King Felipe wasted no time in resuming royal duties following the festive period with a quick visit to Brazil to attend the inauguration of President Lula da Silva.
The King, accompanied by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, was met by Brazilian officials at the Brasilia Air Base when his airplane landed, and travelled to the Spanish Embassy to meet with workers there.
Following his meeting at the Spanish Embassy, King Felipe joined President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal for lunch before departing for the National Congress for the official ceremony to mark the transmission of power from out-going President Bolsonaro to President da Silva.
President da Silva won the Brazilian presidential elections last fall, narrowly beating out controversial Jair Bolsonaro.
According to Brazilian tradition, the new government takes control of the country on 1 January following an election after a four-year term.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence for Brazilian football legend Pelé, who passed away on 29 December from complications due to colon cancer; and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away on 31 December.
After the ceremony, King Felipe joined the delegates for a reception at Planalto Palace and met with President Umaro Sissoco of Guinea-Bissau.
King Felipe’s quick trip to Brazil wrapped up on 2 January after a meeting with President da Silva. This is his first official visit to Brazil since he became king in 2014.
King Felipe has previously attended this ceremony in the past in his role as Prince of Asturias, starting in 1996, and was present at President da Silva’s first inauguration ceremony in 2003.
The Spanish Royal Family will again resume royal duties on 6 January for the annual Pascua Militar ceremony, one of the most solemn military events on the calendar to mark the beginning of the new year.
