King Juan Carlos traveled to Cartagena, Colombia this week to the signing ceremony for the peace accord between the country’s government and the FARC rebel group.
Don Juan Carlos’ attendance — wearing white along with other heads of state — shows the importance Spain gives to relations with Latin America.
The relationship is mostly reciprocal. Latin American leaders tend to give members of the Spanish Royal Family particular attention during their trips to the region.
Queen Letizia attended two different events in Barcelona last week related to international cancer research.
Any visit by a member of the Royal Family to Catalonia is notable because of the region’s hostility — at least from some residents — to Spain’s central government in recent years.
Separately, King Felipe welcomed new ambassador credentials at the Madrid Royal Palace.
And Queen Sofia, in support of her foundation and preferred causes, presided over an event in Alicante on Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses.
King Felipe spoke during the opening session of this year’s United Nations General Assembly with an eye on international and domestic crises.
Don Felipe spoke about Spain’s view concerning a host of international difficulties, including the Syrian civil war.
He also acknowledged problems at home, including a political impasse that has blunted Spanish diplomacy, and the difficult Catalan question.
“All advanced democracies, like ours, go through complex moments,” said the King. “But they overcome them with the strength and cohesion of their societies, the solid nature of their institutions, freedom and the rule of law.”
During a separate meeting on refugees, the King said, “We must favor the integration of refugees and legal means for immigration,” and pressed for shared responsibility.
King Felipe met with a roster of world leaders, including President Obama and British Prime Minister Theresa May, and with members of the Spanish diplomatic corps.
Queen Letizia had her own agenda, including meetings dealing with global health and women’s rights.
It was perhaps the top social event so far this year.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia attended the opening of the 200th season of the Royal Theater in Madrid.
The King and Queen sat in the royal box with senior Spanish government officials.
In the crowd were several Spanish socialites, celebrities and members of the nobility.
At one point, the crowd rose to applaud the Queen as the theater’s orchestra played the birthday song. Her Majesty just turned 44.
The King and Queen don’t always sit in the royal box. They recently sat with the crowd for a Rod Stewart concert.
The King and Queen are traveling to New York this week for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
Members of the Spanish Royal family kicked off their public agenda today after the long summer vacation.
King Felipe was at the Palace of Justice in Madrid today for the opening of the judicial year, where he met with Spanish and foreign legal authorities.
Separately, King Felipe met at Zarzuela Palace with the attorney general and the president of the Congress of Deputies.
He also attended a funeral mass for the Duke of Medinaceli, a Spanish Grandee, who died last month. It took place at the Basilica of the Christ of Medinaceli in Madrid.
Over the weekend, Queen Sofia led the Spanish delegation to the Vatican for the canonization of Saint Teresa.
Queen Sofia met with Pope Francis, and as a Catholic monarch can wear white in his presence.
Last month King Juan Carlos traveled to the Dominican Republic for the inauguration of President Danilo Medina.
King Felipe is scheduled to appear at an event with Queen Letizia tomorrow.
The Royal Family’s annual summer vacations are underway, including with King Juan Carlos, who has been scarce in recent years.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia hosted a reception for leaders and activists at Almudaina Palace in Palma de Mallorca this weekend.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia sometimes take private vacation trips, but have also continued the tradition of setting up at Marivent Palace in Palma, a favorite of Queen Sofia. They use Almudaina nearby for public gatherings.
The King also kept with tradition by making an appearance at the King’s Cup regatta.
King Juan Carlos used to attend the event but has long soured on vacationing in the Balearic Islands.
Despite Don Juan Carlos not being as keen on Mallorca, he dined with Queen Sofia and other family members there earlier this month, according to gossip outlets.
Pictures show Infanta Elena, King Felipe’s sister, and numerous of Queen Sofia’s grandchildren, some of who have been taking sailing lessons.
Infanta Cristina, who has embroiled in a corruption investigation tied to her husband’s business dealings, has long been absent from such events, but sends her kids.
The magazine Hola! also published pictures of Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos boating together. The two are said to live separate lives.
Members of the Royal Family and other relatives celebrated Infanta Pilar’s 80th birthday late last month in her son’s Mallorca home. She’s King Juan Carlos’ sister.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia cheered the Spanish Olympic team as athletes departed for Brazil over the weekend.
The King and Queen spoke with the athletes and took numerous selfies. We may also see a member of the Royal or King’s family in Rio de Janeiro.
King Juan Carlos traveled to Peru last week to attend the inauguration of its new President Pablo Kuczynski.
Spain considers relations with former colonies paramount and a senior member of the Royal Family travels there often.
King Felipe used to attend swearings-in during his time and prince. Now he often sends his father to represent him.
King Felipe has been meeting with Spanish political party leaders as they negotiate among themselves to form a government after a second round of parliamentary elections.
The process has generated some controversy after the leader of Ciudadanos suggested asking His Majesty to help convince the socialists to give up their opposition to a conservative led government.
The conservative Popular Party won the elections but not with the majority necessary to form a government without coalition partners.
Even though the King is deeply involved in hekping form a government, he must remain neutral in accordance with the Spanish Constitution and custom.
King Felipe asked conservative Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, as the winner, to form a government. But its unclear whether he will be able to do so.
Felipe Juan Froilán de Todos los Santos de Marichalar y Borbón turned 18 over the weekend, the first of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia’s grandchildren to do so.
Froilán, as he is often called, is the son of Infanta Elena and King Felipe’s oldest nephew, and fourth in line to the Spanish throne.
The Royal Family and King’s Family have been getting him ready for a more public role, but have also grumbled about his friends and life goals.
Froilán is said to be attending a military academy in Virginia. His father, aristocrat Jaime de Marichalar, got divorced from Infanta Elena in 2009.
LOS BORBONES 