King Felipe of Spain
a nice royal piece in the collection. But who is King Felipe of Spain?
Birth
Felipe was born at Our Lady of Loreto Hospital at Madrid on 30 January 1968,
as the third child and only son of Infante Juan Carlos and
Princess Sofía of Greece and Denmark.
as the third child and only son of Infante Juan Carlos and
Princess Sofía of Greece and Denmark.
He was baptised on 8 February 1968 at the Palace of Zarzuela by the
Archbishop of Madrid, Casimiro Morcillo, with water from the
Jordan River.
Archbishop of Madrid, Casimiro Morcillo, with water from the
Jordan River.
His full baptismal name is Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos,
it consists of the names of the first Bourbon king of Spain (Felipe V),
his grandfathers (Infante Juan of Spain and King Paul of Greece),
his great-grandfather King Alfonso XIII of Spain,
and de Todos los Santos ("of all the Saints") as is customary among
the Bourbons.
it consists of the names of the first Bourbon king of Spain (Felipe V),
his grandfathers (Infante Juan of Spain and King Paul of Greece),
his great-grandfather King Alfonso XIII of Spain,
and de Todos los Santos ("of all the Saints") as is customary among
the Bourbons.
His godparents were his paternal grandfather Juan and his paternal
great-grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain.
great-grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain.
Additionally, he is the third cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II,
King Harald V, Queen Margrethe II, and King Carl XVI Gustav.
King Harald V, Queen Margrethe II, and King Carl XVI Gustav.
Source picture: Wikipedia
Titles
In 1977, Felipe was formally proclaimed Prince of Asturias.
In May, nine-year-old Felipe was made an honorary soldier of the
1st King's Inmemorial Infantry Regiment.The occasion was marked on 28 May
and was attended by the king, the prime minister and several other
ministers in a ceremony at the infantry's barracks.
In May, nine-year-old Felipe was made an honorary soldier of the
1st King's Inmemorial Infantry Regiment.The occasion was marked on 28 May
and was attended by the king, the prime minister and several other
ministers in a ceremony at the infantry's barracks.
On 1 November the same year, he was ceremoniously paid homage
as Prince of Asturias in Covadonga.
as Prince of Asturias in Covadonga.
In 1981 Felipe received the Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece
from his father, the Chief and Sovereign of the Order.
from his father, the Chief and Sovereign of the Order.
On his 18th birthday on 30 January 1986, Felipe swore allegiance to
the Constitution and to the King in the Spanish Parliament as required
by the constitution, fully accepting his role as successor to the Crown.
the Constitution and to the King in the Spanish Parliament as required
by the constitution, fully accepting his role as successor to the Crown.
Education
Felipe attended school at Santa María de los Rosales,which his daughters also
attended. Felipe attended high school at Lakefield College School in Ontario,
Canada, and studied at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he
graduated with a degree in law; he also completed several courses
in economics.
attended. Felipe attended high school at Lakefield College School in Ontario,
Canada, and studied at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he
graduated with a degree in law; he also completed several courses
in economics.
He completed his academic studies by obtaining a Master of Science
in Foreign Service degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., where he was the roommate of his cousin,
Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece.
in Foreign Service degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., where he was the roommate of his cousin,
Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece.
Military training
As the heir to the throne, a carefully regulated and structured plan was
laid out for Felipe's military training. In August 1985, a Royal Decree named
Felipe as officer at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza.
laid out for Felipe's military training. In August 1985, a Royal Decree named
Felipe as officer at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza.
He began his military training there in September. He completed the first
phase of his formation in October. In July 1986, he was promoted to
Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. He was also named as Midshipman.
phase of his formation in October. In July 1986, he was promoted to
Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. He was also named as Midshipman.
In September 1986, he began his naval training at the Escuela Naval Militar
in Marin (Pontevedra), joining the Third Brigade.
in Marin (Pontevedra), joining the Third Brigade.
In January 1987, he continued his naval training on board the training ship
Juan Sebastián Elcano.
Juan Sebastián Elcano.
Further promotions in 2000 were commandant in the Army, corvette
captain in the Navy, and commandant in the Air Force.
captain in the Navy, and commandant in the Air Force.
Promotions in 2009 were lieutenant colonel in the Army, frigate captain
in the Navy, and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.
in the Navy, and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.
Since 19 June 2014, after his ascension to the throne, he acquired
the rank of Capitán General (Commander-in-chief) of all the Spanish
armies (Land, Navy and Air Force).
the rank of Capitán General (Commander-in-chief) of all the Spanish
armies (Land, Navy and Air Force).
Olympic Games
Felipe was a member of the Spanish Olympic sailing team at the 1992
Summer Olympics held in Barcelona. Felipe took part in the opening ceremony
as the Spanish team's flag bearer. The Spanish crew finished in sixth place
in the Soling class and obtained an Olympic diploma.
Summer Olympics held in Barcelona. Felipe took part in the opening ceremony
as the Spanish team's flag bearer. The Spanish crew finished in sixth place
in the Soling class and obtained an Olympic diploma.
He is an honorary member of the International Soling Association.
Both his mother and uncle, King Konstantínos II of the Hellenes, were on the
Greek sailing team at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome (his mother as a
substitute), and Felipe's father and sister were also Olympic sailors for Spain.
Both his mother and uncle, King Konstantínos II of the Hellenes, were on the
Greek sailing team at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome (his mother as a
substitute), and Felipe's father and sister were also Olympic sailors for Spain.
Felipe has been a supporter of Atlético Madrid since watching them
win the 1976 Copa del Generalísimo Final.
win the 1976 Copa del Generalísimo Final.
He is also the club's honorary president since 2003.
Later, as king, Felipe also attended the Spanish national rugby union
team's final home rugby union match in the 2018 Rugby Europe.
Championship.
team's final home rugby union match in the 2018 Rugby Europe.
Championship.
Love and marriage
Felipe's bachelor years were a source of interest to the Spanish press
for several years. His name was linked with several eligible women, but
only two notable girlfriends: Spanish noblewoman Isabel Sartorius,
around 1989 to 1991, daughter of the Marquess of Mariño, who was
viewed unfavourably by the Royal Family due to her mother's
cocaine addiction.
for several years. His name was linked with several eligible women, but
only two notable girlfriends: Spanish noblewoman Isabel Sartorius,
around 1989 to 1991, daughter of the Marquess of Mariño, who was
viewed unfavourably by the Royal Family due to her mother's
cocaine addiction.
He also had a relation with Norwegian model Eva Sannum, who
modelled underwear.
modelled underwear.
When Felipe finally began a serious relationship, nothing was suspected
before the official announcement of the Prince's engagement
on 1 November 2003 to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, a television journalist
who had been married previously.
before the official announcement of the Prince's engagement
on 1 November 2003 to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, a television journalist
who had been married previously.
The couple were married on a rainy morning of 22 May 2004 in the
Almudena Cathedral, Madrid, with representatives of royal families
from all over the world and most heads of state from
Latin America present.
Almudena Cathedral, Madrid, with representatives of royal families
from all over the world and most heads of state from
Latin America present.
Felipe and Letizia have two daughters:
Leonor, Princess of Asturias (born 31 October 2005) and
Infanta Sofía (born 29 April 2007).
Infanta Sofía (born 29 April 2007).
Both were born at Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.
Own picture of the Royal Palace of Madrid (taken in 2022)
More about the Palace on this link
Rule
On 2 June 2014, King Juan Carlos announced his intent to abdicate in
Felipe's favor. As required by the Constitution of Spain, the Spanish Cabinet
began deliberations the following day on an organic law to give effect
to the abdication.
Felipe's favor. As required by the Constitution of Spain, the Spanish Cabinet
began deliberations the following day on an organic law to give effect
to the abdication.
Felipe ascended the throne at the stroke of midnight on 19 June;
his father had given his sanction to the organic law effecting his
abdication just hours earlier.
his father had given his sanction to the organic law effecting his
abdication just hours earlier.
The next morning, after receiving the Captain General's sash from his
father, he was formally sworn in and proclaimed king in a low-key
ceremony held in the Cortes. He swore to uphold the Constitution before
formally being proclaimed king by Posada.
father, he was formally sworn in and proclaimed king in a low-key
ceremony held in the Cortes. He swore to uphold the Constitution before
formally being proclaimed king by Posada.
Upon his accession, he became the youngest monarch in Europe,
being nine months younger than King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
being nine months younger than King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
State visit to the United Kingdom
From July 12 to 14, 2017, the King and Queen of Spain made a state
visit to the United Kingdom, which had been postponed twice:
the first in March 2016, due to the political crisis in Spain and the
second in May 2017, due to the advancement of the British elections .
visit to the United Kingdom, which had been postponed twice:
the first in March 2016, due to the political crisis in Spain and the
second in May 2017, due to the advancement of the British elections .
Troubles
On 15 March 2020, following the revelation in The Telegraph that
Felipe VI appeared as second beneficiary (after his father) of the
Lucus Foundation, the entity on the receiving end of a €65 million
donation by Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia,
Felipe VI appeared as second beneficiary (after his father) of the
Lucus Foundation, the entity on the receiving end of a €65 million
donation by Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia,
the Royal Household issued a statement declaring (a) that Felipe VI
would renounce any inheritance from his father to which he could be
entitled, and (b) that Juan Carlos would lose his public stipend from
the part of the State's General Budget dedicated to the Royal Household.
would renounce any inheritance from his father to which he could be
entitled, and (b) that Juan Carlos would lose his public stipend from
the part of the State's General Budget dedicated to the Royal Household.
On 25 April 2022, in a move towards greater transparency, Felipe VI
made public his personal assets for the first time, revealing them to be
valued at 2.6 million euros ($2.8 million). The Spanish royal palace
stated that his wealth is in savings, current accounts and securities,
as well as art, antiques and jewellery; and that he has no real estate
or financial dealings abroad.
made public his personal assets for the first time, revealing them to be
valued at 2.6 million euros ($2.8 million). The Spanish royal palace
stated that his wealth is in savings, current accounts and securities,
as well as art, antiques and jewellery; and that he has no real estate
or financial dealings abroad.
It also noted that Felipe VI had paid tax on all his financial earnings.
This amount makes him one of the "poorest" monarchs in the world.
This amount makes him one of the "poorest" monarchs in the world.
In the Town Hall of Alicante
During a visit of the Town Hall of Alicante I saw this portrait of
King Felipe II.
King Felipe II.
On the portrait King Felipe of Spain wears a grey suit with a Burgundy tie.
The Coat of Arms of the King of Spain:
Source picture: Wikipedia
Source picture: Wikipedia
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