The ideal tool or excuse to stage the cordiality between the different members of the head of state's family has something of perversity: the first-born daughter of don Juan Carlos y Mrs. Sofia, who has lost almost all of her institutional stripes after being formally removed as a member of the Royal Family, was turning 60.
And such a round anniversary was used by Zarzuela to structure, precisely with Infanta Elena as the protagonist, the play that preceded the Christmas celebrations in which, beyond the props propaganda, brothers-in-law, daughters, sons, grandchildren, cousins and other relatives have divided themselves to dine in different groups and places.
The eldest daughter of the Emeritus, the one who would be reigning if her little brother were not a man or if the law that relegated her (in force) was not absolutely sexist, was celebrating six decades and, with that perch, the almost entire family of Felipe VI (which is not the Family Real) met and, as if by magic, the press appeared so that we all knew that they were perfectly capable of sharing a table and tablecloth without paying like two bad-in-laws.
The place chosen was the Pabú restaurant, near one of the Treasury headquarters in Madrid, the favorite ministry of Don Juan Carlos, who paid the bill. The Kings Felipe and Letizia, the parents of the Monarch, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, the Infanta Cristina and the uncles and cousins Gómez-Acebo and the Zuritas, as well as the grandchildren of Juan Carlos I, met there, with the exception of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
So much for the good gestures, like that of Infanta Elena and her father saying goodbye at the doors of the restaurant, which included kisses, a bow, the sign of the cross on the forehead and a sleight of hand that ended with slaps on the shoulder as if they were two rappers from the Bronx. But later King Juan Carlos returned to Abu Dhabi. It was said in some media that the previous head of state intended to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas in Geneva with Infanta Cristina, and perhaps Elena and their children, to enjoy a family gathering again.
But it's a lie. Infanta Cristina did not travel to the Swiss city where she resides; she did not sit at the table on such important dates with her four children, Juan, Pablo, Miguel and Irene.
It is false, contrary to what was said in the Sonsoles program from Antena 3 that Geneva brought together the King Emeritus with his daughters on Christmas Eve. In the same space it was said that Queen Sofía was staying in Madrid to share a table with her son and her daughter-in-law and her granddaughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía. Fake. In fact, we met Queen Sofía in Madrid having lunch with Infanta Cristina and Aunt Pecu in a restaurant in El Pardo. The Emerita had no problem greeting us and confessing that she had eaten “phenomenally.”
The truth is that, after the photo at the door of the restaurant, with the press summoned, on Christmas Eve and Christmas, the Bourbons have divided themselves into at least three different places and as many groups.
Doña Sofía and her daughters had dinner on Christmas Eve a few meters from Felipe VI and Doña Letizia but they did not share a tablecloth
Froilán and King Juan Carlos were in Abu Dhabi; in Zarzuela, in the main building, where Queen Sofía lives, the two princesses and the grandchildren Urdangarin and Marichalar celebrated Christmas Eve there. And Aunt Pecu, Irene from Grecia, sister of Doña Sofía.
Kings Felipe and Letizia did not join that group despite being a few meters away. Yes, there was a member of the Rocasolano family: Paloma, the Queen's mother, and her boyfriend. And we don't know if Telma and the father of her little daughter, Gavin Bonnar, ex-husband of the violinist from The Corrs, were there.
As we anticipated, Juan Carlos I will celebrate his 86th birthday on January 5 in Abu Dhabi and with a party that has been organized for him. Meanwhile, in Madrid, the Military Easter will take place, an event presided over by his son, Felipe VI. Important businessmen are expected to travel to congratulate the Emeritus.