Royalty in the News

Spain’s King and Queen took part in the national offering to St. James during the saint’s holy day on Sunday. King Juan Carlos used the time to plea for national unity in an increasingly fractured country.

Terra Noticias

“These are difficult and complex times,” he said, who asked for “dialogue, consensus and tolerance and mutual respect” in a both politically and nationally divided Spain. Juan Carlos called his country a “big family together, while diverse and plural, of which we are proud.”

Spain’s ethnic groups – such as the Basques and those in Catalunya – are becoming more vocal in their desire to secede from Spain and have their own countries.

The King also prayed for economic healing in a country with 20 percent unemployment. He even praised the Constitution and its usefulness.

This was King Juan Carlos’ second time he left Madrid since his lung operation in May. He was accompanied by Queen Sofia, who wore a traditional Spanish headdress.

2010 is a holy year for the Roman Catholic Church.

In May, the Prince and Princess of Asturias went on a pilgrimage to Compostela, located in northwestern Spain. They performed the millenia old journey from one cathedral to the Cathedral of St. James.

Sources: GPD, LaVanguardia,