Infanta Pilar, the Duchess of Badajoz and King Felipe’s aunt, has died, media outlets reporter this morning. She was 83.
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 Felipe this morning swore in Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, during a brief ceremony at Zarzuela Palace.
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 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.
Congress President Meritxell Batet met with the King in his office at Zarzuela Palace to formalize the appointment.
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.
King Felipe this evening made his latest call for coexistence and understanding among Spaniards.
His Majesty delivered his annual Christmas Eve address, in which he called the economy and the Catalan crisis top concerns.
“We don’t live in easy times,” said His Majesty, calling for “firm confidence in ourselves and in Spain.”
Don Felipe also said growing economic inequality and those left behind by economic growth and technology were a “principal concern.”
But like many previous remarks, the speech was focused on pushing an image of Spain as “very open to the world” and of “tolerance and respect.”
King Felipe also alluded to the ongoing efforts by acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to form a new government.
King Felipe today launched talks with Spanish political leaders ahead of proposing a candidate for prime minister.
The King today met with the heads of the Congress of the Deputies and the Senate. Meetings with party leaders are next week.
After the meetings, the King will likely tap the Socialist Party leader to form a government.
Even though Pedro Sánchez’s group got the most votes in the recent elections, he needs to form coalitions to govern.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia reserved a particularly warm welcome this week to U.S. Democrats participating in the Madrid international climate conference.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several of her colleagues were in the Spanish capital to challenge President Trump’s opposition to the Paris climate accord.
King Felipe used one of his few delegation meetings to gather with the Democrats at Zarzuela Palace.
On Monday the King held a reception at the Royal Palace in Madrid for the delegations. Pelosi was also there.
Spain is a fierce defender of climate action and Democrats have since boasted about how well they were received at the conference.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed dozens of diplomats and world leaders in Madrid today for this year’s United Nations climate conference.
The King hosted a reception and delivered remarks at the Madrid Royal Palace’s Hall of Columns, which is reserved for deeply important events.
Among the King’s guests was U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The royals greeted her warmly.
The King is also set to attend the conference’s closing ceremonies later this month.
Queen Sofia was back on the Royal Family’s public agenda this month.
King Felipe’s mother handed poet and architect Joan Margarit the Queen Sofia Prize in Iberoamerican Poetry during an event at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
Her Majesty also this month attended ceremonies to commemorate the anniversary of the charity group Manos Unidas or United Hands.
Earlier in the month, Queen Sofia attended a conference against Alzheimer’s disease.
The Royal Household has reduced Queen Sofia’s public events ever since her husband abdicated the throne. Their goal is to shine the spotlight on the new king and queen.
However, unlike her husband, who recently retired from public life, Queen Sofia has vowed to continue leading her foundation and championing pet projects.
King Felipe called for democracy and the protection on human rights this week during a state visit to Cuba.
His Majesty made his comments during a dinner offered by the Spanish during the historic royal visit.
The King met this week with Cuban leaders, Spaniards living on the island, diplomats and business leaders. They toured Havana neighborhoods on foot.
Don Felipe also had a private session with former Cuban President Raúl Castro, brother of the late Fidel Castro.
The royal visit was the first by a Spanish monarch to the former colony in five centuries.
Their Majesties are now in Washington, D.C., for a private visit for the anniversary of Georgetown University’s foreign affairs school.
LOS BORBONES 