Following 12 days in isolation, King Felipe of Spain tested negative for Covid and returned to public duties.
On February 21st 2022, Felipe VI carried out his first engagements after his illness, carrying out a series of audiences at Zarzuela Palace, his place of residence.
The first group to be welcomed by the King was the 10th promotion of the Superior Corps of Customs Surveillance, a group under the command of the Customs and Special Taxes Department created to serve as a law enforcement agency to protect the country’s borders from crimes such as contraband, or trafficking of weapons, drugs or even people.
The second group was the 21st promotion of the Superior Corps of Intervenors and Auditors of the State. This group has just passed an exam in the School for Public Administration and will go on to serve as auditors for public finances, in various entities controlled by the State, so as to ensure their financial management according to public law.
The third and final group to be welcomed by King Felipe was a representation of authorities from the Administration Council and the Direction Committee of the Spanish Company for Credit Insurance for Exports. The entity just celebrated its 50th anniversary and operates out of 10 countries to offer solutions for commercial credit management and guarantee insurances from Europe and Latin America.
His Majesty appeared in full health during the receptions, having first tested positive for the coronavirus on the 9th of February. He was supposed to resume his public duties on Wednesday, 16th February, but a further test the day before gave another positive result, forcing the Spanish Head of State to cancel the rest of the events on his agenda for the week.
During this morning’s receptions, King Felipe appeared with a black tie, a sign of mourning for the 24 crew members that were thrown into Canadian waters following the capsizing of the fishing boat Villa de Pitanxo. Three fishermen were rescued alive, and nine bodies were recovered from the debris, meaning that half the crew members are still missing.
The Spanish flag over the Zarzuela Palace was also flying at half-mast and the Royal Household’s social media accounts changed their profile picture to include a black ribbon next to King Felipe’s coat of arms.
King Felipe is expected to take part in a gala tonight, accompanied by Queen Letizia, before traveling to La Palma on Thursday and to Barcelona on Sunday. So a full agenda to welcome back the King to public duties.
