In Spain young people can hardly "dream" in buying a house while these people are spending our taxes in mansions, parties and yats. In a Republican system I have at least the chance of choose these kind of "parasites". really, hope that other system comes soon in spain

javi, Cordoba, Andalusia

Regardless of who is in power, it costs a lot to run a government (security, diplomacy, housekeeping) and you will pay. Those who don't appreciate the current Spanish monarchy obviously do not remember life under Franco. The Spanish people, and indeed the world, owes King Juan Carlos a huge debt of gratitude. Juan Carlos has a true servant's heart and is the most self-less ruler living: he has sacrificed his life and his personal preferences for Spain. Prince Felipe is from the same tree as Juan Carlos. He may not be perfect; he may turn out to be human. It is a mistake to obsess on deviations from perfection. It is human nature to forget history and to focus on the 5% of faults, forget the 95% of blessings, and trade it all in for someone who is ten times worse. Count your blessings: you could have George Bush for whom it is not enough to spend billions of dollars--he must kill his people as well.

Suzette Hollingsworth, Wenatchee, Washington, USA

Not only regarding Monarchy as an obsolete institution, but also considering the bad use of these privieges made by Juan carlos and his vast family, i would not say he is losing popularity: I do believe it is just that people end up knowing who they are. They have been "hidden", untouchable and protected by the media, but people are not nerds.
A true democracy should have the chance of choosing the national system of government, over controversial kings set by a dictator's finger.

Toni, Madrid,

The Spanish Real House receives 8.29 million € 2007.Sorry to inform to him into which the French Republic hill to the year NINE TIMES more. “Luxurious” the yacht of the King, “Fortune” is a gift of the industralists of tourism of Majorca to spend its vacations there and the economic benefit that it generates to them. The previous yacht of the King was a gift of an Arab sheik. Both yachts as they are gifts to the head of the state do not belong to the King but that to National Patrimony, in the same way that the palaces, etc…
Queen Elisabeth II, 54 million € in the last year

Marcos Paz, La Coruña, España, Galicia

In Spain there are of everything those who not estan deacuerdos with the parliamentary monarchy (for the most part separatist), and that we admire the valor of the king opposite to several opponents to the democracy of which today we prune ourselves to feel proud, since we are an example and a breath for all the nations that live in poverty.

Gabriel, Málaga, España

I DO NOT NEED a monarchy at all. Why should I be paying for something I do not need or want?

What's worse, we don't even know how that money, our money, is spent. And who decides how much money they get?

I wish some political party had the courage to propose a referendum and see how many citizens want a monarchy and everything that it involves.

Nerea, Bilbao, Spain

our kings are the best public relations all over the world we can imagine. who knows mr. zapatero outside spain? and principe felipe has one of the best adress-book in the world, and not only about other royal family members... dont pay attention separatists. they represent less than 3%. but our democracy protect them too.

jaime de la vega caballero, madrid, spain

Congratulations for this article. In Spain, there are no newspapers so brave to write things like that. The king has lots of friends on TV, newspapers and radios, so nobody says nothing against him. i would like to add to the article, that when Sofia (2nd daughter of Felipe) was born, the king was 3 days dissapeared, and nobody could see the girl until he was there, because of the protocol. Thank the times very very much-.

Chicot, Santander, Spain

The Spanish dictator Franco named Juan Carlos as his successor... Then the Spanish had to choose between more military dictatorship or a sort of monarchy under the control of the army. Was this democracy?
And till now, where the king is used to try to impose a centralist state and avoiding to recognise the existence of the Catalan and Basque nations. But we are here, despite the several Spanish dictatorships (Franco, Primo de Rivera, etc.).
Finally: it is not necessary to be Catalan or Basque to be a republican. You only have to be a democrat.

Hug Roger, València d'Aneu, Catalonia

...just to think about having a Republic with Jose Maria Aznar being the elected president makes me trembling!!!!

Asier, Donostia,

I do not know where has Albert (Ciudad Real) found his information. Spain, as many other countries, may not be the ideal democracy, but is rather farther from the hell described by Albert.
And our king has shown after 30 years how to manage carefully some very, very complicated bussiness. I cannot imagine what will happen on 23rd February without him.
Regards

Carlos Valdecantos, Soria,

There isn't even a debate about this issue in Spain, no matter how hard you try or how loud you shout, Spanish people are happy with our King and with the Crown.

Daniel Martín, Barcelona, Spain

"Your press in the UK doesn't even respect the British R. F!!

In Portugal we also admire King Juan Carlos and his family. And the spanish press is respectfull to them , not like yours."

I believe it one thing to be respected by the press, completely another when the respect is forced by law. That actually rings quite a bit like something - dare I say it? - happened during the reign of Juan Carlos' predecessor.

Lisa, Oxford,

It is incredible that the author of this article hates so much Spain:
-The history of the terrorist of ETA, Iñaki de Juana Chaos (The Times you remember to Bobby Sands (IRA soldier) and as you acted)
-To attack and to defame his majesty the King........
And these will continue until Mr. Thomas Tastes obtains their ascent and return to London.

Marcos Paz, La Coruña, España, Galicia

The King of Spain , has turned Spain into a modern democracy, despite many's intents to undermine his reputation within spaniards. Skillfully he has managed to construct a leading country from the ruins an ancient tirant. Mr Catan surprisingly forgets to mention the referendum Spain held in 1978 to decide upon our monarchy. There is no need to say the vast majority of the population agreed.
From the article above readers will get the false impression that spanish political class is against the institution, as only 2 politicians, from irrelevant and sectarist small political parties, are quoted. Actually the official spanish enquiring office, has shown several polls which reflect the admiration and respect spaniards show not only towards our monarch, but towards the institution leads. Anyone who has visited Madrid will have realised how it is possible for the general public to visit our abundant and ( by the way) gorgeous royal palaces. It is possible to do so in England/Europe?

pedro hernandez, madrid, spain

Urgently, Spain needs a Republic. The Republic is good, the Monarchy, no.

Martin , Zaragoza, Spain

monarchy replaced general franco dictatorship as a smooth way to keep on with the same military , that together with the landowners and helped by the opus dei ministers govern spain as they please regardless of official government... the 'coup d' etat' was just the best scenario they choose to convince the masses that the king is good and democratic what a farse
regards to all readers

jose, cadiz, spain

I think the memories of the Second Republic are too close in time for Spaniards to want to tread that path again. For all the negative aspects of his regime, Franco brought Spain a stability she had not known for centuries, and with his death, democracy continued this peace for another 30 years. Despite a premier hell-bent on poking about in wargraves instead of dealing with Spain's current problems, few people would like to return to the heady days of revolutionary Republican Spain.

Tomás Meabe Gutiérrez, Madrid, Spain

I would like to support the brief socio-political analysis expressed below by Albert Waxman from Chicago. He seems to have quite a good overview on the feelings of the half conservative portion of the Spanish population. Congratulations for an unprejudiced view on the subjec.

Juan L. Cuñat , Valencia, Spain

If Juan Carlos de Borbon is popular, then he should to run before the people to be voted as Head of the State. If he doesn't do it, he cannot boast about majority support.
The Spanish people never voted for Monarchy, which was imposed by Franco and the Army.

Rafael Pla-Lopez, Meliana, Spain

Please look into your own monarchy, leave our. For me Juan Carlos I and Sofia (our King and Queen) are a very good profesionals, a republic its de same only that the people who leave whit the spanish money change. Please look republics like USA, I think I don´t want to be like them. I feel so proud to be spanish and so proud to have a Parlamentary Monarchy.

Marga, Murcia, España/Spain

As the article points out many young Spaniards are not monarchist at all. It goes without saying that left wing voters are mainly republican but right wing voters are going in that direction too. Monarchy is an anachronism that can only survive if it serves for a clear purpose. When it turns to be more expensive and less effective than a republic there is no reason to keep it. King Juan Carlos has deceived many people by not standing up for those defending democracy and freedom in nationalist-ruled regions like Catalonia or the Basque Country.

Daniel Martínez, Visé, Belgium

I am Portuguese and to tell you the truth I don't understand why you're so worried with the Spanish Royal Family. Maybe you should look into yours. Scandals after scandals! Your press in the UK doesn't even respect the British R. F!!

In Portugal we also admire King Juan Carlos and his family. And the spanish press is respectfull to them , not like yours.

Maria, Lisbon, Portugal

I guess a British newspaper publishes an article like this because there is nithing else to be criticised regarding the British royal family.Spaniards are really proud about our monarch and he played a decisive role in our recent history which no other monarch in Europe has proved yet.The "lavish" way of life of our royals is close to the rest of royal families, cannot see the point of the article.

marta durán, Laredo, Spain

I am spanish, and I think spain is more republic than monarchist, but it´s always the same, the idea of a Monarchist Spain, is always sold on the mass media. This idea is starting to change. Spain does need any monarchy. Spain does not need Letizia and so on.
It´not envy what I read on this article, it´s only an approximation about what spaniards think about it.
Tell the truth about all the Spain monarchy members. We want to know!, and then forget!

Christina, Donostia,

I think most of spanish like the current king, but not so much the concept of Monarchy. King Juan Carlos has had a decisive rule in the spanish transition to democracy and his oficial work has been always wonderful, but to the future I wish some things change, I ´don´t speak about a republic, but is neccesary more tranparence.

Respect to the post that someone wrote about the second republic in spain I have to say that it was a legal govern, chosen by the people of Spain, but a military insurrection decided to overtrhow the govern, followed by part of the population, instead of waiting for the next elections. This was the origin of the spanish civil war.

Patricia, Granada, Spain

Completly agree with Ciaran... No more monarchy.

Alfonso Moldes, Vigo, Spain

The Kings and the Queens are for slaves. In Democray you vote for your Representatives and every body are equals by and for the Law. The heritage of a Dictatorship is not for ever. Pedro Alcudia. Senior Lecturer of University and MA Keele Unversity, GB.

Pedro, Córdoba, Spain

To ciaran quigley, NEW YORK, USA I totally respect your point of view, but being Spanish myself, the way I see it is that if it wasn't for King Juan Carlos II on the 23rd of Feb and the attempted coup by Col. Tejero there would not be a democracy at the moment in Spain. Therefore, I can not agree with you that a monarchy is anti-democratic. If you are talking about monarchy like Morocco, fair enough, but King Juan Carlos II has been a defender of democracy in Spain.

Emilio, Sevilla, Spain

Interesting article, but I am afraid that it does not hit on the target of the main question about the monarchy in Spain. The political system we have got in our country after Franco is not a democracy: it is well known in political sciences as a partytocracy, parties system or oligarchy of parties. It is characterized by concentration of the three powers (legislative, executive and jury) on the leader of the electoral winning party. So the main rule for a Democracy (among others), separation of the three powers (see Montesquieu), is missing in Spain. The role of the monarchy was to perpetuate this system after the death of Franco. And for that reason, the monarchy must be untouchable and appear as inmaculate and incorruptible to the eyes of all the Spanish. If the monarchy fails, all the system will go down, and we will get the oportunity to have a constituent period (what was denied during the Transition by the politicians) in order to select the form of State and of goverment.

Caronte, Cordoba, Spain

The political problem of King Juan Carlos is that the has betrayed his own supporters, meanwhile has spoiled his enemies -Franco´s enemies as well - in order to carry them to power and not to have problems with them. Now, once his enemies seized all power, wants to set up the Republic.
The problem of many spanish republican is not that they want to establish a new Republic, but set up back the Second Spanish Republic again, which was a failure and brought the country directly to a Civil War in 1936.
It is convenient not to forget that the coup de Etat organised in 1981 was organised by King Juan Carlos by himself, in order to generate confusion and to do what he eventually did: show his opposition to it obteining therefore the support of many comunist and socialist who until then hated him just for being the successor of Franco (see press of those times).
The only thing which concerns Juan Carlos is his own crown. He doesn´t care at all to what could happen in Spain. I think.

manuel, Huelva, Spain

Also in Spain the people get around 800 euros per month working with the timetable 9-14, break, 16-19, and pay for a rent 800 euros per month minimum or buy a 60m2 home for 130.000 euros, paying 1.200 per month. So there are alot of people that dont see logical mantain a Royal family here.

Emilio, Madrid,

Indeed, spanish monarchy is loosing its priviledged, untouchable position. It is an institution that has no sense ourdays.

What realy does concern me is the fact that the Crown Prince is not havin any son. This will lead to a constitutional reform in order to allow women to be queen. In my oppinion Spanish Government should not dare to touch the constitution in this sense before having asked spaniards if they want the monarchy to continue in Spain.

Jennifer, Barcelona, Sapin

As a Spaniard and firm believer in democracy, I'm ashamed that my country is still one of the few backward societies where monarchy exists. It makes as much sense in today's world as women wearing burkas --perhaps even less.
It is indeed obscene that these "royal ones" (!!!!!) should be lavishly paid to pose for photographers and discharge
similar "duties" --in Spain, the UK or anywhere on this planet.

Julio Rivas-ita, Caracas, Venezuela

God save the King of Spain and God save the Queen Elizabeth II. I would give my life for my king. Long life to the King!

Luis, Granada, Spain

Once a Constitution was drafted and passed by a democratic election back in 1978, the question of the type of State to have becomes a constitutional one. It can obviously be debated, but as such, there are "rigid" ways reserved for its change. It was clearly understood by our Constitution´s drafters that certain questions required more than a severe majority, for too many reasons to be related here. A practical view: our King being so much cheaper than Queen Elizabeth, I have no need to know where he spend his cash (the same way I do not tell where mine goes, it is his salary!).

Alejandro Armenteros, Granada, Spain

Your article reproduces some of the topics of the Spanish Monarchy. If you wan to go in deep, instead of saying The king quietly steered the country towards democracy while keeping the far Right in check, you should say: 1. The Franco regime was falling down since the creation of the Junta Democratica de Espana by Antonio Garcia-Trevijano and the comunist Party. 2. The king, although appointed by Franco, had no support from any Franco's men. 3. The murder of Carrero Blanco by ETA left the rigth wing without power and the OPUS sector took over pushing for entering in the EU. 4. The king was an opportunist who could manage to get the wave of Kissinger and the german socialdemocracy to control the influence of the comunist party designing a system withou separation of powers. Instead of saying that the King quashed a coup, you should say that the king planned the coup together with Armada and that only when Tejero acted by hisown, the king decided to stop it.

Fernando Osborne Swarctz, Valladolid, Spain

No, Mr, it is not the only institution respected by the Spaniards, maybe it is the least well-known of all, in their words, the most obscure. And please, don't try to slip through your statement that everything that goes wrong in Spain has to be blamed on the Socialist Party.The problem with you right-wingers is that fail to realise that the people decided to replace you because you lied to us, and furthermore, Juan Carlos was placed on the throne by a dictator. A referendum would certainly suffice to state who is a monarchist in Spain, once and for all.

Pedro Centeno, Badajoz, Spain

I disagree that it is clear that he stopped the military coup d´état in 1981. What this article does not say is that the coup was organised by Juan Carlos I´s personal secretary and man of confidence, the General Armanda. So either the King did not know what was happening right in front of him, or...

Antonio, Madrid,

as a spaniard, I'm so grateful to the rule of juan Carlos during 30 years. But today, the spanish royalty are not necessary and Juan Carlos should understand that monarchy has to finish. Spanish people are becoming to be tired of hidding information at medias, a family who are increasing with new members each year... this is a democracy and we should have the right to choose our head of state,

carlos, esplugues de llobregat, spain

I always love how Spanish nationalist/republicans/independentist always try to destroy the image of the King who in Spain symbolizes national unity by any means at their disposal. In this case by asking the Royal household to account for what they consider to be a lavish lifestyle, but in reality, -who forced the politicians in Spain to account for their lifestyle? And why should the Royal household reports their expenditures? If the King has to provide account for his expenses, so should every politician in Spain, and for that reason in Europe; maybe that’s the way to avoid the presumption that all politicians are corrupt.
By the way, how can you make a comparison between King Juan Carlos with the Queen of England? when the Queen is one of the wealthiest women in the planet with a personal fortune estimated to be £20,000m and with a budget of £37m paid by the British government for Royal expensed every year. Is she (the Queen) paying taxes on her wealth?

pepe, Wash. DC, USA

A plausible explanation for the good image associated to the Spanish Royal Family, especially when compared to the British one, is what your correspondent describes as "reverential treatment." Indeed, criticizing the local Royal Family is a taboo in Spain, both for the serious and the less serious press. This taboo includes even their budget. A fringe politician instead of a journalist is leading the campaign for the Royal Household to break up their budget. "El Jueves" cartoon was the sort of crude joke the magazine is well-known for. It could also be considered as a bit of a criticism on the Prince's working lifestyle. An overzealous judge ordered police to seize all copies of the weekly issue, as well as the "printing plates." (The latter probably says more about the judge than he would like.)

Yom, Madrid, Spain

The monarchy in Spain always is doing operations to earn popularity an be kept whit the crown.

1st. To appease the coup (1st generation)

2nd. The succesor is married with a plebeian woman (2n generation)

3rd. The succesor of a succesor is a woman, (They will have to change the constitution) (3rd generation)

Anrhick, Barcelona, Catalunya

It is incredible that the author of this article hates so much Spain. He is a foreigner that the Spanish society does not know by no means. He dramatizes very much, and gives him more importance to a great minority of population. I am Spanish, and assure them that Spain is a total democracy, here there governs the one who the Spanish we want, and the King only has representative functions of the State. The Spanish monarchy belongs very different from the Britisher. God save the King! God save the Prime Minister Zapatero!

Luis, Granada, Spain

Each day there are more and more republic hearts in Spain.

Almudena Fernandez, Malaga, Spain

I would hardly call the spanish royal family "a profitable tourist attraction"..in those terms they're not worth the candle.
In a country where the press in some regions is directly financed by governing parties and the national ones serve one or other party it's easy to understand how some things become untouchable. However, internet has become quite a headache for all things taboo and quite uncotrolable for the establishment..
Corruption is rife in Spain and the less noise made over the royal family the better albeit next thing the public will be out in the streets targeting the politicians as well (up till now they've managed to keep the plebs under control), I can tell you a British MP would blush at the lifestyle and earnings of spanish mayors in town halls of more less 10.000 population.
All in all it's hardly been 30 years since there was a dictatorship and things take their time, Step by step and we`ll get there.

Locke, london, UK

I have started to read this article with quite interest but as soon as I reach the paragraph talking about that one of your source is the opinion of Joan Tardá, I have to consider this piece of paper as a nonsense. I strongly recomend you know about who really is that man, an extremist whose words shouldn´t never be considered. Do you really know the "real" expenditure of the Queen, no kidding.

Carlos Múgica, Cadiz, Spain

I have read the article on the King Juan Carlos and I am wondering whether the author tells a novel using some weak arguments and doubtful testimonies of politician who represent a very minor part of the Spanish citizens (less than the 5% of the overall Spanis voters), so you paid attention to who maybe are not very representative of the average ideas on Monarchy in Spain. Moreover you refreshed old incidents that mean almost nothing to us. The article leaves out the strong support of the Monarchy and King Juan Carlos in Spain gained during the last 30 years (an example: he knocked out the fascist coup in 1981). I am wondering who much Mr. Aznar weighted in this article. Very likely the Murdoch's advisor José María Aznar, former Prime Minister suggested it. If so, Mr Aznar, please, do not forget who are you attacking and remember: your are a retired politician -and we retired you-.

Alberto, madrid, Spain

Yes Ciaran, they might be anachronistic but then what's the alternative? George Bush? No thanks.

Gio, Melbourne, Australia

Not digging out in details about the spanish royal family, which for sure had numerous events better to forget, I think that you english people shall have to care more about what you have in your own home and look that at least in Spain our royal family is some steps ahead of english royal family on everything.

Antonio, Madrid,

Spain has been well served by an excellent King. Of course there are some politicians who are jealous of the fact that the King enjoys a level of support among the public that they can only dream about. Others dream of taking over and politiciisng his office.The point is of course as in the UK, Australia Canada and other constiutional monarchies, the Crown in a constitutional monarchy is not important for the power it has. But it is important for the power it denies others.

And as for the British Royal Family, the taxpayer makes a most lucrative profit out of them. This results from The Queen handing over her income for life from the Crown estates. And The Queen rceives no salary or supeannuation -what is paid is to cover the costs of her public duties. fOn top of this , tourism authorities estimate that the Crown attracts an enormous part of tourist income in the UK.
What more can be said than God Save The King and God Save The Queen!

David Flint, Sydney, Australia

This article presents fails dismally to identify the reason for this situation. Republicans have always been important in Spanish politics, without ever diminishing the popularity of the Royal Familiy. What is the difference nowadays? Since coming to power, President Rodriguez has launched a complete revision of the concept of State. For all the citizens on the center-right, and for many on the left, this was an unnecesary move that endangers not only the State itself but the Nation behind it. The lack of action on the part of the Royal Family during all this process has alarmed and upset the traditional conservatives, who have historically been the core of the support for the monarchy and were already bothered by the simpathy of the Royal Family for lefty political options. In a process so very much like the one that ended up with his grandfather taking a ship in Cartagena, it is the behaviour of the Royal Family during these difficult times what threatens the future of the monarchy.

Pablo, Cambridge, USA

Perhaps the solution in Spain and the Uk is to allow this absurd pantomime to die out with our present monarchs who have, to be fair, shown courage, dedication and dignity. The trouble with monarchies is of course that we cannot guarantee the same will be true of their successors. In democracies in which our polticians constantly tell us of their efforts to build meritocracies this is a nonsense. It always amuses and baffles me that we are so critical of the alleged excesses of our elected representatives (Blair's fondness for foreign holidays, Cherie's expensive haircuts, MPs expenses) and yet still put up with a family that has several houses at our expense, trots around the world doing very little other than smile and wave and yet sits resplendent at the top of society apparently deserving our respect, admiration and a disproportionate say in how the country is run. And the matter is never debated, never referred to. Let's start doing so now urgently. It would be democratic.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

It is true that the Spanish Royal Family is an untouchable issue. There are several explanations, the heaviest reason is that attached to the present democratic stability in Spain there's the label of "consented" monarchy. If it were to be revised and questioned, then we might arrive at conflicting positions. Furthermore, millions of Spaniards will never forget the undisputable role of the present king when the attempted coup in 1981: he sided on democracy. That night Spain understood king Juan Carlos was no mere puppet, that night he entered history. And that night he showed how important his figure meant for the Spanish democracy (just suppose there weren't any king available...). As for Alejandro Quiroga's words, in present day Spain there are other priorities (remember the participation at the Estatut for Catalonia poll) and the change of political system is not one of them.

Leuman Royce, Malaga, Spain

As opposed to a president voted in as the least worst option in a plutocratic referendum owing more to mob rule than the spirit of democracy, which is to involve all parties and lines of thought? The Queen may not have stood for election, but nor does she have to pander to any backers other than the state, no any party other than the democratically chosen government. She embodies the country as a whole rather than the party chosen by some of those eligible and able on the day to vote once every half decade or so. Also, she did not seek power, but had it given to her, as it could be given to anybody, any character by accident of birth rather than by account of chequebook.

Philip Stobbart, London,

Monarchies becomes a disturning thingin a world of transnational financial regimes. But here we need to remember the recent Thailand, Italian and USA cases, and ask ourselves about the Republican model.

If there is an urgency to broke with anachronistic models of past times, why we don't start to look towards fiscal paradises in the same Tortuga Islands. This Pirates aristocracy is very alive, growing, and more powerful than ever.

And the European press is very silence with this topic. Come on, don't be shy.

Pato Lucas, Tarragona, Spain

I'm spanish and I love my king, arriba españa

Hans, Bilbao, España

I'm spanish and I can see why the prince is losing popularity after his weeding. does any woman take almost one year for her maternity? Every woman in Spain has 4 months, Letizia was out of "work" since the second month... things like this makes people be against the royal...

Sara, Madrid,

Upstarts. Cheers

Di, Madrid, Spain

Hello, I am Spanish and I think that it is very easy to speak about other countries but about our one ...... Already the Britishers wanted to have our monarchy.

ALEXANDRA, SPAIN, SPAIN

In a country where envy is the main sin, you could understand that the monarchy might want to keep private their finances. But from the experience of the past, where the socialist corruption rummaged the classified funds you do understand that there is a need for light. Now Spain is a democracy and people expect to be treated equally and fairly. It is true that there are many in Spain that want the monarchy abolish, it is true that it is an anachronism, but for the moment it works, being above them, at least, it keeps our politicians in check. This is why they tend to undermine it, specially the left - republicans and socialist- because the monarchy acts as a leverage of the politicians’ power, and they want it all. Knowing the kind of politicians we have if they get all the power we will be doomed. And what nobody says is that if Spain loses its monarchy we might end if lucky like Italy and its corruption and if unlucky like Argentina or any other chaotic south American country like V

Luis Palomino, Miami, USA

I agree Thomas Catan. I'm a young Spaniard and I don't understand why these people is still living from ....spaniard's money just because their name is Borbón!! We are in the 21th century not in the 19th century. It's true that Juan Carlos did a great thing during the transition but I think that 31 years of gratitude from treasury are quite enough.
Some spanish journalist say that if there wasn't monarchy, we had to give the same money to the Prime Minister. I think they are right but that Prime Minister would be there because Spaniard would have voted for him. He would be a person chosen democratically.

Silvia, Valladolid, Spain

At time that spanish King is intouchable by law, his roll is virtually only representative, so the lack of any real authority during the 11M terrorism attack became in an unexpected gobern change wit the cinsequences for the country that everybody knows. In my opinion with a republican system the president had probably avoid that shocked people were to vote. The problem is that in spain media and press overprotect the Royal institution and people is not prepare to dedide between Monarchy and republic under these conditions. P.D. Sorry for my english

Enrique Prades, Cartagena, Spain

This is incredible!, I am the Socialist and think that juan carlos is a great monarch, he has gained his place in the Spanish politics with his actions.Spain likes her monarquía and thinks that leticia is a great option to be the queen. Joan is in a mistake.

alex, calahorra, spain

LOL Ciaran Quigley. We have the well respected Queen Elizabeth. You have the war monger and escapee from reality George Walker Bush. Oh and other greats like Richard Nixon. Great System. Where the person 'wins' head of state by having the most money in an election campaign and then creates chaos around the world, I would say is significantly less effective than a constitutional monarchy.

Ashley Mason, Plymouth, Devon

Reading this article, one actually just can feel a serious concern about the future of the british monarchy. Perhaps the scope that the autor shows about the spanish monarchy is scored in a more than moderate weight for this reason. Everywhere, the more bleeding anacronism of the U.K., is, obviously, the status of the spanish land of Gibraltar. Yours sincerely, and pardon my english.

Pepe Prego, f., Málaga, SPAIN

Long live the Republic!!!

David Chocrón, Malaga, Spain

Spanish democracy is not so far yet. We, Spaniards, can not live in freedom and in democracy without having a leading and untouchable face, who can be a King. Its a pitty but this is real. I wish we could have a republic but history has shown that Spaniards can not live without a monarchy, even without a one which initially came from France (The Borbon family). So as a spanish republican I have to say, with all my suffering, long live the King! You can check this out by taking a look at the poor, infantile and irresponsible politics of our prime minister Zapatero, whom unique objective is to destroy the spanish state with the help of these independentist groups, which only have around 5% of the votes in Spain.

Juan, Munich,

LONG live the REPUBLIC

DAVID, Ronda, Spain

When Brits speak Spain there is always a reason of competion, like when they speak of Italy. There are historical reasons of hate with Spain and Italy from 16th century. It's better for English to look at home before to speak about Royal families..may be they are envy because the Spanish monarchy had no a Diana's affaire. Historically Spain is the strongest nation of west Europe with UK, all brit intrigues against Spain had the risult of the end of British Empire in 20th century. Think before write: your army defeat comes out of Basra today. Where the great Britannnia? Hating Spain is not a good affaire.

nicolò, florence, italy

Dear ciaran quigley, NEW YORK, USA:

"...where the head of state inherits the position regardless of fitness to perform..."

Hmm, a starge observation to make in view of the way things are going in the U.S.A, where power is now increasingly concentrated in the hands of quasi-aristocratic clans like the Bushes and Clintons, "regardless of fitness to perform".

F. Morre, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Ciaran is incorrect. The monarch reigns he/she does not rule. Infinitely superior to the corrupt/morally bankrupt ex-politician that is usually head of State in a Republic.

HG, Swindon, Wilts

Most of the critics against Monarchy in Spain come from Basque and Catalan parties. These parties pretend to weaken Spanish Institutions and, therefore, achieve Catalonia and the Basque Country spin off from Spain.
Those parties believe that turning our Monarchy into a Republic would launch such a social turmoil, that it may lead Catalonia and the Basque Country to independence.

It is a reckless and unsensible strategy, and the Spanish society should be more aware of challenges other than stupid regional conflicts.

Martin Benito, Madrid, Spain

Hi

I am spanish and i think king is cool. you have envy.

Javier, madrid, spain

After a disastrous republic and a long military dictatorship, this monarchy has done much better than its predecessors. Nevertheless, the Royal family has betrayed the old aristocratic ideals and ways of life to become a typical bunch of well-to-do's. I'm afraid that putting again into question the status quo will benefit nobody. But, again, Spain seems to be different.

Javier Gil, Murcia, Spain

As a Spaniard and a resident of the Kingdom of Spain, I am absolutely in favour of a Republic, whether in my own country or in the rest of the world. Sure, all kinds of governments are a huge expense to the citizens, but at least when a Prime Minister or President are not considered suitable we have the option of ousting him/her. But what can we do about the immense cost to our pockets caused by the royals? And worse of all, they inherit the throne, along with our money.

Maria R. Alvarez, Seville, Spain

I think from his name we can all gather what Mr. Quigley stands for. Give me a European monarchy any day (for head of state) over some of the truly appalling incumbents of the Oval Office over the last thirty years.

Paul Kempsey, Clitheroe, England

The Spanish Monarchy is no different from any other European Monarchy. They all enjoy privileges that other mortal
can only dream of. Yes. I would like to have been one of the chosen one...

Marie Stenman, Alicante,

Despite royalty being an anachronism, if we look at countries with royal families, Britain, Netherlands,Norway, Sweden. Denmark, they are much more democratic than the USA, where 40 million are not covered by health insurance, where corruption is rife, where some 3500 or so are killed by guns each year, a figure 20 times that of Australia on a population basis, where the president is barely literate, where the Geneva convention is ignored, where capitol punishment is still carried out like some medieval justice system , and New Orleans is still a mess.
The spanish royal family is an dictator imposed royal family.
Lets face it, the Bush family will never be a tourist draw.

archg, melbourne , australia

The only complaint I have heard from fellow madrileños about the wedding of Felipe to Letizia is the disgusting way a catalan designer watered down the national colours of Spain for the banners and decorations in the streets from red and gold to pink and pale yellow.

Rodrigo Fernández, Madrid, Spain

Our King, HRH Juan Carlos I, is the guarantee of order and peace in our Country. I find unacceptable your comments . HM is loved by all Spaniards. The Republic and the comunism in 1932 caused over one million dead in Spain. All spanish citzens are confident that monarchy produces stability. The reds cant forget all the harm that caused and would be a dessater for Spain to have again a Red Republic leaded by masons. Leave things perform in Spain as they are and look after your own problems. We do not want more Brigades as those that came from abroad to Spain in 1936 to murder Spaniards. In this large period , the largest ever without political problems and the wealthiest, since General Francisco Franco died, nobody can say something bad of our King. We pray for having King Juan Carlos in Spain for another 35 years more. Long life for our King Juan Carlos I

Felipe Morenes, Spain

Felipe Morenes, Jerez, Spain

Get rid of them, they are parasites, we are burdened by 'Royals' here here in the UK too, they make a mockery out of democracy while their very existence is an insult to the common man. How dare anybody place themselves above others by right of birth. It's a primitive and senseless waste of taxpayers money to support such creatures while we cut public services for taxpayers. And to have laws to protect them is nothing short of fascist, then Spain has never been a beacon of democracy , what with Franco and the Inquisition and the Conquistadors. Rise up and get rid of them Spaniards!!! We should do the same here in the UK. Damn the parasites to oblivion where they belong!

Winston McSmith, Edinburgh,

i don't know how " the times" can say this about spanish monarchy when all world know that england royal family is the biggest in europe and ones in the world. well ,we only have to go to : http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes here you will see who live in style...

Marco, Seville, Spain

yes, I´d like to know where our money goes, and I´d like to enjoy the properties of the state that the royal family enjoyes (the Fortuna, the palaces, the cars, the jewels...). But in this country some things seems to be always the same.

Paula, Madrid,

We have tried the Republic a few times in Spain. It did not work that well.

Funny though that those who consider themselves no Spaniards (tarda and anasagasti) are so concerned about the King of Spain.

martin, madrid, spain

Questioning Royal Houses budgets is the talk of demagogues. Just compare them to the expense of heads of sate in major republics, say The Elysee and The White House and you will in for a surprise.

Sebastian Santa-Cruz
Santiago - Chile

Sebastian Santa-Cruz, Santiago, Chile

Best article I have ever read about our king. Imposible to find something similar here, in Sapin, where there is a no written cencorship about morachy. Congratulatios.

Lázaro, Bilbao, Spain

These costs are mitigated by the tourist dollars which are attracted to the monarchy, it's institutions and traditions.

Barney Panofsky, Vancouver, Canada

Not being a huge fan of a monarchy in itself, I have to say anyway that democratic monarchy has been the only political system that has managed to bring political and economic stability for Spain. There were two previous republican attempts and none of them finished well (I'm not a Franco fan, I say it before someone acuses me). The fact is that the current political system was the model that gained most consensus from all moderate political parties during the transition. I think anyway that there are things that have to be reviewed in relation to the role and privileges of the Monarchy and specially the Royal Family. I have to criticise anyway that quotes from members of nationalist/independentist parties are used on the article because they are by definition enemies of Spanish symbols and The King is second only to the national flag.

Pedro, Dublin, Ireland

I am Spanish. The opinion concerns little to me that has The Times journal of the Spanish monarchy. The Spanish monarchy is a modern monarchy, nevertheless the English cannot say the same of the English monarchy, too much anchored in the past.

CARLOS, Madrid, Spain

Your article is good reflecting the superficiality of the spanish politics. If you want to go in deep you should say:
1. Instead of saying The king quietly steered the country towards democracy while keeping the far Right in check. You should say.:
The Franco regime was falling down since the creation of the Junta Democratica de Espana by Antonio Garcia-Trevijano and the Comunist Party.
The king, althoug appointed by Franco did not have any support from the right hand of the regime.
The murder of Carrero Blanco by ETA stroke the rigth wing of the regime gaining influence the OPUS sector who was fighting to enter EU. The regime was dead.
The king was an opportunist who had the support from Kissinger and the german socialdemocracy to set up a regime to avoid the influence of the comunist party. The regime is not a Democracy because there is no separation of powers.
The king planned the coup in 1981, but had to quash it when Tejero acted by his own.

Fernando Osborne Swarctz, Valladolid, Spain

Must say that this article has been like a "bomb" here,....most of the Tv channels have been talking about the article and Im sure that tomorrow all he newspapers will talk about it.Particulary I think that our king and queen are doing their "job" quite well,but from the marriage of Pince Felipe "something" is changing in the monarchy,something that the King isnt happy with,Im not sure what will happen in the future but I think that Prince Felipe will have to do a very hard effort to keep the monarchy in "good shape" and will have a lot of troubles.In comparission with the British monarchy we "support " to Juan Carlos basically but Felipe will not find too much "supporters" in the future.We are proud of the person ,in this case of Juan Carlos.
I know that ths article will hurt him but hes doing a "job" with posiive and negative things.

Rosa, Madrid, Spain

The problem is, Spain would never recognize the problem behind the Monarchy. Censorship strikes anytime the problem is menctioned. Public media evades the question. The first glimpse of truth we've seen published is this. And even now, only a few of the spanish media is catching the echo of this.

Spain is full of republicans, true, but the State will always keep us in silence. We live in obscure times of censorship, silence, and lies told to the great public while they try to cage our voices.

Albert, Ciudad Real, Spain

Nothing wrong with such 'a profitable tourist attraction', Mr Quigley, since the Spanish Royal Family traditionally spend their summer holidays here in Palma. Unlike Mr Quiroga, I see no need for them 'working extremely hard to sell Prince Felipe to the Spanish public'. Prince Felipe would instantly become everybody's hero if he were to appear on prime time nationwide TV announcing his full support of land grab victims worldwide, beggining such noble campaign by exposing land-grabbers in both Majorca and Texas. This would 'educate' Rudy even further, while the whole world enjoys life, freedom and property rights during Ron Paul's consecutive terms at the White House.

L. A. Dietz, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Thomas Catan only shows a part of the truth in this article, as he usually does.

Carlos, Lugo, Spain

Surely Mr. Catal does not have any idea at all of what is going in Spain. Truly, I do believe that the British monarchy deserves much more critic than the Spanish. Recent years way of life, huge amount of money spent, lack of any sense of responsability in their acts...The Spanish Royal Family has long been respected by almost the whole country with some exceptions that come from politicians who represent a very very small percentage. It is funny that a politician talks about not working...We all see day by day the work the Royal family do. Cannot tell the same about politicians.

maria barranco, madrid, spain

Dear Mr. Catan,
Let´s review your own figures. The Spanish Royal Household has an 8m Euro budget. The UK Queen Household a budget of more than 17m Euro.
And you still claim in your article that the Spanish style is the lavish one? I beg your pardon!
On the very same day that the UK is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the death of Lady Di with another media event, I regret to say, not a big piece of journalism you have delivered. It is biased and lacks style.

J. Cortinas, Valencia, Spain

Insulting a member of the Royal Family or “damaging the prestige of the Crown” is a crime in Spain, punishable by up to two years in jail. But stealing your baggage is only punished with a fine which is never paid. Be aware when traveling to Spain.

Joan Garces, Barcelona, Catalonia

In the Kingdom of Spain, we love our royal family. God save the king.

jose Carrasco, Sevilla, Kingdom of Spain

Everyone puts up with monarchy in Spain nowadays knowing it is a useless institution . We have never seen any member of the royal family visiting an orphanage for instance. They are seen only with the winners, never with the losers. However, we, the vast majority of us Spaniards are so busy looking at our own belly-buttons , full of ourselves enjoying our newly - acquired standard of living in democracy , that could not care less about who rules the country over and about the government of the day.

Emilio , La Coruna , Spain

Of course in the 21 st century, we must think that monarchy is an anachronic institution, but I think that monarchy have two good things, one is that possibly monarchy is cheaper than keeping a country president and changing him every 4-8 years, besides this, the most interesting thing of a monarchy, is that it isn't of a determined party, so the king or queen of a country are the king or queen of all the citizens of the country, nobody could think " I didn't vote to this president, so I'm not interested on him" you know what I mean? In Spain nobody can forget how Juan Carlos I, acted during the "coup de état" the 23 rd of february in 1981, his action was very important to avoid the end of the young spanish democracy

Adolfo, Galdácano, España

Do you speak of Spain? And your monarchy that is ...... it if that is a horror

Micaela, Murcia, Spain

I've just two words for proponents of an elected head of state - PRESIDENT BUSH.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Spain is a pluri-national state (as Britain) and monarchy is not only a thing of the past. Galicia is not Spain (Spanish as such is the axis Castile-Andalusia). We have our own language (closer to Portuguese), culture (closer to the Celtic Nations, we have our own nameplace call Bretona in Lugo) and History. Spain is the name that Castile gave to itself as an imperialist delirium. Spain's name used to refered to the whole Iberian Peninsula (Hispanic Peninsula) which included Portugal (country originated in Galicia). The current kings just follow the Castillian sucession line. It used to be refered as "the Spains" until the French Bourbons (following what was done in another multi-national state as France) imported the unitarian and centralized State which was Spain until 1978 (and still is in many subtle ways)...It's such a mess!!

Santi Carvalhido, A Corunha, Galicia

The monarchy is the only institution set up by Franco to survive the dictator. If in Spain there is no criticism of the monarchy, it is not because of universal acceptance of it, but because it is illegal and all the media suffer from adherence to that taboo. We ignore how much support the king has and how that support is eroded or not as we cannot seriously debate about it. It is ridiculous to have such a taboo, such a privilege-by-birth in a now developed democracy.

Spain has a long tradition of getting rid of the monarchy ... only to get it back, something like four or five times since the 19th century. We don't seem talented in removing dictators, but have more skills in ousting the kings.

As per the option of having to elect the president of a republic instead, ther is no need for a ribbon-cutting head of state, who is like a temporary-monarch and as useless.

maria, Madrid, Spain

The problem is that the spanish people know nothing about what their king do, what he has done (not even what happened in the famous "coup"), how does he get the money, how much he owns and how does he spend it...
The problem is that the extreme right side (they always thought the king was a traitor to Franco) is now stronger than even in the Aznar's Popular Party and they thinks the King is not neccesary anymore. And they are putting what they know over the table. And spanish people is not used to that, it is the first time that they have to face the truth about their king.
Obviously this kind of article was banned in Spain.

PMFA, Madrid, Spain

Maybe Royalty is an anachronism nowadays, but I think that many presidents can learn a bit of the Spanish Monarchy. They are quite good at their job. The King was a very important piece in the transition, and at present, the Queen Sofía is pioneer in micro-credits and those things that, despite they aren't known, they are important. In my opinion, as Elvira Lindo said, maybe today the "King" is her.

Carlos L. S., León, Spain

i'm spaniard and i completely agree with you but the biggest problem here is the spanish journalism. It's completely impossible to find an article like this one in any newspaper, radio or tv program in spain. Amazingly, the socialist govern and all the media that support them are the mos enthusiastic defenders of our "lovely" monarchy. Everything is hidden and perfectly under control.

manuel padin, madrid, spain

I do not beleive that the politicians mentioned in the article , Tarda & the separatist basc senator are anything more than biased separatists who beleive in "countries " which never existed as such. I agree I rather have the King representing the spanish monarchy, which exists since 1463 instead of those extremist lunatics, factual supoport of our "president zapatero", by whom I really do not feel represented. I hope he goes soon

Alberto Isla, London,

As far as I'm concerned, the King has been a great ambassador, as he is greatly admired in most Latin American countries for boosting the economic and social ties of Spain with Latin America.

He (and to some extent the Queen) have been doing a great public relations work for Spain overseas.

Roberto Rubio, Guadalajara, Mexico

King of Spain is completely useless. He do nothing except travelling and living in luxury. He doesn´t have any political power at all. He continues being king because changing into a republic could be difficult (it implies to reform constitution laws) or because politicals don´t have any interest in it. If a referendum of spanish citizens were done, it could be possible to pull down the monarchy.
Sign: Republicano.

Juan, Granada, Spain

Monarchy is an institution which has worked pretty well for us during the last 32 years. It properly plays its role as symbol of the Nation, as well as being an element of political balance and an extraordinarily valuable 'ambassador' abroad. Furthermore the King doesn't gather too much real power, thus Spanish people don't see the need of changing anything nowadays. If you think the Crown is not popular in Spain just check the opinion polls, which not surprisingly dare to differ from that opinion. If we Spaniards are clever enough we'll bet for stability and will see a reigning King Felipe in the future, otherwise I'm afraid we'll get what we deserve.

Javier Dominguez, Madrid, Spain

however, being hereditarilly wealthy they are less prone to pinching public funds, self aggrandizement, and foolish acts damaging to the nation, QED. They also produce a net profit to the country.

findlay, cluj,

Let me highlight that for Spain, a country with a very limited democratic experience, monarchy, as an institution, is likely to provide longer term political stability than a republican form of government. – The latter, it would expose the whole country to an excess of election processes – both, for the presidency and the prime minister – This would generate more social confrontation than we need.

We already have enough political disturbance in Spain, every time a socialist government comes to power for a term in office. Then, it is seems the time for social confrontation, economic uncertainty and corruption, pursue of religious education, curtail of freedoms. All of it encouraged by the relevant socialist administrations each time.

Given my above view on the monarchy as an institution, a completely different subject is the acumen of the monarch to play his social pondering role in the country. - In the case of our Spanish monarchy, it lately seems that King Juan Carlos I gives for granted the support from the conservative half of Spanish citizens. It would be a misfortune that the institution became eroded by him getting over confident. Nor would it be the first time to happen in our history with the Borbons.

Juan L. Cuñat , Valencia, Spain

Juan Carlos has been a very good Professional.
Both politicians that you named, Tarda and Anasagasti represent nothing in votes in Spain. They can be listened by "boutades". Sorry but you correspondant loose the whole point here.
The monarchy has won a strong position and we, spaniards, owe to Juan Carlos, more than we can posibly give back to Him
Please, just do not amplify the opinions that so small people, as those, whose where their names again?

Javier Cortada, Plantation, Florida

without king, bye bye Spain.

Milio, bcn, spain

I am French and Your monarchy is not better that we say......

Sebastien , Lyon , France

I'm a Spaniard too, and the article miss the true point. There is no novelty in leftist and separatist (like Tarda or Anasagasti) criticism of the spanish monarchy. The true novelty is that every day more and more conservative and centrist spanish average citizens become less and less supporters of the spanish monarchy and unconcerned about the pros and cons of the "monarchy/republic" debate. This revolutionary change of mind has been motivated for the passivity and silence of King Juan Carlos I considering the events since Mr. Zapatero is playing a leading role in the breakup of Spain as nation and state, without due respect of the spanish constitution.

Joaquin, Granada, Spain

I have read with interest the article by Thomas Catan. In regards to Spanish King Juan Carlos, I would like to make the following criticism on him: the main role of the Spanish King is supervising as independent moderator the welfare and essential legal rules of Spanish citizens, addressing those issues that deserve special attention from political authorities. Well, I think he should have criticized and expressed his concern about some anti-constitutional laws in some Spanish regions (Catalonia and Valencia), government’s negotiations with terrorists and recently the right of parents to decide their children’s moral education. His silence is unacceptable. But in his defense, his expenses are nothing compare to the recent and surprising Spanish president and members of the cabinet usage of public resources (air force airplanes or helicopters) for private business. There must be only a single king!

Albert Waxman, Chicago, USA

I don't agree with the article. ERC and PNV represent a minority of Spaniard population, no more than 3%. The only thing new is that the current socialist Government accepts the blackmail of the nationalisms against the rest of Spaniard people. To be honest, it's difficult to imagine a worse President than Mr. Zapatero. Juan Carlos' son will be the next King of Spain, no doubt about it. The Republica is esteemed just by some extreme left parties.

Montse, Barcelona, Spain

I feel it is a partial point of view and no all factors have been taken into account. Even in the case everything were right, I would like the columnist to consider who may provide Spain with a well known reputation all over the world but King Juan Carlos, and of course I would appreciate Mr. Catan or Mr. Quiroga, to compare how much would it cost a Republican President, in terms of money but also in terms of reputation, without thinking about additional hidden incomes. Former French President, Mr. Chirac, could serve as an example ?. Not to mention Mr. Tarda or Mr. Anasagasti and many other politiciens who I do not think are serving our country's interests. Do you?

aurelio fernandez, madrid, spain

I am Spanish and think that the Spanish monarchy plays an important role. Already the Britishers wanted to have the monarchy that we have the Spanish. The king Juan Carlos is a central figure in our democracy and he has won the love of the people. Sorry for my english

ALEXANDRA, Murcia, SPAIN

In Spain, the current monarchy is more efficient and inexpensive than a Republican system. We have a highly qualified person without political opinion on the top of the state representation, what makes it easy to relate our country with anyone. In addition, the king has not real power (the parliament and the government make ALL decisions). And finally, the vast majority of spaniards support him nowadays. PD: The cost of British monarchy is quite worrying. Fortunately, the King's official expenses in Spain are just 8M€ (nothing to do with the 1000M in UK).

Ignacio, Madrid, Spain

The popular image of the Spanish Royal ´Family has been undermined for ages, but the media has always managed to hide this simple truth. Even though their many supporters regard King Juan Carlos as the saviour of the nation, there are many other citizens who basically despise this old-fashioned institutions, but they don't dare to say in public.
Spanish royals live sorrounded in a hallo of near deities, luxurious holidays and tacky weddings, whereas hundreds of Spanish families can't even make ends meet. Fair ?
Best regards from a non-supporter of upstarts

Di, Madrid, Spain

You have to live in Spain to understand this. Comments, however well meaning, from Americans and the like are of no interest and add nothing of value to the discussion.

D. Bloomfield, Valencia, Spain

There is some pain in Spain monarchy. Felipe, I really apreciate your beau geste marrying Letizia: she opened the eyes to everyone. If anyone can be queen, anyone can be king...or better, president of the republic. I better prefer voting somebody every four years, than trusting the son of the political inheritor of Franco. Thank you Felipe for your wedding. A republican

Lola, Madrid, Spain

Far better an enlightened hereditary monarchy, as in Spain and the UK, than have as Head of State the second-rate political opportunists - not infrequently quite unprincipled or worse - we have seen take high office in so many republics including, in modern times, France, Ireland and the USA to name but three.....

Alex Moffat, Newcastle, UK

In the 21st century, monarchy should be analysed from a practical point of view. History aside, King Juan Carlos plays an invaluable political, diplomatic and economic role with a budget way below that of any other comparable head of state (according to your data nearly 8 times smaller than Queen Elizabeth). He is extraordinarily appreciated throughout the World and has more than once been the one to repair political gaffes made by the Spanish government. He knows his job well and has done it for over 30 years. No wonder most Spaniards are "juancarlistas". Whether his son should be King or not is merely a practical issue. If he is half as good as his father at double the cost he will still be a better choice than a more expensive, less experienced President of the Republic.

Alvaro Harnden, Madrid, Spain

I believe that monarchies in this day and age should not exist. Nevertheless, the Spanish Royal Family is one of the most down to earth in Europe. The British Royal Family should learn from them in many ways.

Grace Isaacson, Carson City, NV, USA

I think the article is portraying the opinion of a minority as mainstream.
In fact, there's not even a debate in the public opinion right now, as the article seems to suggest.

Of course separatists such the ones mentioned never liked the King or the Royal Family. This is nothing new, but I'm afraid they dislike them more for being the institutional symbol of a democratic, united Spain, than for being kings.

Compared with other European royal families -let's not even mention the scandals of the British royals- they are doing a pretty good job, especially considering our recent history, and you can see wherever they go that crowds just love them.

Javier, Valencia,

As high representatives of a country I'll rather have a Royal Family, (and one as cheap as the Spanish), than a First Minister that should be on the pairlament, not travelling around the globe. What people on the politic media keep forgetting is that this family is most adored by the Spanish housewives. Seriously, have you seen Felipe's first borne, Leonor?, mark my words, no political argument can fight those golden locks.

Lucy, Madrid, Spain

Hi Ciaran Quigley,
I don't think many people call a monarchy a democracy, or a meritocracy. We call it a monarchy (or perhaps an aristocracy).
If we called it a profitable tourist attraction, then people might confuse it with Disneyland, and thus have trouble understanding the nature of the British political system.
I'm not sure what you think qualifies as fitness for this role, but if you can find someone else who's been trained from birth for it, then I'll consider them. Maybe you need to bear in mind that these are well educated people (though not necessarily wise), soldiers (though they may never have been in real danger), and above all, embodiments of tradition ( or tourist attractions as you might dismiss that word). Their flaws are glaring, but they are pretty good at doing what they need to do.
Any way you look at it, your view of monarchy seems more of the anachronism, oddly enough. The revolution is over, as is the 18th century. Things have moved on.

Fearful Symmetry, Kobe, Japan

The fact that the only people quoted are republicans says a lot about this article. I am talking about politicians like Iñaki Anasagasti, who is a Basque nationalist, or Esquerra Republicana, which is a Catalan nationalist party. Also, the fact that King Juan Carlos is so beloved in Spain does not only have to do with Monarchy. He was the one person who stopped the coup d'etat in 1981 and hence a comeback to dictatorship.

Nieves, Madrid, Spain

Monarchies are out of step with their own people and all of them should be slowly phased out they are unneeded anachronisms.

Richard, Manchester, NH, USA

I am Spanish, a voter of the left, and I am a monarchist. Like me, the vast majority of Spaniards do not question our system. Monarchy was established together with our Constitution after 40 years of Dictatorship. We respect our king and our democracy. Joan Tardá represents a party voted by a minority. I have never heard he story of the bear and the cartoonists who have been called to court laugh about the incident themselves. The fact that Anasagasti, a member of another minority party, can express what he thinks shows that he indeed lives in a democracy. For that reason I can overtly say that Anasagasti and his party have always been indulgent with the terrorist band ETA, the murders of more than 800 people so far. The streets of Madrid were crowded with people supporting the wedding between Prince Felipe and Doña Leticia Ortiz and there is a minority of fogies who were against it out of sheer male chauvinism, for whom the princess must be a virgin and a member of the nobility.

Arancha Álvarez, Madrid, Spain

King Juan Carlos was also lolinked with the coup on the 23rd Feb 1981, thus waiting until 02.00 am the morning of the 24th to make his speech on TV as you mention. By that time the whole country knew that nothing would come of the coup.
His Grandfather Alfonso XIII lost his crown due to a referendum, so we Spniards are not really moarchists and becoming less Juancarlistas.

Alberto Santolaya, Alicante, Spain

I think the united kingdom would be delighted with a king like this instead of the actual prince of walles

robert, vaasa, finland

Constitutional monarchies have proven to be the most stable form of government. Look at the European monarchies, and you can see how well they are doing (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, UK). Spain is doing tons better than Portugal, which went republican. Italy's presidential "election" is a spectacular mess with so much graft it is ridiculous; the same happens in other countries with "symbolic" presidents.

Spain owes a lot of its post-Franco success to the stability brought by the restored monarchy, and they will be foolish to abolish it and risk the ridiculous politicking over a powerless but symbolic office.

mel, new york, ny

It's incredible that the ultra minority nationalistic far left in Spain can cause such an uproar in British tabloids. The monarchy in Spain is beloved by the majority of the Spanish populace. The far left republican minded troblemakers will never be happy with the advances in Spanish life and the contributions the monarchy has and will make to the future of Spain. Our monarchy is a bargain and it is the fabric of what keeps the country together. This article is full of holes and bad journalism. Since when is the opinion of a few parliamentary discontents able to influence in such a large scale?

Gonzalo, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

One could argue that George W. Bush and so many US representatives and senators inherit their own position regardless of fitness to perform...

Your Mom, London, UK

The Royalty is not even a tourist attraction, it is pure parasitism. They live totally useless lives, protected by tradition and the awe they inspire in little shopgirls. If they had to earn their existence most of their problems would disappear.

Gabriela, New York, NY

Mr Quigley makes excellent points. What I am wondering is whether George Bush and the Spanish Crown Prince are really that different. Remember the Florida re-count - under Jeb Bush.

Angela, Durban, South Africa

Hi,

I'm a spanish republican. But I think that monarch until now is a valid institution, but not for a near future. The King are a common institution for the biggest spanish politics partys. But the public opinion are changing slowly ... and the people vote to le politics the King no vote.

I think that Felipe prince became to the trone but i'm sure that his doughter never will be queen.

Thanks and sorry for my english... ;)

jose luis de la mata, madrid, spain

You have to know what Spain is to make this opinion. Royalty can be an anachronism, but Republicanism does not have very good opinion in Spain. It always remind very bad days of the Spanish history, and the last one (II Republic) directly conducted to a Civil War. So, I would say, better to keep this way. Spain, as a latin country, is a hot blood country and exudes anger in each election. The last thing I will wish to my country is to elect the President of the III Republic. Moreover, internationally speaking, is much better to have King Juan Carlos as representative of my country than Mr. Zapatero.

Jesus Ruiz-Cabello, Madrid, Spain

If fitness to rule is an issue then we can hardly hold up democracy as a shining light. A side effect of a hereditary system is that people are trained to rule rather than getting to middle age and deciding they would quite like to rule.

Ben Devlin, London, UK

I'm an Spaniard, and you're absolutely right: we do support king JC I, rather than monarchy. I was too young when Franco died in 1975, but I know what he did to bring democracy to Spain, and for sure, to preserve it. So OK, for us it's pretty enough what JC I did. Now we enjoy a true democracy, now we are the 8th largest GDP in the world...we do thank him. But as Cervantes said: "One man is not more than other, if he doesn't do more than other". So now we wonder about what will happen after JC I. Princes of Asturias actually enjoy a truly lavish lifestyle: skiing in luxury resorts, sailing, sporty cars, royal parties across Europe ... and what they did to deserve this? Just because his name is Felipe de Borbón? I work hard everyday for the money, so I want more than a posh couple partying full time. And the same can be said in UK, Norway, Sweden, Holland... we want kings and queens to work for us, but I think we're working for them. It´s time to think about if it´s worth the money.

Vicente, Madrid, Spain

It is just another attempt of the Socialist regime to undermine the monarchy. The left has never agreed with the Parliamentary Monarchy system, as they feel themselves as the "heirs of the republican reds" of the Civil War. Of course, the opinion of the majority of the Spanish people who overwhelmingly think that King Juan Carlos is undoubitably worthy of his office, does not matter for Joan Tardá and his minoritary separatist party (which reppresents less than 3% of the voters) and others of his kind...

Joan Colom, Barcelona, Spain

As the article correctly points out, Spaniards have never been particularly fond of our Monarchs. Yes, King Juan Carlos played a crucial role in our transition towards a full democracy, but hopefully his son will never rule.

Marcos Ramirez, London, UK

Royalty is an anachronism in the 21st. century. The concept is anti-democracy where the head of state inherits the position regardless of fitness to perform. Call a monarchy what it really is - a profitable tourist attraction , but never the embodiment of democracy or meritocracy which it's supporters like to claim.

ciaran quigley, NEW YORK, USA