Tag Archives: King Juan Carlos of Spain

Spanish Royals

H.M. King Juan Carlos of Spain Attends the Opening of an Exhibit

On November 30, 2011, His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain attended the opening of the exhibit, La Orden de Toison de Oro (The Order of the Golden Fleece), in Madrid, Spain.

Per the official website for the royal house of Spain:

His Majesty King Juan Carlos came to the headquarters of the Fundación Carlos of Antwerp to preside over the opening of the exhibition “The Order of the Golden Fleece,” which the Foundation has organized a special collaboration with the National Trust, sponsored by Telefónica, RENFE, Banco People and the Fundación Ramón Areces, and the collaboration of Banco Santander and the Ministry of Culture.

During the ceremony, King Juan Carlos was accompanied by Minister of the Presidency, Ramon Jauregui, the Minister of Culture, Ángeles González-Sinde, the president of the Foundation Carlos of Antwerp, Miguel Angel Aguilar, and the Knights of the Illustrious Order of the Golden Fleece, His Royal Highness the Infante Don Carlos, His Majesty King Simeon of Bulgaria, Mr. Javier Solana and Victor Garcia de la Concha.

Antwerp Carlos Foundation offers a course that reveals the artistic history and traditions of knighthood most prestigious and exclusive in the history of Europe: the Order of the Golden Fleece (Bruges, 1430), whose Head and Ruler is the King of Spain, now His Majesty King Juan Carlos I.

The exhibition curated by Fernando Checa and Count of Sierra Gorda, Joaquín Martínez-Correcher, presents the evolution of this institution that Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy, founded to defend the ideals of chivalry, and whose sovereignty passed to the Crown of Castile when Philip the Fair, son and heir of Mary of Burgundy, married Juana I of Castile.

Juan de Austria, hero of Lepanto, Wellington and Bismarck have been part of the institution they belong to all current European monarchs, the King of Saudi Arabia, the Emperor of Japan, and prominent personalities such as Adolfo Suárez, Víctor García de la Concha and Javier Solana.

The name of the order refers to the Greek myth of the Golden Fleece, a gift from the gods, who brought prosperity to whoever possessed. Evokes, as an example of chivalry and heroism that showed Jason and the Argonauts, who was part of Hercules, in returning to Greece, from the Asian city of Colchis, the precious talisman whose picture hangs on the chains that still give the Knights at his inauguration.

From its origins comes to Burgundian Order of the Golden Fleece its patron saint, St. Andrew, whose feast day is November 30, the date of the inauguration. The sample will be chaired by Rubens masterpiece, belonging to the Fundación Carlos de Antwerp since 1639: The Martyrdom of St. Andrew, who represents the apostle. The cross-shaped cross, called Burgundy, was the emblem of the thirds of Flanders and is still part of the shields of king and Spanish armed forces.

The exhibition will lead to the publication of a catalog and a few workshops for children at Christmas and a documentary on the collaboration of Spanish TV and History Channel.

To view photos please click here.  To learn more about et exhibition please click here.

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

Spanish Royals

H.M. King Juan Carlos of Spain Holds Several Audiences at Zarzuela Palace

On November 15, 2011, His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain held several audiences at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos first received Mr. Rafael del Rio Sendino, president of Caritas and Mr. Sebastian Mora Spanish Rosado, Spanish Secretary General of Caritas:

The Caritas is the official federation entities, Charities of the Catholic Church in Spain, established by the Episcopal Conference, which develops within Spain an important role in promoting social support and social groups in a precarious situation and/or social exclusion.

The commitment to these situations is supported by the free labor of more than 65,000 volunteers, representing 90 percent of human resources of the institution in Spain.

Next, the he received members from the Board of Management of the University Hospital of Navarra on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

And, finally King Juan Carlos received the board of directors from Bankia.

Bankia develops a model of universal banking business based on a multi-brand, multichannel management focused on meeting the financial needs of 12 million customers in all segments: individuals, small businesses, large corporations and public and private institutions.

The activity is concentrated in Spain with a business model based on the territorial diversification. In addition, Bankia has international presence in Germany, Austria, China, USA, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and the UK.

To view photos from today’s event please click here. 

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

Spanish Royals

T.M.s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain At Real Academia Espanola. Plus, Other News

Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain attended the opening of the Royal Academy Course at the Real Academia Espanola in Madrid on October 18, 2011.  The event was also attended by the President of the Constitutional Court, Pascual Sala, the Minister of Education, Ángel Gabilondo, the director of the Royal Spanish Academy, Jose Manuel Blecua, Under Secretary of Education, Mercedes Lopez Revilla, different directors and presidents of the other Royal Academies, as are the director of the Royal Academy of History, Gonzalo Anes, the director of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Antonio Bonet, president of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, Miguel Angel Alario, President of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, Marcelino Oreja, Marquis de Oreja, President of the Royal Academy of Medicine, Manuel Diaz-Rubio, the President of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation, Landelino Lavilla and the president of the Royal Academy of Pharmacy, Maria Teresa Miras-Portugal, as well as members of the Governing Board of the Royal Spanish Academy.  

During the event His Majesty King Juan Carlos delivered a speech in which he emphasized that the new lecture/course, “Invitation to the Noble studies, Language use, and Language of Art”, would provide “…a new opportunity to reaffirm the continued commitment of the Crown with our Royal Academy, so necessary to continue promoting excellence in the Sciences, Humanities and Arts in our country… ”   Click here to view photos.

On October 19, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Sofia participated in the opening of several new hospital facilities at the Politècnic i Universitari La Fe in Valencia.  During the ceremony, Her Majesty the Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque then toured the facility which aims to become one of the best hospitals in Europe.   

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

Spanish Royals

Qatar Royals on a State Visit to Spain: April 25-27, 2011

On April 25, 2011, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his stunning and otherwise fierce wife, H.H. Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned arrived in Madrid, Spain for a three-day state visit to Spain.

Upon arrival the couple were greeted at the Barajas International Airport in Madrid by His Majesty King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.  Soon the foursome headed on over to Zarzulea Palace, for a lovely lunch, where they were greeted by T.R.H.s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias as well as H.R.H. Infanta Doña Cristina of Spain.

Later on that evening there was a regal gala dinner at the palace whereupon many local dignitaries as well as notable VIPs were in attendance including that aging Spanish actor, Antonio Banderas and his weird wife, Melenie Griffith.

According to the official site for the royal house of Spain, Casa de Su Majestad El Rey, His Majesty King Juan Carlos spoke about the special relationship between Qatar and Spain during tonight’s gala dinner:

‘… the excellent state of our relations, within the priority dimension that has the Arab world to Spain’s foreign policy.

For some time, our countries are working to help solve the Middle East conflict within their respective regional groups. The European Union has repeatedly hailed the importance of Arab Peace Initiative with a view to reaching an agreement final status to end the long conflict…’ said His Majesty, who also stressed ‘…the contribution they are making Qatar and Spain, along with other countries, efforts to solve the Libyan crisis, in line with the relevant resolutions Security Council United Nations. “

Before concluding, King emphasized that this visit is ‘… an excellent opportunity to foster that employers and businesses of our two countries to deepen their mutual understanding and set up new plans for collaboration. As we have seen both, our respective authorities have the greatest interest in promoting business ventures and mutual investments, which surely will benefit our peoples. ‘

Tomorrow afternoon, Her Majesty Queen Sofia and Sheikha Mozah will visit the Queen Sofia Foundation Alzheimer Center as well as other important sites.

To watch several videos including a clip from tonight’s regal dinner please click the links here, here, and here.  

To view photos from today please click the links here, here, and here. 

Source:  Casareal.es  Photo courtesy of:  Zimbio.com by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Europe