Future king of Spain, fiancee searched at Miami airport

[kskiska]

The Spanish Royal Family are best buddies with the Bush family. Poppy goes hunting with the King.

MIAMI (AP) — A routine security check at Miami International Airport turned into a diplomatic flap when the unhappy subjects of the search turned out to be the future king of Spain and his fiancee.

The couple and four bodyguards were connecting onto a commercial airliner in Miami after arriving from the Bahamas in a chartered jet, The Miami Herald reported for Saturday's editions.

But before boarding their Iberia Airlines flight to Madrid on Thursday, Crown Prince Felipe, Spanish television anchorwoman Letizia Ortiz and their entourage had to pass through a security check.

"The prince and his bodyguard felt they should not be subjected to the screening, but if they do not have an escort from the State Department or the Secret Service, it is required," said Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lauren Stover. "It's the law."

(snip)

That same day, Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas sent the royal family a letter of apology about what he called a "lamentable situation."

more…
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-04-10-spanish-prince_x.htm

[DavidDvorkin]

1. I lament that our country has gone mad.

But you know, being Spanish, there's a good chance you have some Arab blood in you. Therefore the actions of the security goons was appropriate. So it's okay. And don't you feel safer now?

[kskiska]

4. Aren't they Bourbons?

Maybe they're more French. or German. Sophie has a lot of German blood.

http://www.eurohistory.com/bourbonweddings.html

[Zomby Woof]

6. Sophia is mostly Greek

But never mind that, it was because Spain "appeased" those terrorists, don't ya know. :eyes:

[PartyPooper]

8. Yep. This wouldn't have happened had it been Charles and Camilla.

:eyes:

[JPace]

2. Life can be so crude.....

for the pampered and the privileged.

Wonder if it has anything to do with AWOL
being ticked at the Spanish people for
deciding not to sacrifice their soldiers
for nothing.

[amazona]

3. in all fairness everyone should be searched

I was searched 6 or 7 times the last time I re-entered the U.S. and I'm a citizen. It would be criminal to suddenly announce that royalty would be allowed to avoid the searches that we commoners all have to go through. If they don't want to be treated equal to all others, then don't come here; we don't recognize royalty. I have no sympathy whatsoever for these spoiled nobles. Everyone else has to be searched, they should grow up and get over it.

If the high-born are excused from the searches, why search anyone? The Bin Laden family is quite rich and well-connected if I remember correctly.

[Laughing Mirror]

5. Didn't get their royal fingertips smudged with police blotter ink did they

Has the fingerprinting security measure begun at airports for foreigners entering the country? This will surely be a boon to domestic tourism.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. Yep...yet another example of NeoCon diplomacy.

[kalian]

9. Shameful.....

like everything else under the shrub administration.... :mad: