Tag: Danilo Medina

King, Royals Headline Ibero-American Summit

The Spanish Royal Family will be in the spotlight this week as it hosts the 22nd Ibero-American summit in the southwestern port city of Cádiz.

Today King Juan Carlos met with Dominican President Danilo Medina, the first Head of State to arrive at the gathering, which mostly consists of Spanish and Latin American leaders.

Meeting at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Ecuatorian President Rafael Correa. Later on, he will host a lunch for outgoing Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

Then, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias will attend official summit ceremonies. The Queen is also scheduled to host a meeting with first ladies during the weekend.

Queen Sofia speaking in Vienna.

Earlier this week Prince Felipe presided over a meeting of young people from Ibero-American countries. The event was meant to include youth in finding solutions to regional problems.

King Juan Carlos is hoping for a successful meeting with the goal of strengthening ties between Spain and Latin America, a key part of the country’s economic growth strategy.

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Preparing For The Throne

Prince Felipe was in the Dominican Republic this week for the swearing-in of new Dominican President Danilo Medina.

© Agencia EFE

Prince Felipe has been representing the Kingdom at such ceremonies at Ibero-American countries since 1996. It’s a means of getting officials, particularly throughout Latin America, used to the future Spanish King.

During his visit, Prince Felipe also met with outgoing President Leonel Fernández, who was in Madrid earlier this year.

© Agencia EFE

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy met King Juan Carlos at Marivent Palace, where members of the Royal Family are vacationing.

King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Rajoy meeting at Marivent Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Busy Week For King Juan Carlos

King Juan Carlos has been busy this week while his wife, Queen Sofia, tours the Philippines. His Majesty has been walking slowly but insisting on keeping a full and active agenda.

Don Juan Carlos in uniform with Defense Minister Pedro Morenés.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Today Don Juan Carlos handed out Royal Dispatches to graduates of the Air Force Academy in Murcia. The King has always been close with the military. Not only is he Commander in Chief of the Spanish armed forces, but he also served in all branches during his education during the Franco years.

Meeting at Zarzuela Palace.

This week King Juan Carlos met with U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, who currently serves as head of U.S. forces in Europe and NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.

Zarzuela Palace also was host to Dominican Republic President Leonel Antonio Fernández and his wife, Vice President-elect Margarita Cedeño de Fernández.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

In August, Prince Felipe will visit the Dominican Republic to assist the inauguration of President-elect Danilo Medina. It’s part of the Monarchy’s effort to retain close relations with Latin American countries.