MOSCOW, June 19 (RIA Novosti) – Coronation ceremony of 46-year-old Felipe VI and his wife Letizia Ortiz will start in Madrid at 9:30 a.m. (07:30 GMT) and will herald a new historical era in Spain.
During almost forty years of reign of the previous monarch, Juan Carlos I, a whole generation grew up without knowing dictatorship and wondering why today’s Spain needs a monarchy at all. The coronation takes place when monarchy’s approval rating is at a historic low.
In current situation a change of generations is absolutely essential. This was acknowledged by the outgoing monarch, who abdicated in favor of his son on June 2, stating that “new generation must be at the forefront.”
According to opinion polls, Felipe VI, the first Spanish king with a university degree, is further ahead than any other Spanish royal family member. Seventy percent of population supports him as the head of the country and believes that the new king is well-prepared to execute his duties.
Before becoming king, Felipe, starting from 1996, took part in more than 300 official acts. All his education pursued one objective, to make a professional monarch out of him. The preparations were particularly intensive during the last two years. ”My son personifies maturity and stability. He’s better prepared for his role than any of his predecessors,” Juan Carlos I stated recently.
The previous king, associated with Spain’s bloodless transition from dictatorship to democracy and EU membership, will not take part in the coronation ceremony. As Spanish media reported this is intended to distance the new monarch from his predecessor, whose popularity was rapidly decreasing from the start of the economic crisis. The reason for this was corruption scandal around princess Cristina and her husband, businessman and former sportsman Inaki Urdangarin.
The ceremony will be very low-key, without excessive pomp. After the coronation the new royal couple will drive around Madrid to the royal palace for the official reception.
There will be unprecedented security measures at the coronation ceremony. Air space above the city will be closed to avoid a rocket or a drone attack. 120 snipers will be placed on the roofs, about 5,000 to 7,000 police will patrol the streets and prevent any unsanctioned protests. Spanish Interior Ministry banned any mass protests during the ceremony. The Mayor of Madrid Ana Botella asked the residents to hang out flags in the streets.
