King Felipe today swore in ministers for the new Spanish government under the Socialist Party.

The ministers took their oath at Zarzuela Palace, without a Bible and crucifix, much like the new prime minister.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia met with Ukrainian Presdient Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna at Zarzuela Palace earlier this week.

The King also met at the small palace of La Quinta with Spanish leaders who help steer an advisory board on international relations, a subject His Majesty is keen on.

Queen Letizia was in Brussels in recent days for an European Union development conference.

This week the King also accepted credentials from a variety of new ambassadors to Spain.

New Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took the oath of office this weekend before King Felipe.

It was the first time a censure motion in parliament changes the country’s leader of government.

The swearing-in was also the first one without a Bible and a crucifix next to the Constitution.

Sánchez, a Socialist, acknowledged the King and pledged loyalty to him, but did not bow as many monarchists do.

King Felipe today signed documents to formalize a change of power in Spain, from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to Pedro Sánchez.

Sánchez led a censure motion against Rajoy over corruption allegations. It was the first to succeed in Spanish history.

Congress President Ana Pastor delivered the notice to His Majesty at Zarzuela Palace soon after the vote.

Sánchez will take the oath of office before King Felipe Saturday morning.

Earlier this month, Queen Letizia spent several days in the Dominican Republic and Haiti meeting with leaders there and seeing the results of Spanish aid.

Photos are courtesy of the Spanish Royal Household.

 

King Felipe in recent days slammed anti-European populists and “nationalist selfishness” during remarks in western Spain.

His Majesty made the comments during an awards ceremony for Antonio Tajani, president of the European parliament.

The comments come amid continued pro-independence rumblings in the Spanish region of Catalonia, and similar instability around the world.

The King, who is deeply in favor of further European integration, was also in Germany recently to an award to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Back in Spain, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos met with King Felipe and Queen Letizia at Zarzuela Palace.

Santos will soon leave the presidency of Columbia after completing a peace deal with the FARC armed revolutionary movement.

 

 

King Felipe and Queen Letizia today welcomed the release of a new online resource dedicated to figures of importance to Spain.

Their Majesties presided over a ceremony at El Pardo Palace for the Royal Academy of History’s biographical dictionary.

The King and Queen are usually present at the Royal Spanish Academy to sign new or updated language tomes.

Mexico visit

Late last month, the King and Queen continued their focus on foreign relations with a visit from Mexico’s outgoing president and his wife.

The two couples met at Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid. A royal visit to the U.S., likely low-key, is in the works.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been busy with international matters in recent weeks.

Last week, they welcomed Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for a state visit. Leaders of the neighboring countries keep extremely close ties.

Their Majesties hosted a welcoming ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid and attended a reception at El Pardo Palace just outside the city.

Other stops for de Sousa included the Reina Sofia Museum and the University of Salamanca.

Tiara debut

During a dinner at the Madrid Royal Palace for the Portuguese president, Queen Letizia wore the family’s Cartier tiara for the first time ever.

Queen Sofia has often word the headpiece, but Queen Letizia has generally favored the smaller tiaras in the collection.

Saudi Visit

Earlier this month, the King and Queen welcomed the Saudi crown prince for a less formal gathering at the Madrid Royal Palace and Zarzuela Palace.

King Juan Carlos was recently vacationing in Saudi Arabia. where he keeps close touch with its royals.

King Felipe was in Barcelona today handing out royal dispatches to new judges and expressed support for the profession.

The comments were notable because Spain’s justice system has been active in prosecuting Catalan separatists.

King Felipe also met with Catalan business leaders at Albéniz Palace, which His Majesty uses for events in Barcelona.