ROYAL FAMILY MARK 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPAIN´S CONSTITUCIÓN

30 The Royal Family turned up in force at Parliament in Madrid on Saturday to mark the 25th anniversary of Spain's constitution. The high note of the ceremony was the King's spirited defence of a constitution which he said belonged to all Spaniards and not to any particular region or group. He was referring to the Basque Country and Catalunia, where nationalists are urging reforms that would give their autonomous communities more freedom to act independently of the central government in Madrid. A poll taken a few days before the anniversary showed that almost 70% of the population would accept reforms to the constitution, which a majority said they were satisfied with. However, on the issue of more self-determination for the autonomous communities, 70% of those polled agreed with the King and said any reforms would have to be voted in by all Spaniards and not just the people living in the regions concerned. The other highlight of the ceremony was the first appearance at an official act by Prince Felipe's fiancée, Leticia Ortiz, who has not been seen since he formally requested her hand. Doña Leticia filed into Parliament with the rest of the Royal family but was seated in the area reserved for guests with her two future brothers-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarín and Jaime de Marichalar, husbands of her fiancés two sisters, the Infantas Elena and Cristina. Royalty watchers were pleased to note that she was wearing a skirt, also for the first time in public since her engagement to the Prince was announced.