King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have kicked off the new year with multiple diplomatic engagements while the new star of their royal family has headed out of the spotlight for almost half a year.
As Princess Leonor, heir to the throne, packed up and shipped out of Madrid to start a new phase in her military training, her father was at the Royal Palace in Madrid to receive the credentials of several new ambassadors.Â
There was a full ceremonial welcome for the new ambassadors to Spain: Alexander Wykeham Ellis of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Kevin Marder of Canada, Hector Ernesto Infante de Sedas of Panama, Allegra Pamela R. Bongo of Gabon, Emmanuel Mallia of Malta and Aglaia Balta of Greece.
The following day, King Felipe and Queen Letizia received the Diplomatic Corps at the Royal Palace for a reception. Receptions for diplomats are held by several royal families around the turn of the new year. There are over 125 embassies in Spain and 800 consulates.Â
Queen Letizia chose a bright look for the reception. She paired a white dress shirt with a flowing, pleated maxi skirt in cornflower blue.Â
(Casa de S.M. el Rey)
It was her second gala look at the palace in a matter of days – the Spanish royals started their year with the Pascua Militar, a traditional event held every year on January 6th. The Queen of Spain wore a burgundy two piece for the event.
The Pascua Militar was also a final appearance for Princess Leonor ahead of her military training. The 19 year old is now on board a training ship where she’ll spend five months as part of her naval training.
