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.
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 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.
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.
Before visiting the ambassador, King Felipe sent French President Francois Hollande his condolences.
“We feel very close to the French people and we reaffirm out unity and commitment to continue fighting with determination against those who, in an inhuman way, threaten our values,” he wrote.
U.S. President Obama traveled to Spain over the weekend. Spanish leaders and members of the Royal Family had been waiting for years for an official visit.
King Felipe took the rare step of welcoming Obama after touchdown.
However, the president had to cut his trip short because of the recent shootings in Dallas. A planned stop in Seville and a meal at the Madrid Royal Palace were cancelled.
Leaders from both countries gather at the Hall of Columns at the Madrid Royal Palace.
King Felipe gave the president a copy of Don Quixote signed by himself and Queen Letizia.
LOS BORBONES 