The Spanish monarchy is a subject of significant divide within Spanish society. Indeed, the royal family raises many questions from a historical, political, and economic point of view. On one hand, some view the royal family as a cornerstone of national unity and a symbol of continuity. On the other hand, others perceive it as an outdated institution, overshadowed by modern values and democratic principles. Therefore, these divisions within Spanish society, that echo throughout Europe, fuel debates about the role that monarchies should play in an ever-evolving society.
To understand the ongoing debate, it is essential to remember the historical role of the monarchy in Spain. For centuries, monarchies were core acts in Spanish history, orchestrating colonial expansion, wars, and transformation of the country. However, the 20th century marked an important turning point with the abolishment of the monarchy and the introduction of the Second Republic in 1931. Then, Spain entered a Civil War from 1936 to 1939, led by Fransisco Franco’s dictatorship.
Before his death, Francisco Franco decided to restore the monarchy by appointing Juan Carlos de Borbón as his successor. Surprisingly, Juan Carlos, instead of aligning himself with the Francoist legacy, chose to become a key figure in the country's democratic transition. In fact , his role in the legalisation of political parties, the adoption of the constitution in 1978, and his intervention to avoid a potential coup d’etat in 1981, earned him national and international admiration. Nevertheless, this time of glory was quickly replaced by a period of scandals. The glorious image of Juan Carlos was stained by accusations of corruption, tax evasion, and sumptuary spending. In 2014, he abdicated and since then, his son Felipe VI has strived to restore the monarchy's credibility.
One of the main arguments in favour of monarchy is its role in national unity. In other words, Spain is a real mosaic of regions, with diverse cultural, historical, as well as linguistic identities. Indeed, there are autonomous communities, such as Catalonia and the Basque Country, that maintain a delicate relationship with the central government, often fighting for their independence. For monarchy partisans, the royal family is a symbol of continuity and transcends regional divisions. The royals embody the nation and the king is perceived as a neutral figure, able to represent all Spanish citizens.
However, this vision seems far from unanimous. In some regions, such as Catalogn, monarchy is often viewed as an instrument of Madrid centrism. The Catalan crisis in 2017, has underlined this gap, where Catalogna organized an illegal referendum on their independence. In response, Felipe VI declared the radical condemnation of the independentist leader, aiming to reaffirm the unity of Spain. On the one hand, his speech has been recognised and seen as necessary for some. On the other hand, many critics, such as the Catalans, have surfaced, reproaching the king for adopting a more conciliatory posture.
One should note that divisions around monarchy are not limited to regional questions. It also reflects a generational and ideological gap. Truly, the young generation seems to be more sceptic, perceiving this institution as anarchic and incompatible with the values of modern democracy. Moreover, this distance has been fuelled by scandals concerning Juan Carlos, and other members of the royal family. For example, the brother-in-law of Felipe VI, Iñaki Urdangarin, was condemned for embezzlement of public funds.
In that context, Felipe VI implemented many reforms aimed at modernizing the monarchy. For instance, he renounced the financial heritage of his father and committed himself to increasing the financial transparency of the royal family, as well as showing the image of a king close to the concerns of his citizens. Unfortunately, these kinds of efforts failed to convince an increasing part of the population, which prefer to imagine a republican Spain.
Royal Palace of Madrid, by Jade Thiebaut from iPhone (2024)
To take a step back and have a broader sense of this division, one should note that the discussion surrounding Spain’s royal family is part of a larger European dialogue about constitutional monarchy. In the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and even Sweden, the royal families play a similar symbolic role and are not immune to criticism either. Indeed, the monarchies face criticism of costs, and their relevance in our modern societies is questioned. Spain, however, stands out as a unique case. Unlike the royal families of countries like The Netherlands or Sweden, which enjoy broad consensus as cultural institutions, Spain's monarchy faces more pronounced regional and historical critics.
To survive within a mutated country, a monarchy, such as the Spanish one, will have to continue to evolve. Although transparency should be kept as one of the main red lines, meeting the aspirations of a society that is increasingly demanding in terms of democracy, social justice, and cultural diversity, is also a challenge. Felipe VI will be determining. To maintain the monarchy's relevance, Felipe VI must continually navigate the delicate task of reconciling the country's diverse regions and generations, convincing them that the monarchy can be an unifying force in Spain's multicultural society.
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