Education of a King

At Madrid's Delicias Station one morning last week, a thousand ardent Spanish monarchists shouted a lusty welcome to 17-year-old Prince Juan Carlos de Bourbon, who arrived from Lisbon after spending a vacation with his exiled father, Pretender Don Juan. The train was ceremoniously brought into the station by the Count of Alcubierre, an amateur engine driver, while dukes and marquesas cried "Viva el Rey." Stern Franco police made no effort to interfere. The demonstration was enthusiastic but possibly a little premature: as Franco now sees it, 13 years must elapse before Prince Juan can become king (TIME, Jan. 10).

Leaning from the blue and gilt private car, the smiling, curly-haired young prince acknowledged his welcome. Behind him, whispering a word in his ear from time to time, was a short, leathery man in the olive uniform of the Spanish army. He was Lieut. General Carlos Martinez de Campos y Serrano. Duque de la Torre, the guardian chosen by Franco and Don Juan to guide the prince over the long and narrow path to kingship.

Up to Work. Prince and general drove together to the palace of the Duque de Montellano, a drab pile of masonry on the Paseo de la Castellana near the U.S. consulate, which is to be the prince's new home. In a reception room, a score of privileged grandees and their wives waited with half a dozen of Juan's former high school classmates. The prince shook hands all round. Said General Martinez de Campos, taking the prince by the arm and leading him to the center of the room: "Now, if Your Royal Highness pleases, we will get to work." The prince went upstairs to meet his tutors.

Study, Study & Sleep. Next morning, up and through breakfast by 9, the prince began a strict schedule which will occupy his weekday life for the next six or seven months. Every morning he will take two lessons in mathematics, one gymnastic lesson and one long lesson in classics. After lunch he rests briefly, then goes to Madrid's Club de Campo (a businessman's club, so that he can mingle with other than bluebloods). where he spends the next two hours in princely recreation, mostly horseback riding, but also golf and tennis. Late in the afternoon he returns to Montellano Palace for further study in history and languages, stops in time to change and have a breathing spell before dinner. After dinner there is reading, homework and sleep.

At week's end, disturbed by "malicious speculation" abroad about the monarchy, Dictator Franco issued an interview in the Falangist Arriba, reassuring his Fascist supporters that in thinking about restoration of the monarchy he does not have in mind a "liberal or parliamentary" monarchy, but one which will "incarnate the principles of unity and authority" held by those "of the Catholic confession." Being a King of Spain never was a comfortable job.

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