King Felipe and Queen Letizia dine beneath the Great Pyramid at Giza on Egyptian visit

While King Charles and Queen Camilla play host at Windsor Castle for the US State Visit, King Felipe and Queen Letizia are paying an official visit to Egypt, which saw the royal couple dining amidst the Great Pyramid at Giza and the Sphinx.

King Felipe had hinted at his excitement earlier in the day, when at a luncheon hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, he said that he and Queen Letizia “are especially looking forward to seeing the sunset light on the pyramids of Giza,” on a visit that has been designed to strengthen bilateral ties following the Egyptian President’s visit to Spain earlier this year.

King Felipe added how, “We are, Spain and Egypt, two cultures rooted in the Mediterranean. Two cultures, and in many ways, with a very similar way of understanding life. Our long friendship is marked by a spontaneous rapport, visible in many everyday gestures, and a feeling of fascination between our peoples.”

The Spanish king and queen arrived in Egypt late on 16 September, ahead of the official start of their visit the next day. The royal couple met with members of the Spanish community living in Egypt at the Saint Regis Hotel in Cairo.

In a speech, King Felipe told them how they always enjoy meeting members of the Spanish community living in the countries they visit because “it allows us to meet you and hear your experiences, or your unique vision of this great country, its potential, its challenges, and our opportunities as Spaniards for its future. We also recognize your generosity and commitment in keeping the bond with Spain alive.”

King Felipe has also been vocal in his support of the Palestinian people throughout his visit to Egypt. On Tuesday, he said that “This trip takes place at a turbulent and tragic time in the region. The Queen and I are aware of the great uncertainty generated by the complex and unstable regional situation, and therefore we wish to convey our support and closeness to you, and with it, that of your compatriots.”

At Wednesday’s luncheon, he went a step further, saying: “We recognize and appreciate the mediating role Egypt is playing in achieving a ceasefire agreement, the release of hostages, and the full restoration of humanitarian aid. Spain supports initiatives such as the plan you are promoting for the reconstruction of Gaza, which is so necessary for its population to recover their lives and dignity in that territory, which, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, must be part of a viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security with Israel. However distant that goal may remain today—given everything that has happened and the news and images we receive daily—we cannot waver in our efforts.”

As their programme officially began on Wednesday, King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrived at the Memorial to the Martyrs of the Armed Forces for a wreath-laying ceremony before meeting with President el-Sisi and First Lady el-Sisi at the Heliopolis. The royal couple then split up to meet with their Egyptian counterparts before attending a luncheon.

In the afternoon, King Felipe departed for the Egyptian House of Representatives and the Egyptian Senate.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrived at the Mena House Hotel in Cairo, opposite the Great Pyramid at Giza and the Great Sphinx for an official dinner in the evening. Following this, they were given a tour of the Pyramid of Cheops and the Sphinx by its archeological director.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia each received honours for their first state visit to Egypt. King Felipe received the Order of the Nile, which is Egypt’s highest honour, and Queen Letizia received the Order of the Virtues, First Class, which is awarded to women.

When Egypt was still a monarchy, the Order of the Virtues acted as its family order for the royal women. Since Egypt has become a republic, past royal recipients of the Order of the Virtues include Queen Sofía, Queen Noor, Queen Mary, and Diana, Princess of Wales.

King Felipe presented President el-Sisi with the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and First Lady el-Sisi the Order of Isabella the Catholic.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia continue their State Visit to Egypt through 19 September and will also visit Luxor to learn more about Spanish-Egyptian bilateral work and to see archeological sites.