King Felipe
He dismisses the head of the Spanish royal family
Princess Leonor, Queen Letizia and King Felipe
© Dana Press
The Spanish royal family is changing its leadership after three decades: King Felipe has dismissed Jaime Alfonsín. The new head of administration is the current head of cabinet under Josep Borrell in the European Union.
King Felipe, 55, ushers in a new era: After 30 years of service, Regent Jaime Alfonsín, 67, dismisses the head of administration of the Spanish royal family. According to Spanish media, the Zarzuela Palace announced the drastic step in a statement on Friday, January 19, 2024. Accordingly, career diplomat Camilo Villarino Marzo will fill the open position in February of this year.
King Felipe dismisses the head of the royal family
Jaime Alfonsín had been the shadow of King Felipe since 1995, when he joined the former Prince of Asturias as head of the secretariat. After Juan Carlos’ 86, abdication and Felipe’s proclamation as the new monarch of Spain in 2014, Alfonsín was appointed head of administration of the royal family. This era is now over. According to the Spanish online media “Vanitatis” and “elDiario”, the regent has dismissed his right-hand man after a good three decades.
Jaime Alfonsín was King Felipe’s shadow for 30 years – until now.
© Dana Press
Jaime Alfonsín remains Felipe’s “private advisor”
Reasons for this are not given. In its statement, the Palace rather reminds that Jaime Alfonsín spent a large part of his professional career in the service of Felipe. There is unlikely to have been any bad blood because Alfonsín will continue to work as King Felipe’s unpaid “private advisor”. The Regent wants to be able to “count on his valuable and loyal advice” in the future.
Camilo Villarino Marzo becomes the new head of the royal family
His successor Camilo Villarino Marzo is currently working in the EU as head of the cabinet of Josep Borrell, 76, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
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There he is responsible for the overall strategic coordination of policy and management of the Cabinet, interinstitutional relations, the European Council, the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) and the Group of Commissioners for a Stronger Europe.
Sources used: vanitatis.elconfidencial.com, eldiario.es, commissioners.ec.europa.eu