Tag: Princess Letizia

Presidents Gather Amid Economic, Social Pressures

King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe of Asturias met with leaders of Spain’s autonomous communities at the Spanish Senate building today.

The meeting, of course also attended by Spanish government leaders, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, was especially important because of disagreements about the Spanish budget, funding for the country’s region’s and pro-independence rumblings in Catalonia.

Gathering in front of the Spanish Senate building in Madrid.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Elsewhere in Madrid, King Juan Carlos gave Nueva Economía Fórum awards to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Portuguese President Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, both on behalf of their respective countries.

The Fórum facilitates debate between social, business and political leaders. President Napolitano also met with the King at Zarzuela Palace.

King Juan Carlos at the head table.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia then rushed to the airport for their official visit to Panama. Their agenda includes a visit to the Panama Canal expansion project.

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

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Ecuador during their time in Latin America.

Crown Debuts New Website, Media Presence

The Spanish Royal Household has overhauled its website, getting rid of an outdated series of pages for a more sleek and modern look.

The new website is not only an effort to update the Royal Palace’s internet presence, but also reach out to many Spaniards who have expressed skepticism about the Monarchy, especially young people who may not be as aware of King Juan Carlos’ role in the transition to democracy.

The new site includes new pictures of the Royal Family, information about the Crown’s role in Spanish government and society, and videos of pivotal moments in history.

King Juan Carlos, Prince Felipe and Infanta Leonor, who could someday become Queen.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prominent are pictures and videos of the King and Prince Felipe swearing allegiance to the Spanish Constitution. The King’s 1981 message to the country amid a coup attempt is also included.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, and daughters in their home near Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Cristina García Rodero

Charismatic and tender Queen Sofia has often been a powerful weapon for the Monarchy. Now they’re also deploying Princess Letizia. The website includes a photo spread focusing on the Princess by award-winning photographer Cristina García Rodero.

Royals Encourage Spanish Athletes; Denied Entry At Olympic Site

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia attended the 2012 Olympics closing ceremonies.

Queen Sofia greets Spanish basketball player Felipe Reyes.
© Agencia EFE

In the days leading up to yesterday’s festivities, the Prince and Princess of Asturias joined Queen Sofia in visiting Spanish athletes, touring the campus and speaking with journalists.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia at the media center.
© Comité Olímpico Español

In an embarrassing moment that is making worldwide news, Olympics staff members refused the Royal Family entry to a restricted section at one of the venues. They wanted to greet Nico Garcia for a silver medal in Taekwondo.

© Agencia EFE

Click here for more coverage.

Media reports indicate that while staffers appeared rude to Her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses, the Borbones took it all in stride.

Prince, Princess Show Commitment to Youth

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia yesterday presided over the third Impulsa Forum, hosted by the Prince of Girona Foundation.

Prince Felipe speaking at the forum.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Don Felipe spoke about the problem of high dropout rates and the crisis youth unemployment. The foundation’s mission is geared toward youth empowerment and solving social problems.

Prince Felipe is not only Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne, but also Prince of Girona, the customary heir to the throne of Aragon, which includes modern day Catalonia.

The Prince of Girona Foundation is an entity for good but also a vehicle of increasing Don Felipe’s profile in Catalonia, which tends to have a more republican tilt.

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

Prince and Princess Letizia participated in networking events, enjoyed youth performances and visited a Scratch Workshop, which follows a method developed at MIT to promote creative thinking.

The magazine Hola, which tracks the Royal Family, noted the commitment by the Prince and Princess to youth empowerment.

Business award to Javier Agüera, principal at GeeksPhone.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Their Royal Highnesses also gave out awards to young people who have made a difference in various spheres of Spanish society, including the arts and business.

Award to Edgar Vinyals Roja for his work on behalf of people with mental disabilities.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Also this week, Infanta Elana presided over a meeting of Spain’s Paralympic Committee. One of the topics, of course, was the upcoming London games, the Royal Household said.

Infanta Elena at the head table.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Plus, King Juan Carlos awarded 127 diplomas to military officers for training to serve in international and cooperation posts, including the NATO alliance.

King Juan Carlos with military officers.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Princess Letizia Incognito

Princess Letizia took to the streets of Madrid for some below-the-radar shopping while her daughters were in school. Hola magazine took note of her cutting edge fashion.

Meanwhile, her husband, Prince Felipe, yesterday presided over a dinner marking a meeting of the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union at the Spanish Supreme Court.

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

In July, Queen Sofia is scheduled to visit the Philippines.

Prince, Princess Lobby for Stronger U.S. Ties

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia visited New York, New Jersey and Boston last week to call for stronger ties between the U.S. and Europe, and highlight the importance of Spain in American history and its future.

The week ended on a high note with an appearance with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the end of the United States – Spain Council’s forum in Jersey City.

Prince Felipe and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Their Royal Highneses met with Hispanic luminaries, Spanish business officials and other leaders, including the heads of media giants Telemundo and Univision, to boost Spain’s image in the U.S. and relations between both countries, which took a hit during the debate over the war in Iraq.

Post-Franco Spain has sought to boost its influence in the world, with a focus on Latin America. It appears the Royal Family and other leaders hope to make further inroads in the U.S. through the growing influence of Hispanics.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia with top Obama administration officials, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Also, U.S.-Spain Council Honorary Chairman Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

During a speech at Harvard University in Boston titled “Spain: An American Nation” as in other events throughout the week, Prince Felipe highlighted the common histories between Spain and the U.S., and the growth of Hispanic economic, linguistic and cultural influence.

“I see Spain not only as a European, Mediterranean or American country, but one with universal reach,” he said. “The Spanish Monarchy,” he added, “remains profoundly committed to the cause of Democracy in Latin America.”

Princess Letizia at New York’s Emily Dickinson School.
© Agencia EFE

Royal Whirlwind, Prince In New York, King Near Gibraltar

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia arrived in the U.S. yesterday and visited IESE Business School’s campus in New York today.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Like his father, Prince Felipe spoke about Spain’s ongoing economic troubles. He touted recent reforms and called for “more Europe” to solve the continental crisis. He said the monetary union was “weak” and suggested the need for a stronger pact.

Their Royal Highnesses participated in a business colloquium and met with students on campus. IESE is an outpost of the University of Navarra and the first European business school to set up a permanent facility in New York.

The Prince and Princess of Asturias are also scheduled to visit Harvard University this week.

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

Just yesterday, Prince Felipe was in Morocco. He met with Prince Moulay Rachid and business leaders from both countries.

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

Meanwhile, King Juan Carlos visited Civil Guard facilities near Gibraltar, as scheduled.

Some critics in that British outpost are calling to Monarch’s visit as a hostile act. Fishermen wanting access to disputed waters are calling on the King to intervene on their behalf. Spanish forces have already escorted them on fishing trips.

Queen Sofia is holding down the fort in Madrid. She presided over a meeting of the Royal Patronage for Disabilities and assisted an event organized by the Indian Embassy. She went with her sister Princess Irene.

Queen Sofia with the Indian ambassador to Spain.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince, Princess Tour Portugal

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia on Friday finished a three day official visit to Portugal where they met with political, business, scientific and cultural leaders.

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

Their Royal Highnesses arrived on Wednesday and visited Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and his wife at Belém palace.

Delegations from both countries then worked to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both Iberian countries.

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

Portuguese leaders also hosted an official dinner for Don Felipe and his wife at Quelúz Palace.

Prince and Princess with Portuguese Prime Minister Passos Coelho and his wife.

The Prince called Portugal a “beloved country” and mentioned his family’s ties to the place. His grandfather, Don Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, the Count of Barcelona, lived in exile in Portugal during the Franco years.

King Back to Work, Again

After two recent operations, King Juan Carlos is back at work making limited appearances.

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

Today His Majesty met with Pascual Sala, president of Spain’s Constitutional Court. Sala handed the King decisions from 2011.

Members of the FIA automobile association also visited Zarzuela Palace today to present Don Juan Carlos with a gold medal for his support of motor sports.

© Agencia EFE

While the King has other appearances planned, most of them are by other members of the Royal Family. Today Queen Sofia participated in the swearing in of 49 new members of the Royal Guard.

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

And Felipe and Letizia, Prince and Princess of Asturias, participated in the inauguration of new facilities for the National Museum of Science and Technology in A Coruña.

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

Yesterday Infanta Elana, Duchess of Lugo, was on hand at the inauguration of new equestrian facilities for the Civil Guard. The Princess has been making numerous appearances on behalf of the Royal Family recently.

Royal Highnesses Step In for Majesties

The press and the Spanish public are making much of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia presiding over the traditional lunch at the Royal Palace in Madrid yesterday to commemorate the Cervantes Prize and its winner.

While the King and Queen usually lead the event, recent events have contributed to the Prince and Princess of Asturias taking over, at least for this year.

Prince Felipe stepping in for his father
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Prince Felipe called it “special and exceptional” for their Majesties to be missing the event, but also the prize’s winner, Chilean Poet Nicanor Parra, because of delicate health.

The Cervantes award, named after the author of Don Quixote, includes a 125,000 euro check. It is among the most prestigious literary prizes in the world.

Click here for video from RTVE. Click here for a slideshow from El Pais.

Their Royal Highnesses will also preside over the award ceremony at the University of Alcalá on Monday.

Separately, it appears that Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, is presiding over more events on behalf of the Royal Family. This week she accompanied her mother, the Queen, to the MAPFRE Foundation awards. MAPFRE is a Spanish international insurance company.

She also presided over the first Paralympic Evening in advance of the London games. Infanta Elena is the president of honor of the Spanish committee.

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