SPANISH THRONE

Southland Times, Issue 22042, 15 June 1933, Page 7

SPANISH THRONE

PRINCE PINOUNCES RIGHTS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, June 13. It is stated that the Prince of the Asturias, at the instigation of the Duke of Miranda, has renounced his rights to Spanish succession. The title reverts to Don Jaime. It was reported last week that banns had been posted in the Lausanne Town Hall for a marriage between the Infante Don Jaime, the 24-year-old son of exKing Alfonso of Spain, and a Cuban girl, Senorita de San Pedro. Spanish Court circles at Fontainebleau were much surprised, and ex-Queen Ena was much perturbed at her son’s decision to marry without the consent of his father, who is at present in Rome. As the ex-King’s approval is essential to the marriage of all his direct descendants, possibly Don Jaime’s decision will involve the sacrifice of his Royal rights. An article in a New York paper some time ago stated: Alfonso of Spain is taking no chances with his heir-appar-ent. This, apparently, is the reason why he recently forbade his second son, Don Jaime, to marry the Spanish girl of his choice. Due to the chronic illness of Alfonso’s eldest son, the Prince of the Asturias, Don Jaime is thought to be slated for succession should his father ever regain his throne. He must therefore form no E'cret matrimonial alliances with unknown Spanish girls. With determination worthy of a king, rather than a probably permanent ex-king, Alfonso cancelled the nuptial arrangements and instructed Don Jaime to send regrets. The fiery-eyed, speed-loving Spanish ex-ruler, clinging to his slim hope of restoration, becomes doubly a tragic figure if you consider how the fates have conspired with the Spanish people to thwart him. His eldest son and natural successor suffers from haemophilia. the mysterious, incurable “bleeding” disease which has appeared in other European royal houses and which seldom allows its victims to live to adult age. Generally it occurs in males, but is transmitted through the women of an afficted family, and for this reason, it has been, reported, Alfonso has had to abandon the possibility of making advantageous marriages for his two daughters. Even the 23-year-old Don Jaime, whose future Alfonso is so zealously safeguarding, was a deaf mute until he was successfully operated on a few years ago. If these are thin times for royalty, Nature is helping to make them thin.