The Spanish Royal Family has been blighted by scandal ever since Juan Carlos I resigned as King of Spain in 2014, leaving his son Felipe VI to takeover the throne. Since August, he has been living in self-exile following accusations he was involved in business deals in Saudi Arabia. The current king and his wife Queen Letizia are proving to be more popular, especially with Letizia impressing fans with her impeccable style.
But Felipe González, who was President of Spain from 1982 to 1996, added this may not be enough to save the monarchy.
He also warned changing the Royal Family would have a catastrophic impact on Spain.
He told ABC Spain: “Changing the monarchy we have today for the Republic system that Vice President Pablo Iglesias wants would destroy Spain”
He added Vice President Pablo Iglesias’ recent comments over modernising the royals “the seed of self-destruction” of Spain.
He said: “I am radically against that, and with what I have left of strength, with my age and the future, I will fight it.
Mr González added that some were critical of the Royal Family only because “they want to replace it” rather than abolish it altogether.
In 2018, Iñaki Urdangarin, the husband of Letizia’s sister-in-law Infanta Cristina, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison in another scandal to hit the royals.
He was found guilty of embezzling public funds through non-profit organisations.
READ MORE: Queen Letizia warning: Daughter Princess Leonor handed stark warning
This is because many of the Queens before her were not born in the country.
Letizia has also focused her efforts on education and children’s rights in a bid to boost her family’s image.
But Spanish reporter Maria Rosa Calaf warned she should be known more her work instead of the scandals.
Speaking to El Pais, she said: “She has done what she could and then she threw in the towel, because in the current structure, which is obsolete, it is difficult.
“What irritates me is that a good asset has been wasted and the possibility that she became a reference, not only in fashion, but as a woman.
“Im the end, she is a character reduced to the private sphere and to the typical role of care assigned to women.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.
