Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma, a distant relative of King Felipe, died of COVID-19 in late March. She was the world’s first royal to die of the disease.
Princess Maria Teresa, who died in Paris, was a professor, feminist and political activist. Known as the “red princess,” Doña Maria Teresa was a Carlist, a descendent of an alternative pretender for the Spanish throne.
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.
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.
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.
The King has also held some in-person meetings at Zarzuela Palace with key officials.
The King left home last week to visit an emergency military hospital. He wore a face mask for most of the trip.
The Royal Guard, meanwhile, has been deployed to provide community assistance.
The Royal Household’s social media feeds have been busier than usual with information related to the coronavirus.
King Felipe made a brief televised address this evening on the coronavirus outbreak, which continues growing in Spain.
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.
The King delivered his message from Zarzuela Palace standing up and from a podium, not common for a royal address.
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.
Coronavirus cases are growing in the U.S. Spain is quickly becoming one of the top global hotspots.
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.
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.
Queen Letizia has tested negative for the novel coronavirus sweeping Spain and the world.
Her Majesty came in contact with a minister who came out positive, raising alarm about the Royal Family’s health.
Queen Letizia is still isolating herself and the Royal Household has cancelled events.
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.
Earlier in the day, Spanish outlets reported that the King and Queen had been 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.
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 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.
Several media outlets reported the case of the disease and said the princess and infanta would continue attending classes as normal.
