They will not eat cake

The Spanish Royal Family is facing industrial action from staff at its royal palaces who feel aggrieved at  reductions in their salary and an extension of the working week.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia paid a state visit to Ireland in June 1986 at the invitation of President Hillery.

It is the first time since the 1975 death of the country's fascist dictator, Generalisimo Francisco Franco, that the Spanish royals have faced this type of revolt. Zarzuela Palace is home to King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. It is believed that up to 140 union backed staff may be involved. The action is part of a wider withdrawal of labour called by a union which claims that that 'about half of its workers earn less than 1,200 euros a month.'

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