Foreign Policy Whirlwind For King Felipe

The past several weeks have been heavily focused on foreign policy for King Felipe.

Following a Latin American tour and helping lead the Ibero-American Summit, His Majesty traveled to Brussels to visit the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s new headquarters.

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Spanish Royal Household

The King this month also attended a European Union conference being held in Spain’s Canary Islands.

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Spanish Royal Household

Topping off the month was a state visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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King Juan Carlos Meets With Saudi Crown Prince

King Juan Carlos is generating controversy again for meeting in recent days with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

The crown prince is facing global outrage following the death of a Saudi journalist at that country’s consulate in Istanbul.

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Saudi Foreign Ministry

King Juan Carlos has always been close with Arab monarchs and has used that relationship to promote Spanish interests.

The Spanish government said Don Juan Carlos’ greeting, during a Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi, was simply protocol.

King Visits Peru, Leads Ibero-American Summit

King Felipe has just concluded a muti-day trip to Latin America, including a state visit to Peru and then the Ibero-American summit in Guatemala.

Below are images of His Majesty meeting with regional leaders, touring sites and greeting people.

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Queen Letizia accompanied the King to Peru but did not stay in Latin America for the summit.

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King Felipe is the honorary president of the Organization of Ibero-American States.

King Travels To France For Armistice Day

King Felipe traveled to France earlier this month to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.

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King Felipe meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. © Spanish Royal Household
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© Spanish Royal Household

The King, who traveled to France without Queen Letizia and met with numerous other world leaders, then embarked on a tour of Latin America.

Queen Sofia Turns 80

Queen Sofia celebrated her 80th birthday last week with a gathering at Zarzuela Palace with family.

The Queen Sofia School of Music also celebrated a concern in her honor, where relatives and friends were in attendance.

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Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos with Paloma O’Shea, who founded the Queen Sofia School of Music. O’Shea, the 1st Marquise of O’Shea, is mother of Santander Group leader Ana Patricia Botín. © Spanish Royal Household

The Zarzuela Palace gathering featured Infanta Cristina, whose husband was convicted of corruption related charges.

After years keeping a distance from the Royal Family, Queen Sofia in particular is keen on bringing her daughter back into the fold.

Princess Offers First Public Remarks

Leonor, the Princess of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne, made historic public remarks last week.

The princess, who is being groomed for a more public role, read a section of the Spanish Constitution, to help mark the document’s 40th anniversary.

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© Spanish Royal Household

Princess Leonor read the section affirming popular sovereignty and constitutional monarchy.

Spain’s public broadcaster apologized after spreading a meme related to Princess Leonor’s speech. Someone added a microphone drop following her affirmation of the country as a monarchy.