The Spanish royal family

As a British expat living in Barcelona, I find the Spanish royal family fascinating, particularly when compared to our own royals back home. After five years in Spain, I've come to appreciate how the Spanish monarchy manages to feel both traditional and surprisingly modern at the same time.

A Relatable Royal Family

They're one of the most well-balanced royal families of recent times. The fact that King Felipe VI met his wife over dinner via a journalist friend ensures their popularity with the Spanish public hasn't waned. It helps that he even rides a motorbike, an image that's hard to imagine with certain other European monarchs.

Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y de Grecia was born on 30 January 1968. He ascended to the throne in 2014 upon the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I. The king and his wife, Queen Letizia, have two daughters: Leonor, Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofía of Spain.

Queen Letizia: From Journalist to Royal

What makes the Spanish royal family particularly interesting is Queen Letizia's background. Before becoming royalty, she was a successful television journalist. This makes her relatable to ordinary Spaniards in a way that many royal consorts simply aren't. She brings a modern, professional sensibility to the role while maintaining the dignity expected of her position.

The queen is known for her style, often choosing Spanish designers and recycling outfits, which resonates well with the public. She's also been outspoken about causes like rare diseases and education, lending her platform to issues that matter.

The Future Queen: Princess Leonor

The family's two daughters were born fewer than two years apart. The eldest, Leonor, is set to be the youngest heir to the throne in Europe. Spain hasn't had a reigning queen since Isabella II in 1868, so this will be another twist that ensures the Spanish royal family's continued affection with the public.

Princess Leonor has already begun taking on public duties, giving speeches and representing Spain at official events. She's currently studying abroad, preparing for her future role in a way that feels both traditional and thoroughly modern.

The Zarzuela Palace and Royal Lifestyle

Like many royal families facing public scrutiny, the Spanish royals have consciously moderated their spending habits. They need approval from the Spanish parliament on their budget and have worked to project an image of fiscal responsibility, especially important given Spain's economic challenges in recent years.

They continue to live in the Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid. Sitting on the Monte de El Pardo hill, the palace has been the official residence of Spanish monarchs since 1975. King Felipe reportedly forbade members of the royal family from accepting extravagant gifts, stating it would "compromise the dignity of the institution."

Royal Titles and Traditions

In the Spanish royal family, almost all women historically held the title Her Royal Highness the Infanta, a designation that traces back to the 1200s. Infanta Sofía, second in line to the throne, was named after her paternal grandmother, Queen Sofía.

The House of Borbón-Anjou is a modern monarchy but is originally a European royal house of French origin. Bourbon, the anglicized name for Borbón, kings first ruled France in the 16th century but had established thrones in Spain by the 18th century. This French connection sometimes surprises people, given how distinctly Spanish the monarchy feels today.

The Role of the Monarchy in Modern Spain

For expats living in Spain, understanding the monarchy helps explain certain aspects of Spanish culture and politics. The king plays a ceremonial role but carries significant symbolic weight, particularly given the monarchy's role in Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's dictatorship.

National holidays like Día de la Hispanidad on October 12th feature royal participation, and the king's Christmas address is a major annual event. You'll see the royal family in magazines and newspapers regularly, though with generally more respectful coverage than British tabloids give their royals.

Whether you're a royalist or a republican, the Spanish monarchy is woven into the fabric of contemporary Spanish life, and understanding it enriches your experience as an expat in this wonderful country.