Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 27, 2024 21:30:12 GMT -4
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2014 0:05:55 GMT -4
I really want to see a coronation with ermine capes, bejeweled scepters, oversized crowns and peasants weeping and lying prostrate before their God-like leader. None of this "wear a business suit and take a photo" shit. No wonder monarchy isn't popular anymore. Well, let's just hope what happened at his grandparents' wedding doesn't repeat at the coronation. (And what happened at the World Cup?) |
|
|
|
Post by chonies on Jun 21, 2014 6:59:30 GMT -4
World Cup: Spain are defending champions and got badly flogged twice so they are not advancing to the next round. The word "humiliating" has been widely used, and not just because they lost, but they have allowed an absurdly high number of goals and have basically been competing as well as the nations who are lucky to even get to the WC. Join us in the WC thread!  I really like Letizia, although I don't know too much about her, and I love her expressive, evil queen face. |
|
|
|
Post by Martini Girl on Jun 22, 2014 1:49:53 GMT -4
I like Letizia, but I've never seen her glow/be so excited as the moment she became Queen!
|
|
technicolor
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 337
Nov 22, 2010 9:41:42 GMT -4
|
Post by technicolor on Jun 22, 2014 8:08:29 GMT -4
Honestly? Both Felipe and Letizia looked like they had finally been let out of straitjackets to me. It's been rumoured for years that Letizia has had a very hard time at court, that she's not accepted by various members of the royal family and so on. And frankly, she has looked miserable and subdued sometimes. So if she's finally able to set more of an agenda for herself, good for her. She doesn't seem much into jewelry or fashion, in her former job as a journalist she probably would be making more money than as a Spanish royal, so that princess business (as opposed to her private life with husband and kids) perhaps wasn't much compensation for giving up her career.
I thought it was interesting how Felipe stressed tolerance, the fight against discrimination, "securing the role of women in society" in his speech. Not that any of that is controversial or anything, but still. Also no mention of religion. Then they will be meeting with LGBT representatives in the next week. Apparently a first for the Spanish monarchy. If they disagreed with some of the more conservative notions Juan Carlos and Sophia represented as king and queen, then that was probably also not easy. They weren't setting the larger agenda and had to tow the line to a certain degree.
|
|
|
|
Post by Augustus on Jun 22, 2014 16:24:30 GMT -4
To be fair, Letizia did have an interesting working life as a journalist prior to becoming a member of the Spanish royalty. Unless she can find a way to do something that befits her role, it can be a very very dull life, and I wouldn't be surprised if the upper royals weren't exactly in favour of her doing such. She's no Waitey Kate in that regard.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martini Girl on Jun 22, 2014 19:37:32 GMT -4
I really wish Felipe and Letizia the best. I hope they're able to make a difference and move the monarchy into the 21st century.
|
|
|
|
Post by Auroranorth on Jun 23, 2014 15:08:36 GMT -4
I wish them luck, because they're really, really going to need it.
|
|
technicolor
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 337
Nov 22, 2010 9:41:42 GMT -4
|
Post by technicolor on Jun 23, 2014 15:52:14 GMT -4
They're really going to have to work hard to keep that ship together. And I do think the Spanish monarchy in a way lucked out that they have two people at the helm now who seem competent and disciplined enough to have a shot at making it work at least. I'm not sure the personnel at some of the other European houses would be up for it at all...
Though calling it "luck" may be wrong, Juan Carlos for all his flaws seemed to know that the situation in Spain is more precarious than elsewhere and that Felipe would need a substantial education and loads of training on the job and for the most part provided it. Apart from the usual "playboy prince" nonsense in his youth, Felipe seems disciplined, serious and has been working really hard for "the firm" for years. He also usually seems prepared, knowledgeable and respectful wherever he shows up, so that's nice. I mean, that should be a no-brainer, sadly sometimes with royals it isn't...
Letizia is an excellent choice for wife and queen in this situation. Who cares if she isn't all that popular, clearly she'll be putting the work in as well and that's important. She's smart and capable and probably felt stifled by the situation at court until now. I'm sorry for the two little girls, I'm sure they already understand to some degree what will be expected of them, particularly the crown princess. Their parents will try to shield them to the best of their ability, I'm sure, but the pressure and scrutiny will be there all the same.
|
|
|
|
Post by chonies on Jun 23, 2014 17:09:38 GMT -4
I also have the idea that Felipe and Letizia are astute enough to know when the ship is sinking and to make a graceful exit, if necessary.
|
|
|
|
Post by Augustus on Jun 23, 2014 18:27:15 GMT -4
Considering there had been quite a few rallies against the monarchy when Juan Carlos announced he'd abdicate, and on the day of the coronation, yeah, Felipe is very aware that he and Letizia need tread carefully. When nearly 50% of young adults in Spain are currently out of work, and an overall 25% unemployment, any sign of ostentatious living will be met with much anger and contempt. Not to mention a great likelihood to renounce the Spanish monarchy all together.
|
|
