spain lost the last vestiges of her once mighty empire due to an aggressive war by the United States. Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines were lost. Spain also had increasing political turmoil that Alfonso had to deal with as he got older. During World War I he was an invaluable intercessor for countless prisoners of war and he was a great promoter of industry, sports and tourism in Spain. Few monarchs have had to deal with so many troubles throughout their entire lives as Alfonso XIII. Even the happy occasion of his marriage to Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenburg was marred by an assassination attempt.

King Alfonso, even after being deposed, maintained his claim to the throne throughout his life. In the absence of the monarchy Spain became a nightmare of increasingly radical liberal revolutionary outrages. More innocent people, traditionalists, conservatives, clergy and so on were massacred in the first few months than were killed in hundreds of years of the supposedly "infamous" Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish republic became a communist satellite state and from his exile King Alfonso endorsed the nationalist rebels in the Civil War. Because of the large presence of Carlists in his ranks (Viva los Carlistos!) Franco would not have Alfonso back as king, none the less, Alfonso sent his son, Prince Juan Conde de Barcelona, to fight on the rebel side. In the end, it was his descendant, King Juan Carlos, who became sovereign of Spain when the monarchy was restored at the death of Generalissimo Franco. It is sad that so many today seem to have forgotten the absolute horror that was the Spanish Republic and it all started 78 years ago today with the overthrow of King Alfonso XIII.

Viva Juan Carlos! Viva el Rey! y Arriba Espana!