Their Majesties King Felipe and Queens Letizia and Sofía hosted a reception at the Royal Palace of La Almudaina on Friday, 3 August for the authorities of the Balearic Islands, as well as representatives of Balearic society. It was held on the annual occasion of the Spanish royals spending their summer holiday in the area.
When the King and Queens arrived at the Royal Palace of La Almudaina Friday evening, they were greeted by Alfredo Pérez de Armiñán, the President of the National Heritage Administration Council and Mercedes Conrado, the National Heritage delegate in the Royal Palace of La Almudaina’s courtyard.
The King and Queen greet supporters upon their arrival. © Casa de S.M. el Rey
The royal trio was welcomed by a sizeable crowd waving the Spanish flag when they arrived at the Royal Palace, and Their Majesties took time to wave and greet those assembled. However, not all who gathered were there for royal support. Half of the crowd had gathered to show their support for “the Catalan political prisoners and exiles”.
The King greets the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel María Oliver. © Casa de S.M. el Rey
Those in attendance at the reception were the President of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol; the government delegate in the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, María Salom; the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel María Oliver; and other local government authorities and guests from the political, sports, the academic world or solidarity organisations. In total, around 450 people gathered in the Gothic Room for the evening reception which was smaller than last year’s event which saw 500 attend.
The event used to be a formal gala dinner when it was hosted by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía before the former’s 2014 abdication. From the point when King Felipe ascended the throne, he and Queen Letizia chose to change the event from a formal gala dinner to a more relaxed reception.
