King, Queen Speak With President, First Lady

King Felipe and Queen Letizia today spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, according to a tweet from the Royal Household.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia in the King’s office at Zarzuela Palace. Spanish Royal Household

Their Majesties were scheduled to visit the U.S. in April but postponed the trip because of the pandemic.

A brief readout of the call said the leaders spoke about the bonds between Spain and the U.S., and ongoing cooperation.

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UPDATED: Royals Scramble To Respond To Pandemic

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have worked to remain active in recent weeks as Spain becomes one of the global hotspots for the coronavirus pandemic.

The King, according to media outlets, helped secure medical equipment from contacts in China, including billionaire Jack Ma and Huawei.

Their Majesties have also hosted numerous telephone and video meetings with officials, community leaders and first responders.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia speaking with leaders of Spanish car company SEAT about the production of essential health equipment. Spanish Royal Household

The King has also held some in-person meetings at Zarzuela Palace with key officials.

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King Felope meeting with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Spanish Royal Household

The King left home last week to visit an emergency military hospital. He wore a face mask for most of the trip.

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Spanish Royal Household

The Royal Guard, meanwhile, has been deployed to provide community assistance.

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Spanish Royal Household

The Royal Household’s social media feeds have been busier than usual with information related to the coronavirus.

 

King Felipe Addresses Nation Amid Crisis

King Felipe made a brief televised address this evening on the coronavirus outbreak, which continues growing in Spain.

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Spanish Royal Household

The King thanked health workers and other first responders, and urged people to be united in fighting the disease.

The King spoke after meeting with the prime minister and other top officials dealing with the crisis.

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Spanish Royal Household

The King delivered his message from Zarzuela Palace standing up and from a podium, not common for a royal address.

U.S. State Visit Postponed

King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s state visit to the U.S. has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The visit was supposed to take place in April. The new date is yet to be determined.

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Spanish Royal Household

Coronavirus cases are growing in the U.S. Spain is quickly becoming one of the top global hotspots.

King Resigns His Inheritance

King Felipe has resigned any inheritance from his father, King Juan Carlos, who abdicated the Spanish throne in 2014.

Don Felipe has also decided to stop giving his father an allowance from the Royal Household’s budget.

The information came through a formal communication from the Royal Household following media reports of two foundations with ties to King Juan Carlos, which may have received money from Saudi Arabia.

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King Juan Carlos during a brief encounter with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2018.

King Juan Carlos, once a heroic figure who led the Spanish transition to Democracy, recently decided to give up public life.

In a separate development, a woman who is said to have had an affair with King Juan Carlos, and says she’s aware of financial dealings, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, is accusing Spanish intelligence agents of trying intimidate and discredit her.

According to the BBC, zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, a figure who helped prompt King Juan Carlos’ abdication, is set to lodge a complaint with British courts.

Royals Visit France Amid Virus Fears

King Felipe and Queen Letizia traveled to France today for en event to honor the victims of terrorism.

Their Majesties met with President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. They did not touch when greeting because of coronavirus fears.

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Spanish Royal Household

Earlier in the day, Spanish outlets reported that the King and Queen had been tested for coronavirus.

King, Queen Tested For Coronavirus

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been tested for the novel coronavirus, media outlets reported today.

Her Majesty attended an event recently with Equality Minister Irene Montero, who has tested positive for the disease.

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Spanish Royal Household

The King and Queen have cancelled much of their public agenda because of the outbreak.

Someone in Princess Leonor’s private school in Madrid had the virus. Media outlets reported the heir to the throne would continue attending, but authorities have since shut down classes.

Spanish Princess’ School Affected By Coronavirus

Spanish authorities have confirmed a case of coronavirus at the elite Santa Maria de los Rosales private school in Madrid.

That’s where Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, and her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, both attend classes.

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Princess Leonor, King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofia. Spanish Royal Household

Several media outlets reported the case of the disease and said the princess and infanta would continue attending classes as normal.

King Visits Uruguay For Swearing-in

King Felipe traveled to Uruguay earlier this month for the swearing-in of Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou.

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Spanish Royal Household

His Majesty met with Lacalle and his family before the inauguration ceremonies on Sunday.

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Spanish Royal Household

The King also met with outgoing president Tabaré Vázquez at the Executive Tower in Montevideo.

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Spanish Royal Household

During the inauguration ceremony, King Felipe sat next to Brazil’s new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro.

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Spanish Royal Household
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King Felipe and Lacalle embrace. Spanish Royal Household

King Felipe, during his visit to Uruguay, held a bilateral meeting with Colombian President Iván Duque.

Media outlets reported His Majesty also relaxed in Montevideo, visiting a local steak restaurant.

King Felipe was Spain’s official representative during Latin American swearing-ins during his time as Prince of Asturias.