King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Catalonia last week on their ongoing countrywide tour.
A trip to Catalonia — in this case to a monastery in Tarragona — is notable because of the years-long political instability there. The region has also seen a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Pro-independence protesters were near the site but police kept them away from the King and Queen.
The Spanish Royal Family held a ceremony at the Madrid Royal Palace grounds to honor victims of the coronavirus pandemic.
Attending last week in the shadow of Almudena Cathedral were King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Letizia and Infanta Sofia.
The ceremony of state was one of several from Spain’s royals to honor the pandemic’s victims.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia helped lead a service for victims of COVID-19 at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid last week.
Almudena Cathedral is across from the Madrid Royal Palace, the King and Queen’s official residence. Spain was among the countries hardest hit by the disease but has been reopening after seeing cases fall dramatically.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been crisscrossing Spain for the past several week during a delicate time for the country and the Royal Family.
Their Majesties worked to be active during the pandemic lockdown and have been visible during the reopening, including visiting several museums and cultural attractions.
They have also visited beaches and walked through numerous communities. Their visits have been informal and meant to connect them with regular people.
Spaniards, fed up with corruption, the Catalan crisis, recession and scandal, have taken out their frustrations on the governing class — including the Monarchy. Despite the Royal Family’s efforts, many people see them as not having done enough to fight COVID-19.
Then there’s King Juan Carlos, who is embroiled in a financial scandal related to $100 million gift from the Saudis, some of which may have ended up in the hands of a former lover.
King Felipe has disconnected himself from his father financially and discussions are ongoing about the elder monarch’s status within the Royal Family.
King Felipe and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa last week celebrated the reopening of land border crossings between the two nations.
His Majesty and Rebelo de Sousa traveled to the community of Elvas along the border, near the Spanish city of Badajoz.
Border crossings have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Europe, which has managed to significantly reduce its cases, is hoping to benefit economically from the summer travel season.
Leonor, the Princess of Asturias and Girona, among other titles as heir to the Spanish throne, lamented last month that the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony had to be held online because of the pandemic.
Joining Princess Leonor were King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Infanta Sofia, the princess’ younger sister.
The Princess of Girona awards are a key part of the Spanish royal calendar, particularly for the community of Catalonia.
The Prince or Princess of Girona is traditionally the heir to the Crown of Aragon, one of the kingdom’s that make up modern Spain.
The Prince or Princess of Asturias title belongs to the heir of the Crown of Castile, which has long been the dominant Spanish kingdom.
The Princess of Asturias Awards are more high profile and of international significance, and handed out every year duding an elaborate ceremony in Oviedo, Asturias.
King Felipe celebrated six years on the throne Friday. Spanish parliamentarians held a proclamation ceremony on June 19, 2014 after King Juan Carlos’ abdication.
Military leaders and other officials participated in a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the date. King Felipe went on with his agenda as usual.
British newspaper the Telegraph says King Juan Carlos and a businessman friend paid almost $500,000 for King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s honeymoon. The article ties the current king to his father’s finances, which have been under scrutiny.
Spanish newspaper El Pais, when reporting the allegations, focused less on a father paying for his son’s honeymoon but on the businessman who contributed, Josep Cusí.
The Royal Household told El Pais it didn’t have additional comment and pointed to a previous statement, in which King Felipe cut financial ties with King Juan Carlos.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, formerly and prince and princess of Asturias, got married in 2004. They went on honeymoon to Cambodia, Fiji and California.
The Spanish Royal Family is honoring health workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation announced in recent days that health workers would receive the 2020 award for concord.
The Princess of Asturias foundation and award are named after the heir to the Spanish throne, currently Princess Leonor.
The ceremony is held every year in the Principality of Asturias in the north of Spain.
King Felipe mobilized the Spanish nobility to help people affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Royal Household said this week.
The King tasked nobles, nobility corporations and other groups with ties to the Crown with purchasing milk and olive oil for the Red Cross.
Beyond helping the needy, the initiative was also a effort to aid struggling food producers.
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