This year has sprung plenty of surprises
but as 2020 comes to an end, we’ve been treated to perhaps the
least unexpected royal revelation of them all. As the countdown
begins for the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday in June 2021,
it’s been reported that Prince Philip has absolutely no desire to
be at the heart of a big royal celebration to mark the event.
Philip turns 100 in just over…
The shadow that threatened obscurity: Spain's Royal Year in Review
28th December 2020
In the end, it was the invisible man who
attracted all the attention. The royal year in Spain has been
dominated by King Juan Carlos. From ongoing scandals to a dramatic
flight into exile, his every move has been the focal point for
millions. As 2020 comes to an end, the…
In ordinary times, the past year might
well have seen a focus on the Duke of Kent celebrating his 85th
birthday and questions asked about how much longer this devoted
cousin of the Queen would continue to serve the Royal Family.
Instead, this most extraordinary time has seen…
King Felipe’s Christmas Eve address, in
which he spoke of the importance of principles and ethics, has
become the most watched royal festive speech in Spanish history.
The broadcast, which was shown across a number of channels in Spain
at 9pm, broke the record for number of viewers set in 1993 when
Felipe’s father, King Juan Carlos, addressed Spain. This year’s
speech was watched by a…
It's behind you! The extra messages in the royal Christmas speeches
26th December 2020
While all the focus is on the words
during the royal Christmas speeches, once the addresses have been
given, attention turns to the furniture. There is always an
interest in how the royals dress the rooms in which they give their
most anticipated speeches of the year. And…
King Felipe places focus on unity and integrity in much anticipated Christmas speech
24th December 2020
King Felipe VI has highlighted the
importance of principles and ethical obligations in his Christmas
speech in a thinly veiled reference to the scandal surrounding his
father, King Juan Carlos. The comments came towards the end of a
highly anticipated festive address…
In an ordinary Christmas season, there
are two questions that would keep cropping up in the countdown to
the big day. What colour will the Queen choose for her Christmas
Day speech and what shade will she select for her visit to church
for the festive service that brings together her whole family at
Sandringham. We can still speculate on the speech (and we will,
don’t worry) but the coat and hat…
Prince Joachim back in Denmark for Christmas after difficult year
24th December 2020
Prince Joachim of Denmark is home for
Christmas after a year which saw him undergo an emergency brain
operation. The younger son of Margrethe II was joined by his family
as they chose a Christmas tree at their home of Schackenborg
Castle. Joachim, who is sixth in…
She usually brings the biggest hat and a
big dose of brightness with her when she joins the Royals for the
Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham
and over the years, the Duchess of Cornwall has shown a tendency
for jewel rich shades for her outfit…
Political pressure grows for King Felipe VI to criticise his father in his Christmas Eve speech
23rd December 2020
A spokesperson for the minority partner
in Spain’s coalition government has told King Felipe that he must
condemn the financial irregularities of his father, Juan Carlos, in
his Christmas Eve speech as a ‘bare minimum’. A representative of
the left wing Unidas Podemos, which governs alongside the more
moderate socialist PSOE, has said that unless the issue is
addressed, the monarchy will…
