Sofia expects little change after Juan Carlos' abdication

Queen Sofia of Spain believes that her life will not change very much in the wake of the decision by her husband Juan Carlos to abdicate in favor of Prince Felipe, the heir to the throne.
Juan Carlos' decision, which was announced on Monday, shocked Spain, although the government moved quickly to put the machinery of succession into operation and everything points to Felipe being proclaimed Felipe VI on June 18.
The Spanish cabinet approved a law on Tuesday to clear the way for Felipe's succession. That law also dealt with the figure of Juan Carlos and his family. It was decided that he and Sofia will maintain their royal status, but that his daughters, the Infantas Elena and Cristana, will lose that status.
Speaking in New York, Queen Sofia said: "Felipe knows everything that is going on," adding there was "no problem with the change."
After Juan Carlos' decision to abdicate, Monday saw tens of thousands of people demonstrate in favor of a becoming a republic in the central squares of Spain's main cities.
The United Left (Izquierda Unida) party will present a motion in the Senate requesting a referendum to allow the people to decide if they want a republic or a monarchy.
Meanwhile, Prince Felipe will on Wednesday make his first speech since his father's decision became known when he addresses an audience at the Prince of Viana Awards in the region of Navarra.