King Felipe has strengthened his calls for Spanish unity amid ongoing talks in region of Catalonia about secession.
Pro-independence candidates recently won elections to the Catalan Parliament, but failed to get a majority of overall votes.
His Majesty addressed the issue indirectly during remarks at events surrounding the prestigious Princess of Asturias awards — formerly knows at the Prince of Asturias Awards.
This week the King and Queen watched as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also indirectly rejection secessionist sentiments during a Madrid Royal Palace gathering.
At Mount Vernon, they visited Washington’s tomb and gave curators a copy of the first American ambassador to Spain’s credentials, signed by the first president.
Their Majesties then went to the White House to visit President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The president said during brief remarks, “The Spanish people have hosted my family. I hope that I can travel to Spain before the end of my presidency. There’s no country that I’d enjoy more for a visit.”
The Spanish government has long been asking President Obama to visit the country.
“We are deeply committed to maintaining a relationship with a strong and unified Spain,” said the president, making a veiled reference to separatist sentiments in Catalonia.
The King said, “I follow in the footsteps of my father. He’s had a longstanding relationship with many Presidents of the United States.”
Queen Letizia had changed into an evening outfit for a reception with the Spanish community in Washington, including famed chef José Andrés.
The next morning King Felipe met with U.S. business leaders at the Spanish ambassador’s residence. He asked them to trust Spanish stability and economic growth.
They King and Queen took some time to greet workers and students who were gathered on campus.
On Thursday, the royal couple flew to Miami for a conference on Spanish in the U.S., and a Spanish film festival.
On Friday the trip ends in St. Augustine, where Their Majesties will mark the 450th anniversary of the former Spanish city.
They will give Ford Motor Co. CEO the Bernardo de Gálvez award. named for a Spanish colonial leader who helped the U.S. gain independence from Britain.
The AFD Group, a company of Russian doll-makers, recently unveiled one of Queen Letizia.
The company, which has made dolls of numerous celebrities and public figures, displayed their creation during a gathering in Spain this weekend.
Photo courtesy AFD Group.
The doll captures the Queen’s look during events surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton in London.
News outlets around the world have reported on the doll, and also noted that it will not be for sale.
Back to school
Separately, last week King Felipe and Queen Letizia drove their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, to their first day of school after summer break.
Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish Crown, celebrated her first communion at school last week along with family.
Pictures of the actual ceremony have yet to emerge, but members of the Royal Family posed for the waiting press outside.
Present were King Felipe and Queen Letizia, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and Infanta Sofia, among others.
Separately, members of the Royal Family this weekend celebrated the first communion for the children of King Felipe’s cousin, the son of Infanta Pilar, King Juan Carlos’ sister.
Her Majesty decided against wearing a more formal, black dress and mantilla on her hair as queens have done for such ceremonies, and as Queen Sofia did in the picture below.
Recently she and King Felipe dressed down to attend a Madrid scientific monologue contest, above, and the King celebrated Spanish victory in a basketball tournament, below.
The new tiara, by Spanish jeweler Ansorena, is made of diamonds and pearls, and includes a Fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the House of Bourbon.
Many of the jewels associated with Spain’s Royal Family have been sold or lost over the years, amid war and political turmoil.
Still, beyond a crown and scepter used to symbolize the monarchy, some tiaras have remained. Plus, Queen Sofia incorporated some more from her families.
A bigger Fleur-delis tiara also from Ansorena was a gift from King Alfonso XIII to Queen Victoria Eugenia in the early 1900’s.
Queen Victoria Eugenia.
Both Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia have often worn a floral tiara that belonged to the Royal Family but left the family, according to reports.
Former Spanish dictator Franco bought it for Queen Sofia’s wedding to King Juan Carlos.
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.
LOS BORBONES 