Home - Culture and Society - Current AffairsA Royal Celebration for the King of SpainKing Juan Carlos of Spain saved Spain's democracy in the 1980's, but there are now moves to rid the country of the Monarchy. He recently celebrated his 70th birthday with a question mark hanging over the Spanish Royal Family... King Juan Carlos of Spain celebrated a milestone birthday earlier this year when the King turned 70 years old on January 5. Related Writings: The Credit Crisis Is Fuelled By Fuel Prices - Much of the financial crisis in the world is caused by a lack of confidence between banks and financial institutions and their clients which are symptoms of the credit crunch not the root cause. Changing the supply and demand for oil which is the root cause would restore confidence and avoid financial turmoil.... The actual date of this landmark occasion was commemorated with an intimate family gathering at home. The following week however, Juan Carlos celebrated as only a royal can, with a birthday bash at Pardo Palace. Surrounded by no fewer than 450 of his friends, family, and many dignitaries, the King offered a toast to "all that we have achieved together." Along with other well-wishers, King Juan Carlos's son Prince Felipe offered up a toast in honor of his father's notable achievements that spanned his 70 years. Related Writings: An Attack on the Pocket Knife and Our Rights is Underway - The age of political correctness is upon us. Who defines what is correct and what is not? Your simple right to carry a pocket knife is constantly attacked and questioned. Why is this such a hot topic and why are folks worried about a pocket knife? Does every issue where a difference of opinion is demonstrated... A royal public address would have been customary on such a momentous occasion, but the King was silent. Observers speculate that hints of controversy surrounding his influence, as well as criticism of the monarchy in general, caused the royal family to remain tight-lipped. Supporters were quick to point out, however, that the King has not gone into self-appointed exile. In fact, he has made numerous public appearances in the last several months. The King even visited Spanish peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan on New Year's Eve of last year, a morale-boosting surprise. Related Writings: Choosing A Private Hospital, Not Just For The Super Rich - A look at the growth of private medical care for all sectors of society. Still, the Spanish monarchy has come under criticism in recent years after decades of unmitigated support. King Juan Carlos enjoyed unwavering support from Spaniards after he thwarted an attempted coup in 1981. Just a few years into his reign at the time, the relatively young king was highly regarded for his commitment to democratic reform. His legacy of democracy remains even today, although it is tainted by some scandalous events. Questions about the spending habits of the Spanish royal family prompted an audit in 2007. The royal family spun it as little more than a routine financial inquiry. Royal watchers, however, saw it as an attempt to regain public favor. Also fraught with controversy was the recent separation of the king's daughter from her husband of 12 years. Though commonplace in the lives of ordinary citizens, this event may have left something of a black mark on the Spanish royal family. Related Writings: Is Gun Control Legislation Based on a Fear of Guns? - Before we accept the arguments for gun control we should examine their motivation. Despite vocal criticism from left wing groups (including the public burning of the King's photo), supporters for the royal family still number in the hundreds of thousands. Royal watchers continue to follow the movements of King Juan Carlos with admiration. The king was photographed extensively last summer on his annual holiday in Mallorca. An avid sailor, Juan Carlos and his son Prince Felipe took part in the Breitling Sailing Cup. The event, which draws thousands of boat fans annually, seemed a fitting place for the royal father and son to mingle with crowds of like-minded fans. Related Writings: What Can I Do About Terrorism? - The first thing a person should do about terrorism is to learn to respect it. Terrorism is real and it is very dangerous. When I say respect terrorism, I don't mean that you have to educate yourself on every faction and extremist organization that exists today. What I'm saying is that you must learn to respect... Queen Sofia was also spotted out and about in Mallorca. She spent some time with her grandchildren and with Princess Alia of Jordan. Photos show a happy and carefree royal family at a ballet performance and benefit for the Queen Sofia Foundation in August, even as announcements about a royal audit were being discussed publicly. The coming months will dictate the fate of the Spanish royal family. No doubt they will be spotted again this summer on holiday in Mallorca. They will likely continue to try to present themselves in a flattering light to help allay future criticisms. Whether or not King Juan Carlos's days are numbered is not clear. Related Writings: Do You Ever Feel Like God Doesn't Care - The newly finished roof, leaks, the dog is sick, and I have a chronic back pain that makes it hard to sit in one place for very long. My business is completely dead and the bills are mounting on a pile on top of my desk. God don't you care about me? I don't understand why some people can have everything they... In the meantime, staunch supporters of the royal family will continue to bolster his public image. About the author: For holiday information about Majorca, often known as Mallorca, including Mallorca hotels visit YourMajorca.net Among the details at the Majorca travel site are vacation companies who offer a Majorca holiday and a five day Majorca weather forecast with today's weather in Majorca Home - Culture and Society - Current Affairs |