Spanish MEP Pablo Iglesias, the head of populist-leftist party Podemos, broke with protocol today when he handed King Felipe a box set of the hit show Game of Thrones.
His Majesty was visiting European institutions in Brussels, and met with a number of Spanish representattives there.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia were beginning the first state visit of their young reign when a German airliner traveling from Barcelona crashed in France.
As a result, they suspended the state visit and instead focused on responding to the incident.
“We would like to express our most sincere condolences, from the bottom of our hearts, to families that have lost loved ones,” said the King at Elysee Palace in Paris.
King Felipe highlighted Spain’s role in the international arena and called for unity amid strong divisions at home, particularly from Catalan separatism.
Don Felipe, speaking at the United Nations last week, noted the soon to be celebrated 40-year anniversary of the Spanish transition.
The King said the transition “allowed us to pass from a dictatorship to a politics of freedom and human rights, marked by a commitment to historic reconciliation and a spirit of coexistence.”
King Felipe, marking the first address to the General Assembly of his young reign, said Spain had a “profound sense of equality, and rejects fanaticism, violence, intolerance and loves piece.”
Even though the King’s speech as international in nature, it’s hard for observers not to attempt ties to the current controversy in Spain.
The Spanish government either helps write or approves His Majesty’s messages. It’s the same government calling for unity amid separatism, and rejecting the Catalan Government’s planned referendum on statehood or independence.
Noting a version of Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Guernica, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, which was particularly harsh on Catalonia and is seen as the true beginning on World War II, King Felipe called for “more unity against fanaticism, intolerance and barbarism.”
He called for “more unity to fight poverty, misery and marginalization. More unity for education and health care for all. And more unity to defend with resolve the dignity of all human beings.”
Spanish Royals have worked to strengthen relations with the U.S. and have invited President Obama to Spain numerous times.
King Juan Carlos met with the U.S. President at the White House in 2010 and Fist Lady Michelle Obama has visited the royals at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid and Marivent Palace in Mallorca. But no formal state visit has been planned on either side of the Atlantic.
During his speech at the climate summit today, Don Felipe spoke about the need to tackle climate change and Spain’s efforts at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He said countries could not afford to wait because a small rise in global temperatures could put human lives and societies at risk.
Yesterday King Felipe, who studied international relations at Georgetown University, met with Fulbright Scholars at the Institute for International Education.
He spoke about U.S. political and historical ties with Spain, and about shared values of freedom and Democracy. Plus, he highlighted economic ties amid the ongoing crisis in Europe.
Don Felipe also met with King Hussein of Jordan to discuss ongoing troubles in the Middle East.
He and Queen Letizia atogether met with Spaniards working at the U.N. and Spanish scientists working in the U.S.
Queen Letizia took some time yesterday to visit the Dos Puentes School in Harlem to promote bilingual education.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia offered the family of Banco Santander SA Chairman Emilio Botín their condolences after his death this week.
Don Felipe told reporters that Botín made Santander into “a global bank,” and called him a “great man” who has “done much for Spain.”
The King made his comments during a Supreme Court ceremony to open the 2014-2015 judicial year.
The judicial agenda continues to include the possible trial of the King’s sister Infanta Cristina stemming from an ongoing corruption case against her husband. Both have denied wrongdoing.
The issue stems from his leadership of a non-profit company that obtained contracts with local governments. Judges specializing in corruption, El País reported, will review her potential involvement.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with their young daughters Princess Leonor of Asturias and Infanta Sofia, then headed over to the Congress Palace.
Also there were Queen Sofia, Infanta Elena and other members of the King’s Family. King Juan Carlos did not attend the proclamation to not overshadow his son.
Parliamentarians cheered the traditional “Viva España, Viva El Rey!”
The King swore to uphold the Spanish constitution, spoke in favor of human rights and democracy, and offered a strong defense of the Monarchy.
“The independence of the Crown, its political neutrality and its search for unity amid ideological differences, allow it to contribute to the stability of our political system,” the King said.
The King also alluded to ongoing nationalist and separatist rumblings in certain communities. “Unity is not uniformity,” he said, in an effort to honor Spain’s diversity.
“In a Spain that is united and diverse, based on the equality of all Spaniards, and the solidarity among its different communities and respect for the rule of law, we all fit,” said the new King.
Don Felipe said improving Spain’s economic situation was paramount, and stressed the need for Spain to be a leader in promoting a strong and united Europe.
U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement of congratulations this morning.
“I look forward to working closely with King Felipe VI and continuing to strengthen this bond in the years to come. As Spain celebrates this transition and looks ahead to the future, the American people celebrate along with the people of Spain,” he said.
King Felipe is adopting a Royal Standard slightly different from his father’s. It lacks the Cross of Burgundy and the background is maroon.
LOS BORBONES 