Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was late for his meeting with King Felipe at Marivent Palace in Mallorca today.
Media outlets reported that Rajoy was suffering from lumbar pain, but eventually made it.
Members of the Spanish Royal Family are staying at Marivent during at least part of their summer break.
Members of the Spanish Royal Family returned to their traditional vacation spot of Palma de Mallorca late last month.
It’s somewhat of a working vacation because the King and Queen, and other relatives, must follow through with certain traditions.
King Felipe, for example, presided over the King’s Cup over the weekend, much like his father did before him.
The King, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia held their annual reception for authorities and leaders of the Balearic Islands.
Queen Letizia wowed with her dress, which harkens back to fabric that Spanish traders brought from Asia centuries ago.
Late last month, upon arriving in Mallorca, the King met with several officials, including the head of the Balearic Parliament.
The Royals hold their public meetings at Almudaina Palace, an old Arab fort that became a Spanish royal residence.
However, they have long stayed at Marivent Palace, which belongs to local authorities but is set aside for the family’s use.
Queen Sofia, who spends the most time in Mallorca, often with get grandchildren, is devoted to the place.
It’s unclear how King Felipe and Queen Letizia see Marivent and Mallorca, but continue the tradition, including an annual photo shoot and press meet-and-greet.
Several royals went out to dinner out on the town. King Juan Carlos, however, was spotted in Ireland and is unlikely to stop in Mallorca.
King Felipe today sought to revive the spirit of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a way to combat political instability in Catalonia.
His Majesty participated in ceremonies in the Catalan capital to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic games.
There he met with Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who is calling for a referendum on independence from Spain.
Don Felipe, who carried the Spanish flag during the opening ceremonies in 1992, said participants “represented all we are and all that we can achieve together.”
The King also met with Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, known for her left leaning views but also her discomfort with independence.
Some of the events were at Albéniz Palace, the King’s residence in Barcelona, which is mostly used for ceremonial purposes.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia continued their state visit to the United Kingdom last week with a stop at Westminster Abbey.
While there, they highlighted the long-standing ties between the U.K. and Spain by visiting the tomb of Eleanor of Castile, once an English queen consort.
There are numerous other ties, including Queen Victoria Eugenie, King Felipe’s great grandmother and Queen Victoria’s granddaughter.
King Felipe then met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, where they spoke about their ties post-Brexit.
Queen Letizia wore a tiara again, one of her favorites, while visiting the Lord Mayor of the City of London. Princess Anne was there.
Their Majesties also met with business leaders, Spaniards living in Britain and visited Oxford.
The King and Queen returned to Spain after a last goodbye from Queen Elizabeth, and strong reviews from the British press.
King Felipe spoke to the British parliament today, just like his father King Juan Carlos did decades ago.
Don Felipe and Queen Letizia began a several-day state visit to the United Kingdom today, which included a visit with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
The Spanish King and Queen also met with Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.
During his remarks to Parliament, the King stressed the importance of a united Europe, even as the U.K. seeks to leave the European Union.
A dinner at Buckingham Palace capped the day, with Queen Letizia wearing one of the most important tiaras in the Spanish Royal Household’s collection.
On Thursday, the King will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May, among several stops.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia department for the United Kingdom today for a long-planned state visit.
Their Majesties participated in the traditional sendoff ceremony before departing.
The King and Queen left from the State Pavilion at the Barajas Airport in Madrid. The terminal is used for state departures and arrivals.
The King and Queen have long been meaning to visit the U.K. but a political standoff in Spain delayed their trip.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were in the European Parliament over the weekend honoring late German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a towering figure in the continent.
The Spanish Royal Household has increasingly used King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s parents, as emissaries to important events. Both are close to numerous world leaders.
Kohl was a major booster of the European Union and Don Juan Carlos helped shepherd Spain joining the block.
King Felipe once again spoke out against the separatist movement in Catalonia late last month.
The King, while not addressing the issue directly, let himself be understood during remarks at the Princess of Girona Foundation awards.
The King, speaking to an audience that included Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who favors a referendum on independence, expressed “sincere and firm commitment” to Girona and Catalonia.
The King also called on the audience to recall actions and values that “have made Catalonia great” and, as a result, “all of Spain.”
The King and the Madrid government have repeatedly stressed territorial unity, coexistence and the rule of law.
As heir to the throne, King Felipe’s young daughter, Princess Leonor, holds the title of Princess of Asturias.
She also holds several other similar titles based on the different historical kingdoms that now make up Spain.
The Prince or Princess of Girona title went to heirs of the Aragonese throne, which included Catalonia.
The Girona region, north of Barcelona near the French border, is known for above average pro-independence sentiments.
Mini ‘scandal’
A magazine article about Princess Leonor, 11, caused a stir in recent days and gave birth to numerous online memes.
In trying to tell people about the Princess, the piece mentioned her liking Japanese film director Kurosawa.
Many Spaniards felt the Royal Household was trying to oversell the Princess, or that her tastes were too pretentious, particularly for her age.
The Royal Household excluded King Juan Carlos from an event at the Spanish Congress to commemorate the country’s transition to Democracy, according to several media outlets.
King Juan Carlos, King Felipe’s father, helped steer Spain from dictatorship to Democracy.
But, according to media outlets, the Royal Household thought it was out of protocol for Don Juan Carlos to attend the ceremonies.
Media outlets reported that the elder King expressed his dismay about the snub to friends.
King Felipe won praise but also skepticism earlier this month when he attended a charity bullfight in Madrid.
Aside from people who oppose the activity, aficionados wondered whether the King — who got a standing ovation — really stands with them.
Don Felipe has not been as keen on attending bullfights compared to his father, King Juan Carlos, and his sister, Infanta Elena.
Both of them were helping open a new winery in the Basque Country during the Madrid bullfight.
Conventional wisdom says Queen Letizia is not partial to bullfighting. Neither is Queen Sofia, an animal rights advocate.
The late Duchess of Alba was also an animal rights advocate, but an ardent supporter of bullfighting as a Spanish tradition.
LOS BORBONES 