Madrid and its surrounding have been host to several high profile royal events in recent days.
Beatrix of the Netherlands, who abdicated in favor of her son in 2013, was in the city yesterday to celebrate Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, known in Spain as El Bosco.
Members of the modern Spanish Royal Family have always been said to be close to their people.
Their agenda in recent weeks has been evidence of that.
Last week King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited communities located to the south of Madrid — Villanueva de los Infantes, Tomelloso and Talavera de la Reina.
@ Agencia EFE
Their Majesties greeted large crowds and made balcony appearances, as is the custom in large parts of Spain.
The King and Queen also attended a mass at the Almudena Cathedral adjacent to the Madrid Royal Palace for the victims of the recent earthquake in Ecuador.
And Queen Sofia attended a concert in the community of El Escorial, site of a large royal palace and pantheon, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Charles III’s birth.
Earlier this month King Felipe, news outlets reported, made a spontaneous stop at a roadside restaurant for lunch. It seems bad weather affected his itinerary.
The pontiff was receiving an award for promoting European unity. And Don Felipe got the chance to meet with several of the continent’s leaders, including German President Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Mateo Renzi.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia are known to be a distant couple, but they are sometimes together at family events or gatherings involving European royals.
News outlets recently confirmed Her Majesty had a private lunch with British Queen Elizabeth II.
The magazine Hola also recently featured Don Juan Carlos and Infanta Elena presiding over a bullfight in Seville. Both are among the royals most attached to Spanish traditions.
Today the King took his daughter, the Princess of Asturias, to a soccer match. It signals the Royal Household’s effort to put the heir to the throne closer to the public eye.
In recent days Don Felipe spoke to business leaders in Madrid, evidence that his duties despite the ongoing political impasse.
“The growth of the Spanish economy could not be understood without the great collective effort of all Spaniards,” said the King, highlighting national unity.
His Majesty continued: “I ask you to continue working in that direction, creating an environment favorable for the economy and business. Despite economic improvements, we still have plenty of work to do.”
King Felipe late last week met with Congress President Patxi López as parties prepare for new elections.
Queen Letizia also recently spoke at a gathering for combating rare diseaseas, one of her passions. And King Felipe held an audience with Prince Albert of Monaco at Zarzuela Palace.
Spanish authorities and Infanta Cristina’s lawyers are revealing a blackmail scheme against the King’s sister.
Authorities are accusing an anti-corruption advocate of asking the Infanta for money in exchange for dropping complaints against her.
Infanta Cristina and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, are under indictment on corruption charges. Prosecutors say he used a non-profit group to enrich himself.
The Infanta says she is innocent and is confident of acquittal. Still, her brother stripper her of her title as Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.
More recently, Barcelona leaders revoked a golden medal from the city. The took the same action against former Catalan President Jordi Pujol.
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