Members of the Spanish Royal Family have packed their agenda ahead of the upcoming holidays.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Valencia last week to hand out the Rey Jaime I awards, which focus on research and discovery.

The King and Queen also visited the eastern Spanish city’s main marketplace, and spoke with vendors and visitors.

On Friday, Queen Sofia was at the Royal Palace in Madrid handing out awards in Ibero-American poetry.

She then visited Mallorca to help mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Ramón Llull, a Catalan writer and philosopher.

King Juan Carlos was also on the agenda in recent weeks. He was at Bank of Spain headquarters giving out an award on the economy named after him.

On the agenda in the coming days are a swearing-in and an official trip to Portugal.

King Felipe called for a “new era of prosperity” during the opening of the Cortes Generales this week.

The King attended the solemn ceremony with Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.

Protocol for the occasion includes opening the Door of the Lions and a brief military parade.

The King said, “Our recent history has not been free of difficulties. We have overcome them and will continue to overcome. I am convinced that the Spanish people has a profound desire to open a new era of prosperity centered on coexistence and understanding.”

King Felipe has delayed a trip to Saudi Arabia because of the death of King Salman’s brother.

Don Felipe and Queen Letizia had already delayed some major foreign trips, including a visit to the United Kingdom, because of political uncertainty in Spain.

The King and Queen, and their daughters, including the Princess of Asturias, will attend the opening of parliament on the 17th.

King Felipe is set to appear before parliament in the coming days for what Spaniards call the Solemn Opening of the Cortes, according to media reports.

Last week the King swore in members of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s new government, including incoming Defense Secretary Maria Dolores de Cospedal.

The opening of the Cortes, as parliament is called, has been delayed because of a months-long political stalemate.

 

 

The ceremony involves plenty of pomp and symbolism, including opening the ceremonial Door of the Lions.

 

King Felipe today took Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s oath of office at Zarzuela Palace following this weekend’s vote in the Congress of Deputies.

With the abstention of most Socialists, Rajoy was able to secure a vote to continue governing Spain.

National political leaders in Spain swear an oath of loyalty to the King while touching the Bible and a copy of the Constitution.

The economic and political crisis in Venezuela were central points of discussion during the 25th Ibero-American Summit last week.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro skipped the event in Cartagena, Colombia, not far from his capital of Caracas.

Envoys from the country did attend, but they focused on the theme of the conference — youth, education and entrepreneurship.

King Felipe, honorary president of the Organization of Ibero-American States, took time to reiterate Spain’s support for Colombia’s peace accord with rebel forces.

The King had to rush back to Madrid over the weekend to monitor political development in parliament.

Queen Letizia has been abroad at least twice in recent weeks to promote preferred causes.

Her Majesty traveled to Paris today for the opening of the 2016 World Cancer Congress.

Earlier this month, the Queen traveled to Geneva for the “Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative” meeting.

Queen Letizia has also participated in several events closer to home focused on healthcare and education.

King Felipe today tapped Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to continue leading Spain’s government.

Rajoy’s Popular Party has won two elections, but not enough to form a government on its own.

In recent weeks, Socialists decided to allow Rajoy to stay in power, breaking a months-long political stalemate.

Yesterday and today, the King met with the leaders of numerous parties to set the stage for a vote in parliament.

The King has summoned political leaders to Zarzuela Palace several times in recent months amid the impasse.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia gave one of this year’s Princess of Asturias Award to the United Nations effort to combat climate change.

The Princess of Asturias Awards are among the highest honors given out by the Spanish Royal Family.

The King and Queen’s daughter Leonor, as heir to the throne, is Princess of Asturias, but too young to preside over the ceremony at the Campoamor Theater in the Principality of Asturias.

Top negotiators of the recent Paris agreement on climate were on hand to accept the honor last week.

King Felipe also used the ceremonies to call for optimism and national pride amid political uncertainty and national malaise.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia presided over the impressive Fiesta Nacional military parade in Madrid last week, and then a reception at the Royal Palace.

The events are staples in Spain, but the new King and Queen have tried to include more people in the festivities.

Their Majesties — along with their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia — arrived in their ceremonial Rolls Royce surrounded by Royal Guard horses.

While the crowd was hoping to catch a glimpse or the royals, troops and fighter jets, and avoid the rain, political figures were looking for clues.

Parties have been unable to form a government after two elections, but Socialists may abstain in the coming weeks and allow the conservative Popular Party to keep governing.

Media outlets and lawmakers were studying interactions between different leaders to see how things may develop.

Pablo Iglesias, the leader of left-wing insurgent party Podemos, did not attend the festivities. He has in the past expressed opposition to the monarchy.

Also not there were the regional presidents of the Basque Country, Navarra and Catalonia, all of which want to distance themselves from the Royal Family for political reasons.