Tag: Queen Sofia

Done With Summit, Back In The Shop

King Juan Carlos is — using his own words — going back into to the shop. Doctors will soon perform yet another hip surgery on the Monarch, who has had difficulty walking.

Don Juan Carlos went under the knife earlier this year after his fall in Botswana. This time, however, doctors will treat his left hip.

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

The King said he delayed the surgery to make room for this weekend’s Cádiz Summit of Ibero-American heads of state and government. His Majesty has been deeply involved in hosting the event.

“Without a doubt the Cádiz Constitution provided the seed for ideas of liberty that influence so many European and American constitutions,” the King said speaking about the short-lived but important 1812 document.

Don Juan Carlos also spoke about the economic and social progress being made by many Latin American countries in contrast with the pain in Europe.

“Our sights are on you,” he told the leaders assembled. “You have made great efforts to be where you are and we can’t but recognize it and look for shared experiences.”

Queen Sofia tours the sites with the spouses and guests of Ibero-American leaders.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King has made wooing Latin America a pillar of his agenda to help the Spanish economy. He recently toured several countries there, and today hosted a Royal Palace lunch for Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

His Majesty awarded President Rousseff the Collar of Isabella the Catholic, Spain’s highest honor. And he encouraged Brazilian companies to invest in Spain.

The next Ibero-American summit will be in Panama. This year’s may be the last one hosted by King Juan Carlos in Spain.

King, Royals Headline Ibero-American Summit

The Spanish Royal Family will be in the spotlight this week as it hosts the 22nd Ibero-American summit in the southwestern port city of Cádiz.

Today King Juan Carlos met with Dominican President Danilo Medina, the first Head of State to arrive at the gathering, which mostly consists of Spanish and Latin American leaders.

Meeting at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Ecuatorian President Rafael Correa. Later on, he will host a lunch for outgoing Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

Then, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias will attend official summit ceremonies. The Queen is also scheduled to host a meeting with first ladies during the weekend.

Queen Sofia speaking in Vienna.

Earlier this week Prince Felipe presided over a meeting of young people from Ibero-American countries. The event was meant to include youth in finding solutions to regional problems.

King Juan Carlos is hoping for a successful meeting with the goal of strengthening ties between Spain and Latin America, a key part of the country’s economic growth strategy.

Queen Sues Cheating Website

Queen Sofia is suing the website Ashley Madison for pasting her face on another body and using it in an ad for the dating service, according to numerous media reports.

Ashley Madison, a branch of Canadian company Avid Life Media, encourages people to have affairs facilitated by the site.

The media reports indicate that Her Majesty is suing the company with private money.

Queen Sofia giving out King Jaime I awards in Valencia.

Recently, the Royal Household expressed discontent at Ryanair using the Queen for one of its ads after she flew on the airline on a rush visit to her brother in London.

King Juan Carlos did not take legal action for another Ashley Madison ad using his likeness.

Queen Sofia Visits Bolivia; King Gets Rap

Queen Sofia has spent much of the week crisscrossing the South American nation of Bolivia, a source of immense mineral wealth for Spain during imperial times.

Queen Sofia with indigenous Bolivians and in local clothes.

Her Majesty met with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who thanked the Queen for Spain’s efforts at helping his country.

The two also signed an agreement aimed at resolving the controversy over the discovery of coins from a sunken Spanish ship. Spain went to court to obtain possession of the valuable treasure.

But because the coins were minted in the imperial mining city of Potosí, Spain will allow Bolivia to host its own display of the find.

Morales, known as one of Latin America’s most outspoken advocates of indigenous rights, greeted the Spanish Monarch with warmth.

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

During the trip, Queen Sofia visited development projects backed by Spain, including the Queen Sofia Foundation.

King’s gets a rap

Last week, young students visited King Juan Carlos to present projects depicting what the Monarchy means to them.

One of the students sand a rap for the King, which has become somewhat viral in Spain.

The contest was backed by the Spanish Institutional Foundation, a non-profit group which promotes the Monarchy among youth.

Prince Felipe Takes To The Streets

Members of the Royal Family stunned crowds today by deploying at different locations around Madrid.

Queen Sofia, Princess Letizia and Infanta Elena helped take donations for the Spanish Red Cross at various points in the city.

Prince Felipe, in a move that wowed many observers, walked around Madrid visiting his relatives and making a contribution.

The so-called Day of Flags is a top fundraiser for the Spanish Red Cross.

Queen Sofia and her son Prince Felipe at the head table.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Queen Visits Flood Victims

Queen Sofia met with emergency workers and victims of the recent floods in southern Spain last week.

Queen Sofia with the mayor of Villanueva del Rosario and other officials.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Places around Spain have had a tough year. First with heat, drought and fire, and more recently torrential rains and flooding.

The Queen visited parts of Andalucía and Murcia, including a helicopter ride. Comforting people affected by disaster is one of her top strengths.

Queen Sofia with children at Villanueva del Rosario.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

King Meets With Catalonian Leader

King Juan Carlos met with Catalonian President Artur Mas during the Monarch’s trip to Barcelona today.

It was a much anticipated — and in some quarters dreaded — meeting between both men. It comes amid Mas calling for early elections in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and fanning pro-independence flames.

King Juan Carlos with Mas sitting to his right.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

The King traveled to the Catalonian capital to hand out the Count of Barcelona award to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Count of Barcelona is one of King Juan Carlos’ titles.

His Majesty, who had already released an open letter calling for unity among all Spaniards, expressed optimism about the country’s economic future.

He called the economic and political situation “grave” but said Catalonians and all Spaniards “are capable of overcoming these circumstances.” He also spoke in catalán for good measure.

Earlier this week the King was in New York attending the annual meeting of former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative, where he met with other heads of state and world leaders.

King Juan Carlos speaks with former President Bill Clinton.

Meanwhile, members of the Royal Family have resumed a busy agenda. Today, for example, Queen Sofia attended a gathering of backers of the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid.

Queen Sofia at the museum.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

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

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

King Meets with Monti; Queen on Vacation

King Juan Carlos welcomed Italian Premier Mario Monti at Zarzuela Palace today.

King Juan Carlos with Prime Minister Monti at Zarzuela Palace.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Monti stopped in Spain as part of a tour of several European countries. He’s seeking solidarity for measures to beef up the troubled Euro currency.

Spain and Italy are among the countries that are most under pressure from financial markets.

Meanwhile, Queen Sofia and other members of the Royal Family have been in Palma de Mallorca on vacation.

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Updated: Royalty Arrives At Olympics

Queen Sofia rose to her feet and waved at Spanish athletes during the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics.

Queen Sofia at Buckingham Palace.
© Agencia EFE

Queen Sofia attended a reception with Queen Elizabeth II, a distant relative, at Buckingham Palace before heading to the Olympic Stadium.

She also inaugurated the opening of the Spanish House for the events.

Queen Sofia with Spanish Sports Minister José Ignacio Wert and Madrid Mayor Ana Botella
© Agencia EFE

Yesterday, the Queen presided over a reception at the Spanish Embassy in London, where she was accompanied by King Juan Carlos’ sister, Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz.

© Agencia EFE