Couronnement: Felipe VI devient roi d’Espagne ce mercredi à minuit

Felipe de Bourbon, nouveau chef d'Etat et des Armées, recevra
jeudi matin 19 juin, des mains de son père la ceinture de soie
rouge de capitaine général des Armées. (18 juin 2014)

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Felipe de Bourbon va prêter serment jeudi devant les députés et sénateurs, lors d'une journée alliant sobriété et proximité avec les citoyens. C'est déjà à minuit, dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi, qu'il doit devenir roi.

Car son père, Juan Carlos, aura déjà signé la loi autorisant son abdication, votée successivement par les deux chambres du Parlement. Elle sera dans la foulée publiée au Journal officiel.

Quelques heures plus tôt, l'actuel roi aura promulgué cette loi, dans le décor solennel de la Salle des Colonnes du Palais royal de Madrid, lors d'une cérémonie en présence de 160 invités. » | afp/Newsnet | mercredi 18 juin 2014

King Juan Carlos: 'I Don't Want My Son to Grow Old Waiting Like Prince Charles'

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Spanish monarch reportedly expressed a desire to hand the throne to heir while Prince Felipe was still a young man to stop him "withering" like Prince Charles

King Juan Carlos told courtiers that he wanted to abdicate in favour of his son because he did not want his heir to “grow old waiting for the throne like Prince Charles”.

The 76-year-old monarch, who announced last Monday that it was time for “a younger generation to step into the front line,” is said to have been influenced in his decision to abdicate by the situation of the Prince of Wales, who at 65 is the oldest heir to the British throne for 300 years.

It emerged on Sunday that King Juan Carlos had privately told those close to him that he felt it was right to pass the throne on while his heir was still a young man.

“I do not want my son to wither waiting like Prince Charles,” he reportedly told Rafael Spottorno, chief of the royal household, according to a report in Spain’s daily El Mundo newspaper. » | Fiona Govan, Madrid and Matthew Holehouse | Sunday, June 08, 2014

Prince Felipe Promises to Serve Spain 'With All My Strength'

Spanish Crown Prince Felipe, left, with his wife at the presentation
of the Prince of Viana prize for culture

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: In his first comments since King Juan Carlos announced his abdication on Monday, Prince Felipe, the future king, has vowed to take on "the challenges ahead" with gusto

Prince Felipe, the next king of Spain, has pledged to serve his country "with all my strength" when he takes over on June 18.

In his first public comments since his father, King Juan Carlos, announced his abdication 48 hours ago, the prince said he was looking forward to serving "our beloved Spain."

"My first words will be used to pledge all my strength and conviction in dedicating myself with hope and enthusiasm to serving our beloved Spain," he said, speaking at the presentation of the Prince of Viana prize for culture.

With his wife Princess Letizia by his side, he described Spain as "a united and diverse" community, and praised the tenacity of its citizens. » | Harriet Alexander | Wednesday, June 04, 2014