King Felipe last week met with Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas as Spain emerges as one of the world’s most outspoken supporters of a Palestinian state.
The King with Abbas at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Spanish Royal Household
King Felipe held a state visit for Israel in 2017 but since then, relations between the two nations have soured over the Palestinian issue.
King Juan Carlos, who has been living in the Middle East following a string of controversies, went rogue recently by releasing a video not sanctioned by the Royal Household.
King Felipe’s father — not happy with being left out of official ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the monarchy’s restoration — released a video to remind young people about his role in Spain’s transition to democracy.
The video coincides with the release of King Juan Carlos’ memoirs, parts of which have stirred controversy, including expressing respect for the late dictator Francisco Franco.
King Juan Carlos succeeded Franco as Spanish head of state but steered the country towards democracy after decades of authoritarian rule.
Spain is commemorating the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco’s death and the Bourbon restoration under King Juan Carlos I.
However, Don Juan Carlos — who has been living mostly in exile in the United Arab Emirates — was not invited to the formal events.
Those events included inducting Queen Sofia and other luminaries into the Order of the Golden Fleece with a Madrid
King Felipe, Queen Sofia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia then headed to the Congress building for a discussion on Spain’s transition to democracy.
Dozens of family members of the Royal Family then held a private lunch at the Royal Palace of El Pardo that included King Juan Carlos.
The gathering was tense. King Juan Carlos has lashed out over being excluded from official events and has accused Queen Letizia of fomenting family divisions.
The former head-of-state also recently made positive comments about Franco that have overshadowed his role in leading Spain’s democratic transition.
King Felipe met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Zarzuela Royal Palace in Madrid this week.
Zelenskyy has been to Spain three times to help secure support for his country’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskyy visited the Reina Sofia Museum and saw Picasso’s famous Guernica painting, which depicts scenes from the Spanish Civil War.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia traveled to China this month for a state visit as Spain looks to strengthen commercial ties with the Asian giant.
The Royal Household released numerous pictures from Their Majesties various stops, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s ever-popular mother, celebrated her 87th birthday this week to cheers from admirers.
Her Majesty led the awards ceremony and concert for the BMW Painting Prize at the Royal Theater in Madrid. Attendees took the opportunity to celebrate her birthday.
Queen Sofia visited the Thai embassy in Madrid in recent days to mourn the death of Queen Sirikit.
Spanish tabloids are reporting that King Juan Carlos — who has lived in exile in the United Arab Emirates for years — had kind words for his wife in a new memoir being published first in France. Don Juan Carlos’ repeated infidelity has contributed to them living separate lives.
King Juan Carlos, who helped lead Spain to Democracy in the 1970’s, is also said to have expressed respect for former dictator Francisco Franco. Franco helped mentor Don Juan Carlos as a young man and named him heir, formally restoring the monarchy.
Queen Letizia stunned observers with a cobalt blue dress and large tiara during a dinner for Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman.
Her Majesty wore a diamond and pearl tiara once owned by Queen Maria Cristina, mother of King Alfonso XIII, King Felipe’s great grandfather.
Queen Letizia also wore the Collar of the Order of Oman during the gathering at the Madrid Royal Palace.
Members of the Spanish Royal Family were in the Principality of Asturias this weekend for the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony.
The awards, akin to the Nobel Prizes, are handed out by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, headed by Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, Infanta Sofia and Queen Sofia were on hand at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo.
Winners this year included Serena Williams in sport and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi for international cooperation.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation also celebrates an Asturian community every year. This time around the honors went to the small town of Valdesoto. The Royal Family visited on Saturday.
King Felipe made a short trip to Peru this month to attend the 10th International Congress of the Spanish Language.
The event was in the city of Arequipa, birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning writer Mario Vargas Llosa, who died this year.
King Felipe visited a museum dedicated to Vargas Llosa. The late author was a dual Peruvian and Spanish citizen, and a marquess.
Princess Leonor met with Vargas Llosa family members earlier this year during her stop in Peru while sailing on the Elcano.
Queen Letizia, also this month, was in Rome for World Food Day, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. She met with Pope Leo during her visit.
Queen Letizia is a special ambassador for nutrition for the Food and Agriculture Organization.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia presided over a military parade in Madrid this month and a reception at the Royal Palace to commemorate Spanish National Day, also known as Hispanic Heritage Day.
Spanish National Day coincides with the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first landing in the Americas. Many Latin American countries also have holidays around Oct. 12.
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