On July 3, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain continued her official visit to the Philippines.

The day began with Her Majesty visiting the Escuela Taller Technical School funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID).  Afterward, the  queen visited the National Library and National Museum in Manila, and much more.

In the evening, President Benigno S. Aquino III hosted a gala dinner at Malacañang Palace in her honor.  Guests included government officials as well as local VIPs.  During the dinner, Her Majesty Queen Sofia gave a speech in which she:

… expressed her government’s desire to ‘reintroduce and reintegrate’ the Spanish language in the Philippine educational curriculum.

‘I wish to emphasize the support we gave to the educational sector and particularly the efforts of the Department of Education for successfully making into reality the reintroduction of Spanish language in the public educational system…’

This afternoon, July 4, Her Majesty and her delegation visited Camalig North Central School and the Camalig Evacuation Center for Natural Disasters (also funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) in Legaspi City.

Visiting the Escuela Taller Technical School

Click the links below to watch videos, view photos and to read an article.

• VIDEO  (Speech by President Benigno S. Aquino III to Her Majesty)
• Gallery One
• Gallery Two
• Article (in English)

Sources: Philippine Star, Casa de Su Majestad el Rey and RTVM

On July 2, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines to begin her week-long visit to the country.  The purpose of the visit is to strengthen ties as well as friendship between Spain and the Philippines.

Upon her arrival Her Majesty was greeted by the Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Jorge Domecq, Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr. Albert del Rosario, and the Minister of Social Welfare and Development, Mr. Juliano Soliman.

According to the newspaper, Philippine Star, during her visit Her Majesty will:

… inspect several development projects around the country that the Spanish government is funding through the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID).

Visit the National Library, National Museum, the University of Santo Tomas, meet with Spanish residents living in the Philippines, attend a reception at the Spanish Embassy and meet with President Aquino who will host a banquet in her honor.

Click here to view photos.

Sources: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey and Philippine Star

Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On June 3, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain arrived in beautiful Brazil alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. José Manuel García-Margallo.  The purpose of the trip is to “… consolidate and strengthen trade relations and investments with Brazil.”

This morning His Majesty participated in a meeting as well as luncheon with the President of Brazil, Ms.Dilma Rousseff, and representatives from Spain and Brazil held at the Planalto Palace.  During the meeting the old king gave a speech regarding financial matters in Spain stating, “…Spain is working with its European partners to stabilize financial markets, reduce the public debt…” and a bunch of other boring stuff.

Afterward, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I bolted to Chile to, again, strengthen trade relations with the South American country.

Click here to watch a video.

Click here to view photos.

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

On their second day in Portugal, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias visited the town of Braga on May 31, 2012.  During their visit the royal couple toured the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), which, according to the Spanish royal court, is:

… a collaborative scientific project between Spain and Portugal, which was inaugurated in July 2009 by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and the President of Portugal, Mr. Aníbal Silva.

Whilst at the INL, Prince Felipe unveiled a shiny new plaque “…commemorating the royal couple’s visit.”  Afterward the prince and princess were given a private tour of the INL lab by Mr. José Rivas.

Soon the royal couple were back in Lisbon to attend a reception alongside “…sixty guests…” held at the Spanish Ambassador’s residence.  And, finally, after a long day Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia attended a gala dinner held in their honor at Queluz Palace.  The dinner was hosted by the Portuguese President, Mr. Aníbal Silva and his lovely wife.

Click here to view photos.

Source: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

On May 30, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias began their three-day official visit to fantastic Portugal.  The purpose of their visit is to strengthen economic, cultural and bilateral ties.

Upon their arrival to Lisbon the royal couple were met by the Ambassador of Spain in Portugal, Mr. Eduardo Bonet, the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Cooperation, Mr. Luis Brites, and a several other government officials as well as local dignitaries.

After a brief visit to a monastery, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were on their merry way to Belém Palace to participate in a boring meeting with the president of Portugal, Mr. Anibal Silva and his wife, Maria.

Soon it was time for lunch with local officials as well as “…young Portuguese people prominent in the arts, science and business.”  When that was all over, the royal couple and their business delegation made a mad dash to:

… the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic, where they were greeted by the chairperson, Mr. Assunçao Esteves. After the greeting with the parliamentary delegation, the royal couple attended yet another boring meeting with a bunch of Portuguese government officials.

The day finally ended with a reception at the Ambassador of Spain’s luxurious home in Lisbon.  Guests included members of the Spanish community living in the area.

Meanwhile at Zarzuela Palace, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain is still in hiding. However, the old king is still working.  Today, he held an audience with Mr. Plácido Arias, the President of the Royal Board of Trustees of the Museo Nacional del Prado and some other dude that you may not be all that interested in.

And, finally, yesterday I tweeted a short article regarding Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain rescuing a tiny dog during Madrid’s Companion Animal Fair this past weekend (the dog was from a local shelter in Madrid).  Any way, the newest member of the Spanish royal family has a name and it is…  Paquita.

Aw.   🙂

Little Paquita will arrive to the luxurious Zarzuela Palace within the next few days.  If you have ever rescued a pet before then you know it is standard process (hence taking several days before the animal can arrive at their new home.)

Click the links below to view photos, watch a video as well as to read and article regarding Queen Sofia.

• Gallery One
• VIDEO
• Article

Sources: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey, El Mundo and the great site Lifewithdogs.tv

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain held an audience with the president of the Council of State, Mr. José Manuel Romay Beccaría, at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  Mr. Beccaría recently succeeded Mr. Francisco Llorente on May 3, 2012.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain witnessed the signing of the collaboration agreement between the Fundación Reina Sofía and the Fundación Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Neurológicas (C.I.E.N.) according to the royal court of Spain.

And, finally, it was announced that Her Majesty Queen Sofia will attend the May 18, 2012, luncheon at Windsor Castle to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey