King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia made a joint appearance last week at the Madrid Royal Palace.
King Felipe’s parents opened a new exhibit of royal collections there, part of Patrimonio Nacional’s effort to put more artifacts on display at the palace.
Gossip has long surrounded King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, but the two have attended several events together in recent months.
King Juan Carlos is in Cuba this week to attend funeral services for former Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Spain has long had ties with its former colony and, now that the island is becoming more open, Spain wants to secure its position there.
Don Juan Carlos has been a point-person for King Felipe in Latin America. Don Felipe used to be that point-person when he was Prince of Asturias.
King Felipe, meanwhile, has spent recent days on a state visit to Portugal, a key Spanish ally.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia have made several stops in the country and met with several local and national leaders.
Tomorrow the King is scheduled to meet with the president of the European Commission in Madrid.
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.
LOS BORBONES 