King Felipe completed another engagement in Granada last weekend, after the military parade that marked National Armed Forces Day.
Still in his military uniform, but no longer wearing the orders, His Majesty took part in a small commemorative ceremony for King Baudouin of the Belgians, in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of his death.
On Saturday, 3rd June, His Majesty arrived accompanied by the Minister of Defense Margarita Robles, the Government Delegate in Andalusia Pedro Fernández, the acting Mayor of Motril Luisa García Chamorro and the Counselor Minister of the Belgian Embassy in Spain José de Pierpont.
The Monarch was also joined by Inés Escrivá de Romaní Mora, Marquess of Arienzo, and Leticia Ruiz de Owed Silva, the past and current Presidents of the INEIS Foundation, which is in charge of taking care of the legacy of King Baudouin in Spain.
Finally, the group was completed by the Archbishop of Granada, José María Gil Tamayo, who will also celebrate the homage Mass on the actual weekend of the anniversary.
Authorities entered Villa Astrida and reached a statue of the Belgian King, where flowers were laid in memory of Baudouin. Next to it, was the chair in which King Baudouin passed away, which will become part of the collection of objects that visitors to the memorial will be able to see.
The 30th anniversary of King Baudouin’s death will fall on the 31st of July, and will be marked in Spain with a weekend of commemorations, which will begin with a church service on the 30th in devotion of the Carmen Virgin image, to which the King was very devoted, and which will be carried in procession towards the Saint Josephine of Bakhita Church.
The following day, July 31st, will begin with the inauguration of the King Baudouin Memorial, in Villa Astrida, and will be followed by a church service celebrated by the Archbishop of Granada.
Villa Astrida was the Spanish residence of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, who was born and raised in Spain. Shortly after becoming a widow, the former Queen of the Belgians commissioned the statue that is now in the Villa.
