Editorial: Christmas tales

QUEEN Elizabeth II used her Christmas message to pay tribute and thanks in a very festive message to the UK and the world but here in Spain, King Felipe VI, making his first ever Christmas speech since being crowned king, used his speech to attack corruption, the likes of which his younger sister is embroiled in.
The Queen highlighted the ceramic poppy tribute to World War One casualties and people dealing with the Ebola disease.
The hugely popular poppy installation at the Tower of London was “a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind”, she said.
And she revealed how she has been “deeply touched” by those who have treated victims of Ebola in Africa.
But, here inSpain, it was a different tale.
King Felipe VI lashed out against corruption in his Christmas Eve address but made no direct reference to his sister who was ordered on Monday to stand trial for tax crimes here in Palma.
Corruption has become the country’s biggest concern with scores of politicians caught up in a host of major investigations -  many spent Christmas behind bars -  especially here in the Balearics.
Felipe also called for “strength in unity” in a nation threatened by a separatist movement in Catalonia while in the UK it was a different tale. The country is moving on from its legal referendum in Scotland. Spain faces another tough year ahead.