Podcast Summary: "Acontece que no es poco | Muere Carlos III, el rey del postureo"

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (Co-host: Rafa)
Date: December 14, 2023
Episode Focus: The death and legacy of Carlos III, painted through Nieves Concostrina’s irreverent and witty historical lens.

Main Theme

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina explores the life, death, and mythos of Carlos III of Spain, humorously labeling him "el rey del postureo" (the king of posturing). With her characteristic blend of anecdote and critical history, Concostrina peels away the image and marketing that have surrounded Carlos III, questioning his true achievements and legacy, and describes in vivid detail the ritual and paradoxes that surrounded his passing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Quick Clarification (00:05 – 01:22)

• Correction from Previous Episode:
  Nieves rectifies a mix-up about Marian Anderson singing on the Lincoln Memorial steps, mistakenly associating them with the stairs from "Rocky." She self-deprecatingly blames this on "memoria mala" and notes, “cada vez que veo unas escaleras largas, veo a Rocky subiendo por ellas” (Every time I see a long stairway, I see Rocky going up them) (00:23).

2. Carlos III, “The King of Posturing” (01:22 – 03:52)

• Fame vs. Reality:
  Carlos III enjoys a positive legacy largely due to strong "marketing," despite not actually embodying the enlightenment or reformist ideals ascribed to him.
• Paradoxes of Carlos III:
  • “El mejor alcalde de Madrid” (the best mayor of Madrid), but only spent 8 weeks a year there.
  • Labeled an "enlightened king," yet “nunca leyó un libro” (he never read a book).
  • Seen as deeply religious, though he expelled the Jesuits.
  • Called a reformist in Naples, but retreated at any aristocratic protest.
• Summary: “El caso de Carlos III es que pertenece a una dinastía tal desastrosa que entre todos los peores es el menos malo.” (Carlos III belongs to such a disastrous dynasty that, among all the worst, he is the least bad.) (03:20).

3. The Death of Carlos III (03:52 – 06:04)

• Cause of Death:
  Officially, Carlos III died of "natural causes." The certificate, written by the Count of Floridablanca, read: “Cadáver de muerte natural sin señal alguna de viviente. Qué bonito.” (Corpse of natural death, without any sign of life. How lovely.) (04:03).
• Contemporary Echo:
  Nieves humorously notes that, just as with British royalty, sometimes the explanation is simply "old age."
• Psychiatric Gossip:
  Reference to the infamous ultranationalist psychiatrist Antonio Vallejo Nájera, who bizarrely called Carlos III a “psicópata epileptoide,” but Concostrina dismisses this as pseudo-science. (05:12)

4. The Final Hours and Deathbed Rituals (06:09 – 10:09)

• Exhibition Insights:
  At a 2016 Palacio Real exhibition, Carlos III’s deathbed was displayed. On it, he reportedly told his secretary, Count of Floridablanca:

  “¿Qué creías que había yo de ser eterno?”
  (What did you think, that I was going to be eternal?) (06:30)

• Superstitions at Death’s Door:
  Carlos III requested relics of saints to be brought to his bedside for a "spiritual boost"—though Nieves points out the likely falseness of all relics.

  • “Todos los despojos son mentiras, son inventados.” (All the relics are fake, they’re invented.) (08:09)

• His Final Words:

  “He hecho el papel de rey y se acabó para mí esta comedia.”
  (I have played the part of a king, and for me, this comedy is over.) (09:02)

5. Confirmation of Death: Protocols and Pageantry (10:09 – 12:07)

• Verifying the King’s Death:
  • The Secretary of State, Floridablanca, shouts “Señor, señor, señor” (Sir, sir, sir) at the king’s body, checks for breath with a mirror, then certifies Carlos III’s death — a new funeral protocol at that time.
• Display to the Public:
  The king’s body is exhibited to the masses, with Carlos III pioneering the use of the "imperial bed" as a funerary display open to all classes and both sexes.
• Lack of Embalming:
  Carlos III declined embalming, officially "por humildad," but Concostrina opines it was more likely due to fear of being opened up post-mortem (11:55).

6. Burial at El Escorial (12:07 – 12:38)

• Ceremonial Transfer:
  The body is taken to "el pudridero del Escorial," following the procedure imported from French Bourbon tradition, including the breaking of the captain’s staff over the body (twice!).
• Notable Quote:
  “Ya comprobamos que el jefe de la guardia no ganaba para bastones de mano.” (We see that the chief of the guard couldn’t afford more canes.) (12:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Carlos III’s Paradoxes:
  “Mucha gente se cree que es un rey ilustrado, pero nunca leyó un libro.” (Many people believe he was an enlightened king, but he never read a book.) (02:14)

• On Superstitious Rituals:
  “Todos los despojos son mentiras, son inventados.” (All the relics are fake, they’re invented.) (08:09)

• Carlos III’s Final Reflection:
  “He hecho el papel de rey y se acabó para mí esta comedia.” (I have played the part of a king, and for me, this comedy is over.) (09:02)

• On Royal Death Certification:
  “Señor, señor, señor.” Shouted thrice to verify the king’s death before writing the death certificate. (10:09)

• On Spanish Monarchy’s Peculiarity:
  “Hace 138 años que no se muere un rey reinando. Esto sólo pasa en España.” (It’s been 138 years since a reigning king died in Spain. Only in Spain.) (11:14)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Correction from previous episode: 00:07 – 01:22
• Carlos III’s paradoxes & reputation: 01:22 – 03:52
• Discussion on cause of death and psychiatric rumors: 03:52 – 06:04
• Final hours, rituals, and superstitions: 06:09 – 10:09
• Verification of death, funeral display, and protocols: 10:09 – 12:07
• Burial and Bourbon rituals at El Escorial: 12:07 – 12:38

Closing Thoughts

Concostrina playfully deconstructs the legendary status of Carlos III, exposing myth against the reality of a king defined more by good image than genuine reform or enlightenment. The episode offers both humorous anecdote and sharp historical critique, making the complexity and spectacle of royal death rituals accessible to all listeners.

Final wish from Nieves:

“Mi mayor deseo, sin embargo, es que nunca más vuelva a morirse un rey o reina de España.”
(My greatest wish, however, is that never again a king or queen of Spain should die.) (11:47)