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Spain

King Felipe and Queen Letizia depart Spain for historic State Visit to Sweden

Just one week after welcoming Italian President Mattarella for a State Visit to Spain, King Felipe and Queen Letizia are set to begin their own State Visit to Sweden. 

Around noon on Tuesday, 23 November, the King and Queen arrived at Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas Airport, where they received the official goodbye, an act typical of outgoing State Visits in Spain. 

Their Majesties are travelling to the Scandinavian country upon receiving an invitation from King Carl XVI Gustaf, and the visit will “highlight and strengthen the bonds and bilateral relationships between both countries,” according to the Spanish Royal House’s website. 

Their Majesties are travelling with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares, the Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant and the State Secretary for Commerce Xiana Margarita Méndez. 

Upon their arrival, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will have a few hours to wind down and relax in the guest quarters of the residence of the Spanish Ambassador in Stockholm before they are due for a reception offered in the Spanish Embassy for Spanish citizens that reside in Sweden. 

Such receptions are typical of any state or official visit from representatives and are generally held to give the authority a feel of what life is like for their citizens in another country. 

The State Visit will officially begin on Wednesday, with the ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace, before visiting an exhibition, the Parliament, Karolinska University Hospital, having a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister and concluding the day with the traditional State Banquet. 

On day two, which will also be the last day, King Felipe will open a business symposium and visit a technology museum, while Queen Letizia will visit the Bernadotte Library for a language seminar. 

Their Majesties will then reunite to attend the lunch offered to them by the City of Stockholm before King Felipe is scheduled to visit the Swedish Royal Academy. 

A “reciprocation reception” offered by King Felipe and Queen Letizia for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will end the State Visit. 

This Spanish-Swedish State Visit is crucial; while members of the two royal families have met quite regularly over the years, 1983 was the last time the two countries had a State Visit between them. Therefore, it will be essential for the two royal couples to do their best to promote the ties between their two countries.