Marina Pina Madrid

Madrid

Updated Sunday, February 11, 2024-01:33

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Felipe VI faces a new challenge, this time of an internal nature. The departure of

Jaime Alfonsín

, head of the Royal House in the coming days, opens a stage of changes in the structure that supports the operation of Zarzuela. A new chapter that has begun with the departure of Alfonsín and the arrival, in the coming days, of

Camilo Villarino

as the new boss, who last Tuesday had a farewell lunch at the Spanish Embassy in Brussels.

This will not be, however, the last change in the internal structure of the Head of State since the names that have accompanied Don Felipe in the first decade of his reign will be replaced by others in the coming years. Except for the auditor, all the people who make up the organization chart of the House are over

60 years

of age.

There is no rule that sets the retirement age of the highest level staff of the House. However, in the

Royal Decree of April 26, 2022

on its restructuring, it is established that "the staff will carry out their functions subject to their Code of Conduct, which is made up of the general principles included in the royal decree and the action criteria that must be approved in its development. This norm wanted to introduce changes to the one approved by King Juan Carlos in

1988

, where it is stated that the House wants to be as similar as possible to the Public Administration. And in this regime, workers who are considered management personnel do not have an age limit to work.

The leadership is the position with the most responsibility within Zarzuela. The correct functioning of its services and the fulfillment of the powers that the

Constitution

entrusts to the highest institution of the State

depend on the person in charge .

A diplomatic advisor provides assistance to the leadership in the field of international relations. At this moment that figure is embodied by

Alfonso Sanz Portolés

, 69 years old. Members of the diplomatic career can be active until they are 71.

In addition, Felipe VI established in Royal Decree 297/2022 of April 26 that the position of diplomatic advisor should always be held by a member of the career. That is why Portolés will be replaced, when the time comes, by a colleague chosen by Camilo Villarino, also a diplomat.

In the aforementioned decree, "the competence of the Head of the House to assign functions to the personnel integrated into the General Secretariat, Military Quarter and Royal Guard" is expressly incorporated. A total of

139

officials work in the secretariat, which makes up a total of six departments.

Emilio Tomé de la Vega

, 70 years old, Infantry Brigadier General, is the director of the Planning and Coordination Cabinet, his work includes immediate support and collaboration in the fulfillment of assigned missions. He came to office after the proclamation of Felipe VI.

Cavalry soldier is

José Manuel Zuleta

, 63 years old, who took charge of the Queen's Secretariat in 2014. He carries out the study, preparation and execution of matters related to Doña Letizia's activities and has been at her side since the times when she was a princess, when he began to design her own agenda with her. Civil Guard Brigadier General

Miguel Herráiz

, 60, is permanently responsible for the immediate security of the Royal Family and has been in the House for 35 years.

Jaime Alfonsín chose

Jordi Gutiérrez

, 64, as head of Communication. This position is one of those that underwent the most changes in the last stage of Don Juan Carlos's reign. Gutiérrez has been at the forefront of communication policy for a decade.

His work is closely related to that of

Francisco de Lizaur

, 60 years old, head of Protocol since 2021. He and his team prepare and direct the protocol of the official activities of the Royal Family, both in national territory and abroad. Like Zuleta, Herráiz and Tomé de la Vega, he is a Cavalry soldier and in 2018 he obtained the job of colonel.

The same as the director of Administration, Infrastructure and Services,

Isaías Peral

, a 70-year-old Transmissions colonel, who carries out the economic-financial, budgetary and personnel management of the House. He directs and coordinates telecommunications and information systems services and coordinates the general maintenance services of the Palacio de la Zarzuela facilities. He is the only member of the organizational chart who has remained in his position since before the proclamation of Felipe VI. He was appointed to the position by Juan Carlos in 2006.

The relief of the Military Fourth will be more predictable. In 2020,

Emilio Gracia Cirujeda

, 65, was promoted to head of the Fourth. First assistant to the King, his department carries out the preparation of the military activities of the members of the Royal Family and maintains military relations with the authorities of the Ministry of Defense. Fighter pilot and division general since 2017, Gracia Cirujeda took office in 2020.

This team was formed by Alfonsín together with Felipe VI since 2014. Now, one of Villarino's missions when he joins the House will be to make the appropriate changes to be able to carry out his strategy within the Head of State. Whether the institution rigorously fulfills the powers provided for in the Constitution will depend on the election of his team.

imminent arrival

Official announcement.

A statement issued by Zarzuela at the end of January announced the change of the head of the Royal House. They said that Villarino would join throughout February. His arrival will be announced in the Official State Gazette. For now, Jaime Alfonsín was still at the helm this week.

New challenges.

Camilo Villarino arrives four months before the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of Felipe VI. He is a person known to the management of the House, as they have met on several trips.