While their royal friends are having a blast in London watching the world’s greatest athletes do their thing at the 2012 Summer Olympics His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain and His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias were stuck in a stuffy room with a bunch of boring people.  What did they do? Well, the royal duo attended a plenary meeting of the Consejo de Defensa Nacional at Zarzuela Palace.

Yawn.

Also in attendance alongside His Majesty and the prince was the Prime Minster of Spain, Mr. Mariano Rajoy Brey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. José Manuel García-Margallo Marfil, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Pedro Morenes Eulate, and a bunch of other government officials.

Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On July 23, 2012, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain witnessed the “… swearing in ceremony…” of Mr. Gonzalo Moliner, the new President of the Supreme Court and General Council of the Judiciary.  The event took place at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Click here to watch a video. (in Spanish)

Afterward, Their Majesties joined Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias at Palacio Real de El Pardo in Madrid to meet with members of the 2012 Spanish Olympic Team.  During the meeting His Majesty King Juan Carlos I gave a speech stating, “You will be the center of attention in all of Spain.  And, once again, you all will be models of conduct and a [good] example for the young… It is a great responsibility… I wish you much success…”

Source and photos courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, the WWF España announced they have decided to dump His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain as their Honorary President.

The reason why the WWF España said “Adios” to the old king was due to the international outcry regarding the $57, 850 luxurious elephant killing vacation he took last April in Botswana alongside his longtime “alleged” mistress Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and several wealthy businessmen.

After receiving numerous complaints and petitions “both inside and outside of Spain” the WWF España gathered at their headquarters in Madrid to decide whether to keep the old king as their Honorary President or to kick his arrogant booty to the curb.

Per a press release:

“Although this type of hunting is legal and regulated [in Botswana], it has been considered incompatible, by many of its partners, with the Honorary Presidency of an international organization such as the WWF for the protection of nature and the environment and one that more efforts and resources dedicated to the conservation of species in danger of extinction.

For this reason, the Governing Board of WWF España has agreed to unanimously initiate the procedures for the holding of an extraordinary meeting in which partners could decide on whether to keep or remove the Honorary Presidency occupied by King Juan Carlos… 

94% of WWF España members agreed to vote in favor to remove King Juan Carlos I as Honorary President, a title has held since 1968.”

Source: WWF España

On Monday, July 16, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the 8th Edition of the Luis Carandell Journalism Awards held at the Palacio del Senado in Madrid.  This year’s prize went to journalist, Rocio Antonanzas de Toledo.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On July 11, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain was in Barcelona to attend the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comisión de Protección de los Derechos de los Animales (Committee of Protection of the Rights of Animals) of the Colegio de Abogados de Barcelona.

During the event, Her Majesty participated in a meeting as well as watched a video shown chronicling the history of Committee of Protection of the Rights of Animals. Afterward, Her Majesty, along various government officials, toured the Colegio de Abogados of Barcelona library.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain attended an annual meeting with the Board of Trustees from the Fundación Carolina at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  The purpose of the meeting was to “…adopt a plan of action…” for the next year.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain presided over the presentation of La Vuelta Junior Cofidis 2012 held at the Consejo Superior de Deportes in Madrid.

And, finally, Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias was in Barcelona to attend the final day of the 22nd Congreso Bienal de la European Association for Cancer Research (EACR22).  During the event the beautiful princess gave a speech stating (rough translation):

Spain is a country committed to cancer research. A commitment that drives not only public administrations, but also the civil society and private entities. In Spain we can count on science and research as part of a culture that honors the values of effort, excellence and solidarity.

Our goal is fighting cancer in a comprehensive way, with physicians, researchers, professionals and volunteers to work together. This Congress, which ends today, is proof that the comprehensive and international dimension in cancer research is the best way. Sharing knowledge is the guarantee of success.

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On July 5, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain, along with her Spanish delegation, visited Zamboanga City in the Philippines.  Upon her arrival at Edwin Andrews Air Base Her Majesty was greeted by the mayor of Zamboanga City, Mr. Celso Lobregat and dozens of local dignitaries as well as government officials.

According to the newspaper, Sun Star Zamboanga, Her Majesty visited the “…Kalinaw and Katilingban Housing Projects in Barangay Sinunuc…” which is another project funded by Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional Para el Desarollo (AECID). She also visited the Claret School where she unveiled a new plaque as well as the “…Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, the pilot school for the re-introduction of the Spanish language in the Philippine Education System…” Both schools were also built and funded by AECID.

Her Majesty Queen Sofia and her delegation also visited the Fort Pilar Museum, attended a luncheon hosted by Mayor Lobregat, and toured the facilities at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

And, that’s it.   🙂

Click here to view photos.

Sources and photo courtesy of: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey and Sun Star Zamboanga