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Organization and Budget

H.M. The King’s Household is a Constitutional body, the organization and functions of which - in accordance with the provisions of Article 65 of the Constitution – are regulated in detail by Royal Decree No. 434/1988, of 6 May 1988. This Royal Decree (amended by Royal Decrees 657/1990, 1033/2001, 1183/2006 and 999/2010) states that H.M. The King’s Household “is an Institution that, reporting directly to His Majesty, is called upon to serve and support him in all activities deriving from the exercise of his functions as Head of State”. Like other bodies of Constitutional significance (such as the Congress, the Senate, the General Council of the Judiciary and the Constitutional Court), H.M. The King’s Household does not form part of the State Administration. It was created to assist the Head of State in fulfilling his Constitutional functions and to duly ensure his independence with respect to other State bodies.

The above-mentioned Royal Decree 434/1988, which regulates H.M. The King’s Household, specifies that:

• The organization and functioning of this body are subject to certain principles and criteria pertaining to the State Administration, notwithstanding its non-inclusion therein;
• The State Administration bodies shall provide due advice and support to H.M. The King’s Household, thus avoiding – for reasons of economy – the creation of functional bodies parallel to those existing in the State Administration;
• H.M. The King’s Household shall be provided with the following staff: senior management staff; management staff; career civil servants; civil servants of the type referred to in the Transitional Provision of Decree-Law No. 6/1976, of 16 June 1976; interim civil servants; as well as non-career personnel;
• The senior management staff, management staff and civil servants of the type referred to in the Transitional Provision of Decree-Law No. 6/1976, of 16 June 1976, as well as the employees hired by H.M. The King’s Household, shall be remunerated from the overall budgetary provisions approved by the Spanish Cortes each year for H.M. The King’s Household, and specified in the National Budget. The remaining career and interim civil servants – all of whom are referred to in a list of staff posts included as an Appendix to that of the Ministry of the Presidency – receive their remuneration from said Ministry;
• The remuneration of the Head of H.M. The King’s Household, of the Secretary General, of the Head of the Military Chamber (all of whom are senior management staff) and that of the management staff correspond, respectively, to that assigned in the National Budget to Ministers, Secretaries of State, Under-Secretaries and Directors-General. For this reason, each year H.M. The King’s Household applies the same approach to these remunerations as is stipulated in the National Budget for the salaries of equivalent senior officials within the Administration, whether in the form of a percentage increase, decrease or pay freeze for budgetary reasons, in accordance with the First Additional Provision of the aforesaid Royal Decree 434/1988.
• Furthermore, and in accordance with the Second Additional Provision, the regime of incompatible activities for senior management staff and management staff within the Royal Household is that applicable for senior officials within the Administration (as is also the case regarding the obligation to make a declaration of personal assets at the Registry of Senior Officials). In the case of other civil servants, the regime of incompatible activities applied is that corresponding to personnel ascribed to the Public Administration.

I. ANNUAL BUDGET

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 65 and 134 of the Constitution, each year Parliament approves the National Budget Act, the first section of which determines — at the proposal of the Government — an annual overall sum for the Constitutional body known as the “H.M. The King’s Household”.

This overall amount — the value of which over the last five years is set out in the Table below — is normally the object of an annual variation in line with that applied to other Constitutional bodies. In view of the current need for budgetary austerity, H.M. The King’s Household has requested that the overall assignation for the year 2010 be maintained at the same level as that for 2009.

According to the Constitution, H.M. the King may freely determine the distribution of this sum, intended to fund the staff and functioning costs directly payable by H.M. The King’s Household, as well the maintenance of the Royal Family. The objective of this budget assignation is to ensure that the Office of the Head of State possesses a sufficient budgetary allowance for the Head of State to be able to perform his duties with the independence that is inherent to his Constitutional functions.

By means of this annual sum, H.M. The King’s Household responds to its most direct financial obligations that are not the responsibility of other State bodies. Such obligations include (1): salaries, social security contributions and social provisions for senior management, management and non-civil servant staff for which the Royal Household is responsible; day-to-day operative costs, such as office materials; certain supplies; protocol and representation expenses (e.g., luncheons, dinners and receptions); transport and board and accommodation expenses; the acquisition of miscellaneous materials for the functioning of different offices within the Royal Household, etc.

(1) As in most countries in the world, expenses pertaining to Official Trips and Visits are covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Also, please refer to the mention below on expenses pertaining to the Security Service, vehicles, upkeep of La Zarzuela Palace, etc.

As occurs with other Constitutional bodies such as the Congress and the Senate, and in other countries in our context — both monarchies and republics — the overall budget assignation to H.M. The King’s Household is not subject to examination by the Court of Auditors.

Nevertheless, H.M. The King’s Household does have a Comptroller, a career staff member belonging to the Corps of Comptrollers and Auditors of the State Administration, appointed by Royal Decree, who performs his/her tasks in accordance with the general criteria and techniques established by the Comptroller General’s Office.

Likewise, H.M. The King’s Household is no exception from other Constitutional bodies and Ministries in that its security expenses are met by the Interior Ministry, while those concerning official vehicles and their drivers correspond to the State Transport Service (Ministry of Economy and Finance). La Zarzuela Palace and other Royal Sites are property of the State. Their maintenance and upkeep correspond, by law, to the autonomous agency Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage). Regarding the management and administration of the annual budget of H.M. The King’s Household, the normal procedures of the State Administration are followed.

Furthermore, regarding labour and taxation matters, the Royal Household is fully subject to current legislation.

In addition, The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Asturias, The Infantas and their spouses, are obliged to pay all due taxes, for which purpose they annually submit income tax returns and meet their tax obligations.

	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Allocation H.M. The King’s Household(thousands of €)	8048.51	8289.97	8663.02	8896.92	8896.92 (*)

(*) H.M. The King’s Household, as stated above, has requested that the overall assignation for the year 2010 be maintained at the same level as that for 2009.

II. ORGANIZATION

The structure of H.M. The King’s Household comprises a Head of the Household, the General Secretariat and the Military Chamber.

The Head of the Household manages and inspects all the Household's services.

The Secretary General is the deputy Head of the Household of His Majesty the King, and is in charge of coordinating all the Household's services, as well as standing for the Head of the Household in the event of absence or illness.

The Head of the Military Chamber commands the unit that, within His Majesty's Household, represents the military establishment and is at His Majesty's immediate service.

These three authorities constitute the Household's senior management staff.

1. The Head of the Household

The main responsibility of the Head of H.M. The King’s Household is to ensure the optimal functioning of its services and the fulfilment of the duties assigned thereto.

As regards economic-financial, budgetary and accounting management, a Comptroller, with managerial rank, is assigned to the Head of the Household.

2. The General Secretariat

The General Secretariat is currently divided into the following Units, whose Heads constitute the Household’s management staff:

• Planning and Coordination Office

This Office is the auxiliary unit for the Head of the Household and for the Secretary General, providing support and immediate collaboration for the fulfilment of the duties assigned in Royal Decree 434/1988.

• Secretariat of H.M. The Queen.

In collaboration with the other Units of the Household, the Secretariat of H.M. The Queen carries out the study, preparation and implementation of all matters related to the activities of Her Majesty The Queen and of Their Royal Highnesses The Infantas.

• Secretariat of H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias

In collaboration with the other Units of the Household, the Secretariat of H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias carries out the study, preparation and implementation of all matters related to the activities of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Asturias.

• Security Service

The Security Service is permanently responsible for the immediate security of the Royal Family. It is composed of a Head of Security and members of the State Security Forces, appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.

• Relations with the Media.

This unit keeps in touch with media professionals, informing them of the scheduled official activities of the Royal Family, as well as of the content and programme of such activities.

• Protocol

This unit prepares and manages the protocol of the Royal Family's official activities, both in Spain and abroad.

• Administration, Infrastructure and Services

This unit manages the economic-budgetary and staff aspects of the Household. It manages and coordinates the telecommunications and information systems. It also coordinates the general maintenance services of the facilities of La Zarzuela Palace.

The General Secretariat has a staff of 137 civil servants, in addition to those appointed to the Security Service by the Interior Ministry.

3. The Military Chamber

This unit prepares the military activities of the members of the Royal Family, and it is in charge of the relations of a military nature with the authorities of the Defence Ministry. The Military Chamber comprises:

• An officer of at least Major General rank on active duty.

This Officer is the Head of the Military Chamber, and the Royal Guard is at his orders for all intents and purposes, by virtue of delegation by the Head of the Household.

For support and immediate collaboration, the Head of the Military Chamber has an Office, a Military Legal Advisor and a Military Auditor.

The Office has four Sections, which deal with issues regarding Staff, Protocol, Operations and Logistics, respectively.

• The Aides-de-camp to His Majesty The King

The Aides-de-camp provide permanent assistance to His Majesty and, during official activities, to Her Majesty The Queen and to Their Royal Highnesses The Infantas Doña Elena and Doña Cristina. They also take part in the retinue of honour of foreign Heads of State on official visit to Spain.

Four belong to the Army, two to the Navy, two to the Air Force and one to the Civil Guard, and they perform their duties by rotation.

• The Aides-de-camp to His Royal Highness The Prince of Asturias

The Aides-de-camp provide permanent assistance to His Royal Highness and, during official activities, to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias.

One belongs to the Army, one to the Navy, one to the Air Force and one to the Civil Guard, and they perform their duties by rotation.

• The Royal Guard

This is a combined military unit, commanded by a Colonel and composed of military staff of all ranks belonging to the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Common Corps of the Armed Forces.

Its essential tasks comprise providing military guard and honours and to give solemn escort to H.M. The King and to the members of the Royal Family so entitled, as well as to foreign Heads of State on official visit to Spain, when so ordered.

As a military unit, it takes part in exercises and manoeuvres with other forces and collaborates in activities of all types promoted by the Ministry of Defence or by the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy or Air Force, as well as in peacekeeping operations.

Organization chart of His Majesty The King’s Household

(Click to enlarge)

Royal Decree 434/1988 of 6 May 1988, on the restructuring of His Majesty The King’s Household (as amended by Royal Decrees 657/1990, 1033/2001, 1183/2006 and 999/2010)

Having initiated the restructuring of H.M. The King’s Household under Royal Decree 1677/1987, of 30 December 1987, it is now time to complete this operation so that, although the Household is not part of the State Administration, certain principles and criteria pertaining thereto shall be applied to its organization and functioning.

In discharging the duties thereof, the different units within the Household interrelate with diverse units of the State Administration, always doing so in a spirit of collaboration and harmony. Nevertheless, in order to achieve greater fluency and clarity regarding the degree at which such relations are maintained, the present Royal Decree regulates the levels corresponding to senior management staff, although this regulation does not include the staff ascribed to the Military Chamber and the Royal Guard, as the latter constitute exclusive postings for the military personnel providing said services, and to whom specific legislation is applicable.

The new rules also standardize the regime applicable to staff employed by H.M. The King’s Household in positions of a civilian nature, who until the present date had not been subject to a standard body of rules, regarding both promotion and the determination of their complementary salary allowances, with respect to their prior employment and to the relationship maintained with their original Ministries. At the same time, the present regulation intends to prevent any prejudicial consequences to Ministries that, in some cases, might be unable to obtain a replacement for the civil servant transferred to H.M. The King’s Household.

Furthermore, the present restructuring seeks to avoid, as far as possible, for reasons of economic prudence, the creation of organizations performing functions parallel to those already existing within the State Administration. Therefore, it is established that the latter shall provide the corresponding counsel and support to the Household.

By virtue thereof, at the proposal of the President of the Government and after discussion by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of 6 May 1988, I hereby decree that:

Article 1

1. H.M. The King’s Household is the institution that, reporting directly to His Majesty, is called upon to serve and support him in all activities deriving from the exercise of his functions as Head of State.

2. As part of this general responsibility and in addition to performing the administrative and financial tasks corresponding thereto, this Institution shall be particularly attentive to the relations between The King and official bodies, organizations and individuals, to the security of His Majesty and that of the Royal Family. It shall also award ceremonial honours and provides solemn escort when so required.

The Household is also responsible for the organization and functioning of the internal regime pertaining to the residence of the Royal Family.

Article 2

H.M. The King’s Household is constituted of the Head of the Household, the General Secretariat, the Military Chamber and the Royal Guard.

Article 3

1. The functions and duties of the Head of His Majesty The King’s Household, as well as those ascribed under applicable legislation, are all those required to ensure the normal functioning of the Household and the accomplishment of the duties assigned thereto.

The Head of the Household is responsible, in particular, for the following:

• Managing and inspecting all the Services thereof;
• Maintaining communication with Ministerial departments and other higher offices of the State Administration or Institutions regarding issues that affect the Household’s functions, whether directly or via the General Secretariat, or in specific cases, by delegation to the appropriate Service official, within the corresponding level;
• Preparing the budget proposal for His Majesty The King’s Household;
• Disbursing the expenditure for the services corresponding to the Household, within the financial limits authorized and up to the amount determined to be of his/her competence, as decided by H.M. the King;
• Signing contracts concerning matters pertaining to the His Majesty The King’s Household;
• Establishing adequate rules for coordination between the Royal Guard and the Security Service;
• Approving the annual accounts at the close of each financial year.

2. All the Services corresponding to the Household shall report to the Head of His Majesty The King’s Household.

3. The Comptroller’s Office, managed by a Comptroller, shall report directly to the Head of H.M. The King’s Household. This Office is responsible for supervising the Household’s economic, financial, budgetary and accounting management, in accordance with the techniques applied by the State Administration. At the end of each financial year, the Comptroller’s Office shall submit to the Head of the Household a summary report of those issued during the year, describing the degree of effectiveness achieved in the Office’s supervisory activity.

Article 4

1. The General Secretariat is responsible for addressing and pursuing the matters corresponding to the activity and functions of H.M. The King’s Household and for their resolution, or proposal for such, as well as for channelling items requiring a decision by a higher instance.

The Secretary General, the highest official of the above Department, is the Deputy Head of H.M. The King’s Household, and is in charge of coordinating all the Household's services, as well as standing in for the Head of the Household in the event of absence or illness.

2. The Secretary General is entrusted with the following functions:

• Managing the Household’s staff and resolving issues that may arise in this respect, except those affecting the organization of military affairs, which are the responsibility of the Head of the Military Chamber, by delegation of the Head of the Household;
• Inspecting the Household’s offices and departments;
• Performing all necessary management functions regarding the internal regime of the Household’s general services, and resolving questions arising, provided such functions do not correspond exclusively to the Head of the Household;
• Conveying to the Head of the Household the actions proposed regarding matters of his/her concern, and which he/she is responsible for discharging;
• Establishing the internal regime applicable to the offices of the Household of His Majesty the King;
• Conveying an annual report to the Head of H.M. The King’s Household on the evolution, cost and performance of the Services under his/her responsibility and proposing reforms aimed at their improvement and optimization;
• Drawing up draft plans for modernization and outlining programmes to meet the Household’s needs;
• Following approval in the National Budget of the overall amount referred to in Article 65.1 of the Constitution, preparing the draft budget applicable to the Household, in accordance with principles of rigour, economy and efficiency, and conveying this paper to the Head of H.M. The King’s Household to be submitted for approval by His Majesty The King;
• Arranging disbursements;
• Submitting to the Head of the Household the annual accounts prepared by the Administration, Infrastructure and Services Unit;
• Ensuring that financial operations performed and payments made to the Tax authorities and to the Social Security authorities, regarding applicable taxes and social security contributions, are effected in accordance with the same criteria as those employed by the State Administration.

3. The General Secretariat is constituted of the following Units:

• Planning and Coordination Office
• Secretariat of H.M. The Queen
• Secretariat of H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias
• Security Service
• Relations with the Media
• Protocol
• Administration, Infrastructure and Services.

Article 5

1. The Military Chamber represents the Armed Forces, and is directly at the King’s service, within the Household.

2. It is constituted of the following personnel:

• An Officer, of at least Major General rank, on active duty, who is the First Adjutant to His Majesty The King and Head of the Military Chamber. To all effects and purposes, the Royal Guard reports to him, by delegation of the Head of the Household.
• Nine Aides-de-Camp to His Majesty The King, with the rank of Colonel/Captain/Group Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel/Commander/Wing Commander, or Major/Lieutenant Commander/Squadron Leader, of the Army, Navy and Air Force respectively, on active duty, and of whom four belong to the Army, two to the Navy, two to the Air Force and one to the Civil Guard.
• The Military Chamber also includes the Aides-de-Camp so appointed by H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias.
• An Office

3. On relinquishing their post, both the Head of the Military Chamber and the Aides-de-Camp to His Majesty The King, as well as the Aides-de-Camp to H.R.H. The Prince of Asturias, retain the post of Honorary Adjutant.

Article 6

The Royal Guard shall:

1. Provide military guard and honours and gives solemn escort to H.M. The King and to the members of the Royal Family so entitled, as well as to foreign Heads of State, when so ordered;
2. Be constituted of a Chief of Staff and of foot guards, and mounted and motorized units, together with their corresponding services;
3. Occupy the front rank among military forces at official acts attended in fulfilment of the missions entrusted thereto;
4. Be supported by the Ministry of Defence as necessary support to accomplish its duties.

Article 7

1. The Security Service shall be permanently responsible for the immediate security of the Royal Family. In accordance with the instructions issued to this effect, it shall liaise as appropriate with State bodies that have responsibilities in this area.

2. It is constituted by a Chief of Staff and by State Security Forces.

3. The Interior Ministry – and the Ministry of Defence with respect to the Civil Guard, when applicable – shall provide all necessary support to the Security Service for it to accomplish its duties.

4. For the better implementation of the functions delegated to the Security Service, the Head of this Service, by delegation from the Head of the Household and when so required due to the urgency of the situation, may establish appropriate relations with each and any organization necessary, and request the support and collaboration thereof.

Article 8

The staff of H.M. The King’s Household pertain to the following categories:

1. Senior management staff;
2. Management staff;
3. Career civil servants within the civilian or military administration of the State, or that of the Autonomous Communities, of the institutional or Social Security administration, of that of the Judiciary or of the State Prosecution Service;
4. Civil servants as described in the Transitory Provision of Decree-Law No. 6/1976, of 16 June 1976;
5. Interim civil servants;
6. Non-career staff.

Article 9

1. The personnel category of senior management staff within H.M. The King’s Household, for legal effects, is applicable only to those occupying the posts of Head of H.M. The King’s Household, Secretary General and Head of the Military Chamber.

2. The permanent Heads of the Units described in Article 4.3, and the Comptroller of H.M. The King’s Household shall be deemed management staff.

3. Both senior management staff and management staff, as well as any other staff subsequently considered as such, shall be appointed by Royal Decree.

Article 10

1. All civilian and military members of the Household are appointed to their posts and dismissed therefrom freely by H.M. the King, pursuant to Article 65.2 of the Constitution.

2. Military personnel, on active duty and posted to H.M. The King’s Household, are subject, to all effects, to the same terms and conditions as are applicable to military personnel posted to the General Headquarters of their respective Force, without prejudice to the terms and conditions corresponding to military personnel posted to the armed units of the Household.

3. Interim civil servants are subject to the legal regime described for interim staff in the State Administration.

4. All non-career personnel are subject to the corresponding labour legislation.

Article 11

1. A catalogue shall be drawn up of the non-military posts pertaining to H.M. The King’s Household. In drawing up this list, the same criteria shall be applied as are followed by the State Administration. This list is included as an Appendix to that of the Ministry of the Presidency.

2. Posts of a functional nature shall be performed, without discrimination, by career civil servants of the civilian or military administration of the State or of the Autonomous Communities, of the Institutional administration, of the Social Security authorities, of the Judiciary or of the State Prosecution Service, or by those addressed by the Transitory Provision of Decree-Law No. 6/1976, of 16 June 1976, or by interim or non-career personnel.

3. When a civil servant or member of the Armed Forces, enters the service of H.M. The King’s Household, to hold a post as referred to in paragraph one of this Article, he shall forego his post at the Ministry or organization of origin, and shall join the Ministry of the Presidency.

Article 12

1. Senior management staff, management staff and the civil servants addressed in the Transitory Provision of Decree-Law No. 6/1976, of 16 June 1976, shall be paid from the sum allocated in the General State Budget for the maintenance of H.M. The King’s Household, in accordance with Article 65.1 of the Constitution.

2. Staff who are permanent members of the Armed Forces or career civil servants of the State Administration, of the Autonomous Communities, of the Institutional administration, of the Social Security, of the Judiciary or of the State Prosecution Service, as well as interim staff, shall be paid by the Ministry of the Presidency. This Ministry shall publish a catalogue of post occupied by these persons within the Household.

Article 13

For reasons of administrative economy and to avoid, as far as possible, the creation within H.M. The King’s Household of offices with functions parallel to those performed in the State Administration, the different departments of the latter shall provide the Household with the reports, advisory opinions and counsel, of whatever kind, it requests, as well as any other support that may be necessary and which contributes to facilitating the accomplishment of the duties thereof.

The Presidency of the Government shall establish the general procedure to be followed, according to relevant criteria and the issue in question, for requesting, formalizing and obtaining the aforesaid information.

Article 14

Henceforth, any amendment to H.M. The King’s Household that does not affect the Public Administration, and in accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution, shall be resolved freely by H.M. the King, either directly or on his behalf by the Head of the Household.

The Head of H.M. The King’s Household shall hand down the internal rules necessary for the implementation of the present Royal Decree.

Article 15

The Presidency of the Government, at the initiative of the Ministries concerned, shall establish the provisions necessary for the implementation of the present Royal Decree.

FIRST ADDITIONAL PROVISION

The Head of the Household, the Secretary General, the Head of the Military Chamber and the senior management staff shall be remunerated, respectively, in accordance with the amounts allocated in the General State Budget for the remuneration of Ministers, Secretaries of State, Under-Secretaries and Directors-General.

SECOND ADDITIONAL PROVISION

The regime of incompatible activities applicable to senior management staff and to management staff shall be that corresponding to senior Administration officials. Other staff members shall be subject to the regime of incompatible activities corresponding to staff employed in the Public Administration.

THIRD ADDITIONAL PROVISION

In their relations with other offices within the State Administration and institutions, the seniority levels applicable to the senior management staff and the management staff of H.M. The King’s Household shall be those corresponding to the provisions concerning remuneration, in the First Additional Provision.

FOURTH ADDITIONAL PROVISION

With respect to precedence at official acts, this shall be as provided for in such cases in the general procedure for precedence in the State.

REPEALING PROVISION

Royal Decree No. 310/1979, of 13 February 1979, is hereby repealed, together with all the provisions of equal or lower rank that oppose the provisions of the present Royal Decree.