Tag: NATO

Biden, NATO Leaders Get Royal Welcome

King Felipe and Queen Letizia mobilized to welcome U.S. President Biden and other NATO members for this week’s summit in Madrid.

Their Majesties greeted delegation heads at the Madrid Royal Palace Throne Room and then offered a dinner.

Spanish Royal Household

The King and Queen were particularly focused on President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

There was widespread concern in Spain when the U.S. president failed to call or meet with the king or prime minister for weeks after his inauguration last year.

And during the Obama administration, the president delayed and then had to cut short an official visit to Madrid.

Former President Trump invited King Felipe and Queen Letizia for a state dinner at the White House but then the pandemic hit.

Spanish Royal Household

This week King Felipe welcomed President Biden at the airport and then held a brief meeting at the Royal Palace.

Spanish Royal Household

Queen Letizia hosted First Lady Jill Biden ahead of the summit and they toured several spots, including a center for Ukranian refugees.

Spanish Royal Household

Queen Letizia today led a tour of spouses to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Idelfonso in the Segovia area and the Royal Glassware Factory. They went on high-speed train.

The group also went to the Reina Sofia Museum to see Picasso’s Guernica.

Spanish Royal Household

King Felipe has hosted several meetings at Zarzuela Palace with leaders attending the summit.

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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.