There are five days left until the Princess of Asturias experiences one of her most important days as heir to the Crown: the swearing-in of the Constitution. It will be next Tuesday, coinciding with her 18th birthday, and both Casa Real and the city of Madrid have organized a high-profile event to celebrate. However, the day will be marked by a notable ‘last minute’ absence: that of her grandmother Sofia.
According to Semana magazine, Casa Real has “forbid” the mother of King Felipe VI from going to Congress to attend her granddaughter’s swearing-in of the Constitution. She will also not see how her son gives her the Collar of the Order of Charles III in the Royal Palace. Although Doña Sofía usually attends other events with her granddaughters (such as the Princess of Asturias awards ceremony), on this occasion her presence would highlight the absence of the emeritus, who has been away from official events since he went into self-exile in Abu Dhabi some time ago. three years, and the Royal House wants all the attention focused on the king and his heir, the future of the Crown.
The decision has broken the heart of Doña Sofía, who will attend, like her husband, the after party held in El Pardo. At the moment, they are the only confirmed Bourbons, because the rest is still up in the air: according to Confidential Monarchy, Infantas Elena and Cristina have not yet made the decision and will do so jointly. That is, either they both go or neither goes. With the cousins it is another story: Froilán’s decision remains a mystery (some media claim that he will travel with his grandfather, others that he has excused himself “for work reasons”), while his sister has declined the invitation due to a trip that had been closed for some time. time (to Peru, with Roca Rey). As for the Urdangarin brothers, we only know of the presence in Madrid of the little girl, Irene, who arrived in the capital last Wednesday from Geneva and is staying in Zarzuela with her grandmother.