The royals revel in weeekend regatta

The Spanish and Norwegian royals have been enjoying the start of their summer holidays in Majorca with plenty of sunshine and sailing. The Duchess of Palma, the Infanta Christina, was the only Spanish royal who competed in the Breitling regatta in Portals, but her crew came second in the overall standings, while neither Prince Felipe was able to defend his title nor King Juan Carlos competed because of the crisis with Morocco, which is now solved and means that the King and heir can get on with the summer break and race in the Copa del Rey which starts this weekend at the Real Club Nautico in Palma. King Harald of Norway was not going to miss a final warm up for the Copa del Rey and was joined by his recently wed daughter Princess Marta Luisa. The Duke of Palma, Iñaki Urdangarín, the two royal grandchildren Pablo Nicolás and Juan Valentín watched the Duchess race accompanied by Queen Sofia from the comfort of the royal launch ”Llamp.” The winner of this year's Breitling-Illes Balears regatta was the yacht “Banco Espírito Santo” with Laureano Wizner at the helm. King Juan Carlos is expected to arrive in Majorca any day this week in order to prepare for the Copa del Rey. The royal party, which also include Urdangarín's parents Juan María Urdangarín and Claire Liebaert, spent much of yesterday out at sea on board the royal yacht “Fortuna”. Apart from royal faces, the Copa del Rey is expected to attract the usual gathering of famous personalities and Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, unable to attend the Breitling, will be in Palma to support his brother racing on board the Banderas-owned yacht “Tau Cerámica” which came fourth overall in the Breitling.