King Felipe VI has begun his official stay in Mallorca with traditional audiences for the Balearic authorities. The monarch will combine institutional events with two lightning trips to South America to attend presidential inaugurations.
King Felipe VI has started his summer agenda in Mallorca, where he will remain for several weeks alternating official commitments with the traditional family stay at the Marivent Palace. The monarch arrived on the island ahead of Queen Letizia, who delayed her arrival after attending the 50th anniversary of the Adolfo Domínguez brand in Ourense.
The king's first audiences took place at the recently renovated Royal Palace of Almudaina, led by the president of the Govern, Marga Prohens. This iconic building will reopen to the public on July 29, once the royal visit has concluded.
On July 29, Felipe VI will hold the traditional summer meeting with the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. And on August 4, one of the most crowded events will take place: the reception for Balearic civil society, which brings together institutional representatives and professionals from various sectors. An event that symbolizes the close relationship between the Royal House and Mallorca.
Queen Letizia, for her part, will not have her first official act on the island until Sunday, August 2. That day she will close the Atlàntida Film Fest, a festival that started 16 years ago as Spain's first online film festival and has become established in the Balearic cultural agenda.
Two express trips to South America
From Mallorca, the monarch will be obliged to pack his bags on two occasions for South America. The first of these trips will be this Monday, when he will travel to Peru to represent Spain at the inauguration of the new president, Keiko Fujimori. The president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has also confirmed his presence at this event.
The second express trip will take place for the same reason, but this time the destination will be Colombia. Felipe VI will attend the inauguration of the new president of the country, Abelardo de la Espriella. To fulfil this diplomatic commitment, the monarch will modify his official agenda and postpone his participation in the sailing championships that bear his name, where he will debut the Hispania sailboat.
Nautical tradition and family
King Felipe VI traditionally competes each summer at the helm in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE de Vela in Mallorca, one of the most prestigious nautical events in the Mediterranean. It will be on August 8 when he concludes the competition, presiding over the traditional trophy presentation. The monarch first competed in this regatta in 1984, when he was only 16 years old.
Before the king's arrival on the island, Queen Sofía was already at the Marivent Palace with her daughter, Infanta Cristina. In a summer marked for the emeritus by the memory of her sister Irene of Greece and her cousin Tatiana Radziwill, it will be especially important to be surrounded by the affection of her children and grandchildren, who will visit her in the coming weeks.
The first to arrive will be Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, who are looking forward to some well-deserved days of rest after the former completed her military training and the latter finished her school year. The stay at Marivent presents itself as a breather for the royal family before resuming institutional activities in the autumn.
For the residents of Palma, the presence of the kings means an increase in security in the Marivent area and heightened activity at the Almudaina Palace. Additionally, the reception for Balearic civil society on August 4 is an event open to representatives from all sectors, who will have the opportunity to share some time with the monarchs.
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