King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are to undertake a state visit to Argentina, the first from a Spanish monarch in roughly 16 years, beginning today.
Their Majesties arrived in Buenos Aires last night, and their official agenda starts today in the capital.
The King and Queen’s visit today will include laying a wreath this morning at the monument to General San Martín (a national hero to Argentina who is credited with helping to liberate Spanish South America) ahead of a welcome lunch by President Mauricio Macri and his wife, First Lady, Juliana Awada at Casa Rosada (English translation: Pink House) – the official residence of the President of Argentina.
The King, Queen and President will also attend the inauguration of the VIII International Congress of the Spanish Language (CILE) in Córdoba on their final day of the tour, Wednesday 27 March.
The trip is designed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The last state visit from Spain to Argentina took place during the reign of King Juan Carlos when he and his wife, Queen Sofía ventured to Argentina in November 2003.
This state visit comes after Argentina’s President and First Lady travelled to Spain for a state visit in February 2017. It was during this time that President Macri invited Their Majesties on a state visit to his South American country.
King Felipe was last in the country while heir to the throne. The then Prince of Asturias was in Buenos Aires for International Olympic Committee (IOC) meetings in September 2013. He led the delegation that was campaigning for Madrid to win the 2020 Summer Olympics. Tokyo, Japan ended up winning the bid.
This is the eighth state visit for Spain’s monarch and consort since ascending the throne in 2014.
