No banquet or champagne for frugal Spanish king

Crown Prince Felipe ascends to the Spanish throne today, but there won’t be any ritzy official celebrations.

The economic crisis that has left a quarter of Spaniards out of work has prompted Europe’s newest king to be relatively frugal at his proclamation.

The crown prince’s father, 76-year-old Juan Carlos, misjudged public anger at financial hardship when he went on an elephant-hunting safari in Africa. Felipe, 46, appears keen to show he’s more in tune with his countrymen — and avoid the mistakes of his abdicating predecessor.