The Hindu : International : An extravaganza few complained about

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 23, 2004

International

International

An extravaganza few complained about

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS, MAY 22. For the first time since the horror of the March 11 train bombings in Madrid that claimed nearly 200 lives and left over 1500 people injured, Spaniards celebrated openly and without guilt. Thousands of people came out in pouring rain to witness the wedding of Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne, and his commoner-divorcee-journalist bride, Letizia Oritz.

The Royal family has always been popular with the people of Spain. Since 1975, King Juan Carlos has commanded tremendous respect as the saviour of Spain's fledgling parliamentary democracy, when he foiled an attempted coup d'etat following the death of the dictator General Franco. He has since chosen to abolish the court and has acted as the guarantor of Spain's democratic constitution.

The royal couple's phenomenal popularity increased manifold last March when the King and the Queen mingled freely with the crowds, kissing, comforting and weeping with the families of those affected by the bombings.

In a sumptuous extravaganza, few in Spain were complaining about the expense. A heavy downpour drenched people lining the streets to see the royal cortege as it made its way to Madrid's Almudena cathedral. But the inclement weather and the blanket security did not appear to dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands waiting to wish the young prince and his bride. ``They have done so much for us. It is right that we share their joy,'' said Rosaria Ramos, a school teacher.

Several giant television screens had been installed in the city centre and in numerous suburbs to enable those who braved the rain to have a proper view of the proceedings in the nearby cathedral.

Because of the March 11 bombings, Madrid has been placed under a web of tight security with an estimated 18,000 policemen deployed in the capital, with 200 snipers positioned on rooftops. The ceremony, estimated to cost a staggering 21 million euros ($25 million), has left anti-monarchists angry and grumbling.

The bride and the groom left the cathedral in an armour-plated 1952 Rolls Royce Phantom, from which they waved to bystanders, who in turn waved the 180,000 red, yellow and silver fans distributed by the city authorities.

The guests then headed for a fantastic banquet at which they could taste the best Spain had to offer by way of food and drink.

The Spanish monarchy has distinguished itself from other European blue bloods in that all the royal children have been through university and acquired professional qualifications. Guests at the wedding included not just other royals but respected political and cultural personalities such as former South African and Czech Presidents Nelson Mandela and Vaclav Havel, World Bank chief James Wolfenson tenor Placido Domingo as well as 30 heads of state and government.

Letizia Ortiz, born into a middle class family — her father is a journalist, her mother a nurse — is a far cry from what most would expect from a future queen.

But her no nonsense approach to royalty and simple, direct views on life have won over most hearts.

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