On Wednesday, September 12, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias attended the opening of the XV Congreso Internacional de la Asociación Española de Americanistas (AEA) held at the University of Deusto in Bilbao.

According to the official website for the royal house of Spain, the theme of today’s meeting is:

“… ‘America in the Memory: Commemorations and Reunions’, brings together Spanish, European and Latin American specialists, in order to discuss and reflect on the history of America, as well as to allow participants to present their research. 

The meeting presents results of research on different topics in order to promote a broad and trans-disciplinary debate, opening a scientific forum that will help facilitate a space for reflection that allows participants to share and discuss strategies of analysis, theoretical frameworks, models and methodologies applied to the American culture and history.”

Source and photo courtesy of: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain held an audience this afternoon at the Palacio de La Zarzuela with the Attorney General of the State, Mr. Eduardo Torres-Dulce.

Meanwhile in San Lorenzo de El Escorial Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias was at the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial to tour an exhibition, “… organized by National Heritage Board on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the workshop schools and national heritage employment…”

For more information about today’s event please click here (in Spanish).

Sources and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey and Patrimonionacional.es

On September 5, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias participated in the inauguration of the Congreso Ibero-Americano de las Lenguas en la Educación y en la Cultura.

The event, held at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones de Castilla y León in Salamanca, was organized by the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, in the “… framework of their respective programs for the strengthening of the languages of Latin America in education.”

During today’s event the prince gave a speech noting the importance of languages, education, teachers and a bunch of other stuff that you are probably not all that interested in reading about.   🙂

 Click here to view more photos from today’s inauguration.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey.

On the morning of August 30, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain visited the Centro de Gestión del Tráfico (CGT) in Madrid.  The old king was accompanied by the Director General of Traffic, Ms. Maria Segui, and Interior Minister, Mr. Jorge Diaz to name a few.

During his visit to the CGT, the old king was given a tour of the facility and learned about the “… traffic management systems from the command post…” 

Yeah, it was an exciting day.   🙂

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey.

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain attended a luncheon with members of the Consejo Empresarial para la Competitividad (CEC) in Madrid.

Guests at the luncheon included the President of BBVA, Mr. Francisco González, the President of the CEC and Telefonica, Mr. Cesar Alierta, and the President of Iberdrola, Mr. Ignacio Sánchez Galán to name a few.

According to the Spanish royal court the CEC is:

“… a forum for analysis and opinion formed by Telefónica, El Corte Inglés, handle, Grupo Barceló, Banco Santander, Repsol, Acciona, La Caixa, BBVA, Inditex, Grupo Planeta, Mapfre, ACS, Ferrovial, Havas Media Group, Mercadona, Iberdrola and the family business Institute.

Its main objective is to come up with proposals that will help the recovery of the Spanish economy, the improvement of competitiveness and strengthening international confidence in our country.”

And, finally, Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena of Spain will attend the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London this evening.

Source and photo courtesy of CDSMER.

On Thursday, August 23, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain visited the Centro de Emergencias 112 de la Comunidad de Madrid in Pozuelo de Alarcón.

The purpose of His Majesty’s visit was to “… learn first hand the operation of emergency services and the work performed… “ at the facility. His Majesty was accompanied the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Jorge Fernández Díaz, the Delegate of the Government in Madrid, Ms. Cristina Cifuentes, and the Mayor of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Ms. Paloma Adrados to name a few.

Also during his visit the old king along with his delegation toured the massive emergency facility as well as mingled with employees.

Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Poor King Juan Carlos I of Spain… the old guy just can’t get seem to get a break these days.  First, he received a nasty black-eye last year after walking into a door.  Then last April he broke his hip whilst in Botswana killing innocent Elephants with his “alleged” mistress, Corrina Sayn-Wittgenstein. Today, the old king has taken a tumble ala President Gerald Ford.

You see, His Majesty King Juan Carlos was visiting the headquarters of the Estado Mayor de la Defensa this afternoon to attend an important meeting.  So after shaking hands with various Spanish military officials then waving to the press the old king missed a step on the stairs and BLAM!  He fell.  Smashing his old royal face on the pavement.

Being the old professional trooper that he is His Majesty he got up, dusted himself off, and went on his merry way.  Once inside the building the old king participated in the meeting along with Defense Minister, Mr. Pedro Morenes Eulate, the Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral General Fernando Sánchez, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Jaime Dominguez Buj, Admiral, and Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado to name a few.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I also held an audience with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Mr. Mario Monti, at Zarzuela Palace.  But, I’m sure you don’t really care about that, right?  Didn’t think so.   🙂