Todo Concostrina – "El oneroso regreso a Borbonia de los borbones muertos"

Host: Nieves Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Date: April 30, 2024

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina tackles with her well-known sardonic wit the expensive, little-discussed tradition of repatriating deceased members of the Borbón (Bourbon) royal dynasty back to Spain. She examines the historical and financial ramifications of this enduring royal custom, focusing on the lack of transparency, uses of public money, and the performative aspects of these returns. Concostrina’s central critique revolves around how the Spanish people have long footed the bill for these royal returns, often for figures expelled due to corruption, and with no public say on the matter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Defining Royal "Addiction” ([00:18])

• The show opens with the pondering of "addiction"—not to substances, but a tongue-in-cheek “addiction” to the Borbones.
• Notable Quote:

  "¿Puede existir ... la adicción a los Borbones, por ejemplo? La respuesta es sí." – Host (B) [00:39]

• Concostrina dubs herself the “aficionada mayor de esta dinastía” (the dynasty’s chief fan), referencing her compulsive curiosity about the family ([01:04]).

2. The Boomerang Lineage ([01:12])

• She brands the modern Bourbons as the “estirpe boomerang”—no matter how far they’re thrown, they come back, "not because Spaniards ask, but because someone arranges their return."

3. Who and How Many: The Cost of Bringing Borbones Back ([02:30])

• The focus is narrowed to ten "Borbones de primera línea" (first-line Bourbons: kings and their direct children) who died in exile and were later returned to Spain.
• Notable Quote:

  "No tengo pruebas ni datos de lo que nos ha costado a los españoles traer de vuelta diez Borbones corruptos. Porque la casa de su Majestad el rey es opaca y oscura." – Nieves Concostrina [02:49]

• The lack of fiscal transparency is criticized, as is the misleading implication that royal costs are minimal.

4. Historical Anecdotes: Specific Repatriations ([04:08])

a. María Cristina de Borbón ([04:26])

• Inaugurated the "most corrupt period" of Spanish history; died in France in luxury, intended to be buried with her second (also exiled) husband Fernando Muñoz.
• Instead, her remains were brought to El Escorial on the order of her grandson, Alfonso XII, with extravagant ceremony charged to public funds.

b. Francisco de Asís ([06:45])

• Another “return”; died in Paris, returned to El Escorial at the state's expense.

c. Isabel II and the Discretion of Royal Descendants ([06:36])

• Alfonso XIII and Alfonso XII both avoided public association with these funerals, attempting to distance themselves from corrupt predecessors.

5. The Alfonso XIII Spectacle ([08:00])

• Alfonso XIII’s return (1980): A major public relations event orchestrated by Juan Carlos I during the Spanish Transition.
• Details of costly ceremonies, media spectacle, and behind-the-scenes oddities:
  • Notable Quote:

    "El espectáculo gordo fue con Alfonso XIII en 1980, en la guay transición... Era el regreso de la corrupción. Era como gritar a los cuatro vientos 'Hemos vuelto, idiotas, que no aprendéis, estamos aquí otra vez'." – Concostrina [09:12]

  • The king insisted Alfonso XIII go straight to the Royal Crypt without "pudridero" (decay preparatory period), resulting in an awkward, confirmed episode:
    • Memorable Moment:

      "...doblar en cuatro al rey, porque eso es lo que hubo que hacer, meter a Alfonso XIII doblado y a empujones en el sarcófago de la cripta." – Concostrina [10:10]

6. Further Royal Returns (1985 and 1990s) ([11:19])

• Subsequent major returns under Juan Carlos I's orders:
  • 1985:
    • Victoria Eugenia (queen and wife of Alfonso XIII) from Switzerland
    • Jaime de Borbón
    • Alfonso de Borbón from Miami, previously set to be Alfonso XIV
    • Gonzalo de Borbón from Austria
  • All returned at high cost; less public fanfare for some, with some remains directed straight to the "pudridero".
• 1991–1992:
  • Princess ('La Chata') Isabel, daughter of Isabel II, repatriated to La Granja (her preferred burial place).
  • Alfonso, the brother of Juan Carlos, killed accidentally by him, transferred from Cascais, Portugal (1992).

7. A Pattern of Royal Caprice & Lack of Accountability ([13:56])

• The host scathingly observes:
  • Notable Quote:

    "Aquí estamos los súbditos para que a los Borbones se les cumplan sus caprichos, cueste lo que cueste." – Concostrina [14:14]

• The tradition of royal wishes being fulfilled at public expense, regardless of circumstance or popular will.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• [01:12] – "Siempre me refiero a los últimos Borbones como la estirpe boomerang. Porque por muy lejos que los lances, siempre vuelven."
• [02:49] – "La casa de su Majestad el rey es opaca y oscura."
• [09:12] – "Era el regreso de la corrupción. Era como gritar a los cuatro vientos 'Hemos vuelto, idiotas, que no aprendéis, estamos aquí otra vez'."
• [10:10] – "Doblar en cuatro al rey... meter a Alfonso XIII doblado y a empujones en el sarcófago."
• [14:14] – "Aquí estamos los súbditos para que a los Borbones se les cumplan sus caprichos, cueste lo que cueste."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18–01:12 – Opener, royal "addiction", tone setting
• 01:12–03:45 – "Estirpe boomerang", who gets repatriated, costs and lack of transparency
• 04:26–06:36 – Story of María Cristina de Borbón’s return
• 06:36–09:00 – Francisco de Asís, royal avoidance, costly funerals
• 09:00–10:35 – Alfonso XIII’s 1980 spectacle, media complicity, royal demands
• 11:19–12:33 – Returns of Victoria Eugenia, Jaime, Alfonso, and Gonzalo (1985)
• 12:40–13:56 – Alfonso, brother of Juan Carlos, and Princess Isabel ('La Chata')
• 14:14 – Scathing summary on public expense and royal caprice

Tone and Style

Concostrina maintains her signature irreverent, incisive, and humorous style throughout. She mixes historical detail with biting commentary, skeptical of monarchy and official narratives. The mood remains critical, sardonic, and openly concerned about historical memory, public money, and royal privilege.

Final Words

Through storytelling, humor, and a sharp critical edge, Nieves Concostrina exposes how the Spanish people have continually borne the cost of returning Borbones, critiquing both the pageantry and the systemic secrecy with which these state expenses are managed—raising enduring questions about monarchy, memory, and who foots the bill.