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.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia today left Madrid for their official visit to Cuba to celebrate Havana’s 500th anniversary.
Their Majesties boarded their jet after a departure ceremony at the Terminal of State at Barajas Airport. Such ceremonies are standard for official visits abroad.
Media outlets are describing the trip as historic and a sign of closer relations between the world and Cuba.
However, news that Their Majesties will not meet with dissidents has generated concern among human rights advocates.
Spain and its companies have long had a presence in Cuba. King Juan Carlos, King Felipe’s father, has been to Cuba twice in recent years, including for former leader Fidel Castro’s funeral.
Spain’s Royal Family was in Barcelona this week for public events despite strong protests from Catalan separatists.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia were in the city to hand out the Princess of Girona Awards.
The King suggested his very presence in the city would send a message. He said intolerance and violence had no place in Catalonia.
The King’s daughter, Princess Leonor, who is Princess of Girona, said she was proud to hold the title. She spoke at length in Catalan.
Pro-independence leaders tried to convince electoral authorities to keep the Royal Family away because of the upcoming national voting. They accuse the King of not being an impartial broker.
Several police forces have converged in Barcelona for the royal visit and the upcoming elections.
As heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor holds several titles, including Princess of Asturias and of Girona.
