King Meets With Leaders Of Colombia, Angola, Portugal

Spain’s royals have held meetings in recent weeks with the leaders of Colombia, Angola and Portugal amid a busy fall agenda.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia last month welcomed the president of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and his wife, Ana Dias Lourenço at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Earlier in the month, Their Majesties were in Portugal with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to inaugurate a cancer center in Lisbon.

The center is backed by the Champalimaud Foundation. The King’s mother, Queen Sofia, is involved with the group, according to the Royal Household.

The King was in Lisbon Sept. 12 for the state funeral of former Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio.

On Sept. 16, King Felipe and Queen Letizia held a lunch for Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez, his wife María Juliana Ruiz and a delegation from both countries.

Earlier this month the King welcomed several new ambassadors to present their credentials at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Another recent guest to Spain was Chilean President Sebastián Piñera.

Queen Sofia At The Opera

Queen Sofia attended the opera last week for the opening of the Madrid Royal Theater’s 2021-2022 season.

The venue is celebrating 100 seasons since its opening in the 1800’s and its 25th season since reopening in 1997.

This year’s opera is Rossini’s La Cenerentola. Last year the Royal Theater put on A Masked Ball, as Spaniards returned to performance venues under COVID-19 precautions.

King, Queen Visit Volcano Eruption Site

King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the island of La Palma this past week to meet with rescue workers and people affected by the ongoing volcanic eruption.

The volcano in La Palma, part of the Canary Islands, had been dormant since the 1970’s. The lava has destroyed numerous homes. Their Majesties were joined by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during their tour.

Royals Begin Post-Vacation Agenda

King Felipe and Queen Letizia return from August vacations to a busy agenda, with numerous important events on the calendar.

King Felipe started the month opening the judicial year with a visit to the Spanish Supreme Court headquarters in Madrid.

Among his events, His Majesty also handed an award at Zarzuela Palace to Ana Patricia Botín, chair of banking giant Santander, for her promotion of Ibero-American business.

The King and Queen earlier this month welcomed Chilean President Sebastián Piñera. His tour of Madrid included a lunch at the Royal Palace.

Queen Letizia went to Zaragoza to launch the 2021-2022 school year. Crowds were there to welcome Her Majesty.

The Queen on Friday stopped by the Madrid Book Fair, a major event for the Spanish capital.

Spain’s National Day or Fiesta Nacional in October is among the most important upcoming dates. It’s unclear how big the celebrations will be because of the ongoing pandemic.

Queen Sofia Mourns Liechtenstein Princess

Queen Sofia this weekend attended funeral ceremonies for Marie of Liechtenstein, who died earlier this month following a stroke.

Queen Sofia is close to numerous royals throughout Europe and offered condolences on behalf of the entire Spanish Royal Family.

King Honors Afghanistan Evacuation Leaders

King Felipe met over the weekend with Spanish officials who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

_{King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez meeting with Gabriel Ferrán, the outgoing Spanish ambassador to Afghanistan, and his deputy, Paula Sánchez Díaz. Spanish Royal Household}

His Majesty visited the Torrejón Air Base in Madrid after the last flight landed with Spaniards and Afghans who collaborated with allied forces.

Royals Start Mallorca Vacations

Members of the Spanish Royal Family are at Marivent Palace in Mallorca for their public summer vacations, as is tradition.

King Felipe earlier this week held a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the palace to get an update on political events.

King Felipe also held a meeting with Balearic Island authorities at Almudaina Palace, a centuries old fortress near downtown Palma.

_{King Felipe with Palma Mayor José Francisco Hila Vargas. Spanish Royal Household}

The King and Queen, and Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia have made other public appearances since arriving on the islands.

Mallorca is a favorite vacation destination for Queen Sofia, the King’s mother. Media outlets report she’s already there as well.

Royals Support Spanish Olympians

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and the Spanish Royal Household have been vocal in their support of athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics.

The Royal Household Twitter page has been active with numerous posts celebrating medals and showcasing different members of the team.

The King and Queen also held a departure ceremony for the athletes at the Royal Palace of El Pardo in the outskirts of Madrid.

King Felipe carried the Spanish flag during the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 when he was still Prince of Asturias.

King Travels To Peru For Inauguration

King Felipe traveled to Peru this week for the inauguration of the country’s new president, leftist Pedro Castillo.

King Felipe also met with Colombian President Iván Duque, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and outgoing Peruvian leader Francisco Sagasti.

King Felipe has been attending presidential inaugurations in Spain’s former colonies for decades. He began doing so as Prince of Asturias.

Royals Hold State Memorial For COVID-19 Victims

King Felipe and Queen Letizia this month led the country’s second state ceremony for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and those continuing to suffer and sacrifice because of the disease.

Their Majesties presided over the ceremony at the Madrid Royal Palace and awarded four posthumous Grand Crosses of Civil Merit to health workers who died caring for pandemic patients.

Members of Spain’s Royal Family have been active in response to the pandemic following concern King Felipe had been to slow to speak about the crisis. He first delivered televised remarks to the nation in mid-March 2020.