The Spanish royal family has now got a political party that represents it. Or, at least, which represents some of its members. Vox has burst onto the Spanish political scene to drag it over towards the far right; both PP and Cs seem to be shifting away from the centre, at least partially in response. Among those seen in the orbit of the new force at Froilán and Victoria Federica, the nephew and niece of king Felipe VI.
Photo: GTRES
Froilán (4th in line to the throne) was seen at the right-wing rally in Madrid a few weeks ago; Victoria (5th in line) was reported to have been at an event Vox held in a Madrid club with hundreds of other excitable young people. Video posted on Instagram by party head Santiago Abascal gives a view of that evening: everything red and yellow, a sing-a-long to the lyric-less Spanish anthem, then a resounding "Viva España!".
Now, however, the monarch is reportedly concerned about "what they'll say". The royal family would like at least an image of neutrality. According to Jaleos, Felipe has tried to nip in the bud any further public political acts or comments from his sister's children. Sources tell the newspaper that "it's scandalous, because they have members of security from the royal household, paid for by all Spaniards and not all Spaniards are right-wing". Is there any Spaniard who thinks the family leans left?
Photo: GTRES
When it comes to silencing the family, Letizia is reportedly not left behind. When her niece, the daughter of her late sister, turned 18, she reportedly had her sign a contract to not discuss her cousins: Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.