King Promotes Dialogue

King Felipe called for dialogue during a conference on sustainable architecture in Pamplona today.

Su Majestad el Rey durante su intervención
© Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Felipe’s words come after another inconclusive parliamentary election in Spain and after the British vote to leave the European Union.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia also visited a VW car factory in Pamplona. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The Spanish Crown and government have been deeply supportive of increased EU integration.

King Felipe will soon begin talks with political leaders to help forge a new governing coalition.

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King Juan Carlos Celebrates Panama Canal Expansion

King Juan Carlos traveled to Panama over the weekend to celebrate the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is finally finished.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Spain’s Sacyr Vallehermoso SA helped lead construction of the canal’s expanded capacity.

Queen Letizia Honors Queen Sofia

Queen Letizia helped honor Queen Sofia, her mother-in-law, for work preventing drug addiction.

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Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia arrive at the Royal Post Office building in Madrid. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Queen Sofia has taken more of a back seat since her husband, King Juan Carlos, abdicated the Spanish throne.

But Queen Sofia remains active with royal events and shepherding her foundation. Groups have been awarding her for her help.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia have always seemed to have a close relationship.

Queen Letizia knows she doesn’t have her mother-in-law’s blue blood, but has the life experience and speaking abilities necessary to complement her.

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© Real Casa de Correos. Madrid

Queen Letizia is not as close to her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos, who has never fully warmed up to her.

King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia Seem Closer

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, long known to be a distant couple, have taken part in a series of events together.

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© Casa S.M. el Rey

Last week, Their Majesties attended a ceremony for the publication of Bulgarian King Simeon’s memoirs.

The Bulgarian royals in exile have set roots in Spain and created close ties with Spain’s monarchs.

Separately, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia recently visited an art exhibit at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were also together during a visit to Spain by former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Royalty On Stage And Film

Madrid’s Teatro Español this month opened a long-awaited play about Queen Sofia.

The work, written by Ignacio García May, focuses on Queen Sofia’s long life as one of Europe’s foremost royals.

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Queen Sofia with her daughter, Infanta Elena.

Her Majesty has lived through wars, in exile, and has had complicated relationships with her mother, the late Greek Queen Frederica, and her husband, King Juan Carlos I.

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King Juan Carlos and Queen Letizia reviewing an art exhibit at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Separately, Queen Letizia dropped in on Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, who is filming a movie called “The Queen of Spain.”

The drama and comedy is about the production of a movie about Queen Isabella.

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Media outlets have been keen on reporting about the Queen’s meeting with Cruz.

Royal Events Sweep Madrid

Madrid and its surrounding have been host to several high profile royal events in recent days.

Beatrix of the Netherlands, who abdicated in favor of her son in 2013, was in the city yesterday to celebrate Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, known in Spain as El Bosco.

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Princess Beatrix greets King Felipe and Queen Letizia at the National Museum of El Prado. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Queen Beatrix also spent time with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia during a lunch at the Palace of Zarzuela outside Madrid.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Over the weekend King Felipe and Queen Letizia presided over ceremonies for Armed Forces Day.

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© Casa de S.M. el Rey

The King also escaped to Milan over the weekend for the final of UEFA Champions League 2016 game between Madrid’s two football clubs.