King Meets With Macron, Queen Visits Paraguay

King Felipe was in Paris last week to attend the Paris Peace Forum, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

The Paris Peace Forum is an opportunity for world leaders to discuss pressing matters. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was there, but it’s unclear whether she met with His Majesty.

Queen’s Trip

Earlier this month, Queen Letizia made a quick trip to Paraguay to showcase and review Spanish aid and cooperation efforts.

First Lady Silvana López welcomed Her Majesty at the airport. The Queen then met with local leaders, Spanish diplomats, local artisans and members of the indigenous community.

This is Queen Letizia’s 6th cooperation trip. She has also traveled to Honduras, El Salvador, Senegal, the Dominican Republic and Mozambique during previous tours.

King Meets With French President Macron

King Felipe met late last week with French President Emmanual Macron at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

macron_escaleras — © Spanish Royal Household

The French leader was in the Spanish capital to also meet with new Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to discuss, among other things, EU immigration policy.

His Majesty this month also met with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno, whose trip to Europe has sparked debate about the fate of Wikileaks leader Julian Assange, who has been holed up at Ecuador’s British embassy for years.

The King had an audience with the new head of Spain’s conservative Popular Party, Pablo Casado, also in recent days.

The full agenda preceded vacation season in Spain. Members of the Royal Family will spent at least some time at Marivent Palace in Mallorca.

However, scandal surrounding King Juan Carlos and a former friend, has upended plans for a unified getaway.

The Royal Household is blaming a minor health problem for King Felipe’s father staying away from Mallorca and planned sailing.

King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia Honor Helmut Kohl

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.

reyes_juancarlos_sofia_helmut_kohl_20170701_01 — Their Majesties arriving in the European Parliament. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

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.

reyes_juancarlos_sofia_helmut_kohl_20170701_14 — The King and Queen sitting behind former U.S. President Bill Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and new French President Emmanuel Macron. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Kohl was a major booster of the European Union and Don Juan Carlos helped shepherd Spain joining the block.