King, Queen In Poland For Auschwitz Liberation Anniversary

King Felipe and Queen Letizia are in Poland with other world leaders today to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

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Spanish Royal Household

Their Majesties laid a wreath at the site and made an offering at the Holocaust Memorial.

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Spanish Royal Household

King Felipe traveled to Israel last week for that country’s Holocaust commemoration.

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King In Israel To Remember Holocaust

King Felipe traveled to Israel last week to join world leaders in Holocaust remembrance ceremonies.

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King Felipe laying a wreath on Spain’s behalf. Spanish Royal Household.

The King attended a leaders forum and a dinner hosted by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. He also met with Spanish Jewish leaders.

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Spanish Royal Household

King Felipe and Queen Letizia hosted Rivlin and his wife for a state visit in recent months. Their Majesties welcomed the Palestinian leadership soon after, but the events were more muted.

King Prepares to Open Parliament

King Felipe is preparing to for the Solemn Opening of the Courts, the opening of parliament, in the coming days.

Earlier this month His Majesty swore in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is leading a left-wing coalition government with Podemos.

The King last week swore-in other members of the incoming government at Zarzuela Palace.

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Spanish Royal Household

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias and Alberto Garzón wore pins to protest fascism. Both are considered anti-monarchists.

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Spanish Royal Household

Sánchez’s Socialist Party is also nominally republican in nature but many of its members have come to appreciate the King’s role.

King Mourns Oman Ruler

King Felipe traveled to Oman last week to mourn the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The King met with the country’s new sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, and delivered official condolences from Span.

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Spanish Royal Household
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Spanish Royal Household

The Spanish Royal Family has always looked to keep good relations with rulers in the Arab world.

Infanta Pilar, King’s Aunt, Dies

Infanta Pilar, the Duchess of Badajoz and King Felipe’s aunt, has died, media outlets reporter this morning. She was 83.

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The infanta was daighter of Infante Juan, who went by the title of Count of Barcelona, even though he was never officially Spain’s king and lived in exile.

Infanta Pilar’s mother was Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

King Swears In New Prime Minister

King Felipe this morning swore in Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, during a brief ceremony at Zarzuela Palace.

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Spanish Royal Household

Sánchez took the oath to the King and the Constitution without a Bible of crucifix, as used to be customary.

Don Felipe joked Sánchez getting the premiership was easy but more difficulties were yet to come.

King Appoints Prime Minister

King Felipe this afternoon appointed Pedro Sánchez to be Spain’s new prime minister.

The president signed a royal decree after Sánchez won a vote in the Congress of Deputies following months of political stalemate.

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Spanish Royal Household

Congress President Meritxell Batet met with the King in his office at Zarzuela Palace to formalize the appointment.

 

King Addresses Military Leaders

King Felipe addressed Spanish military leaders at the Madrid Royal Palace throne room yesterday for the first major royal event of the year.

The so-called Pascua Militar takes place on Epiphany and is meant to commemorate the armed forces and address Spain’s defense needs.

The King said the military remained committed to defending the Constitution and the country’s interests.

King Charles III started the Pascual Militar in the 1700’s. King Juan Carlos resurrected the tradition when he became king.