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Spain

Spanish Royal Family attends opening of parliament

King Felipe and Queen Letizia were accompanied by their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía at the solemn opening of the Spanish parliament, the Cortes Generales.

The royals arrived at the Congress of Deputies and were greeted by President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez and Chief of State of Defense Major, Miguel Ángel Villarroya. Military honours were then presented before His Majesty reviewed the troops. They then met other members of the government ahead of the opening.

Their Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses, the President of the Senate and the President of the Congress of Deputies entered the lower’s house’s chambers via the Puerta de los Leones.

© Casa de SM el Rey

The National Anthem was then played before the President of the Congress of Deputies gave her address. King Felipe’s speech then followed where he declared the 2020 parliamentary year (XIV Constitutional Legislature) officially open.

The King said, “That this term be beneficial for citizens and the general interests of Spain; that it also serves to recover and strengthen the confidence of citizens in their institutions.”

Spain cannot be against each other; Spain must be of all and for all. This is what Spanish society has wanted for more than 40 years. He still wants it and, above all, he deserves it,” His Majesty continued,” With that desire and with my full confidence in the future of Spain, I have the great honour and privilege of declaring the fourteenth legislature open.”

Afterwards, the Spanish Royal Family watched the parade of the Grouping of the Armed Forces.

© Casa de SM el Rey

The first session of parliament was held on 3 December 2019. The solemn opening does not take place until the lower house has approved the investiture of the President of the Government. Pedro Sánchez was sworn in as Prime Minister (officially the President of the Government of Spain is the Prime Minister of Spain) on 8 January. His new cabinet assumed office on 13 January.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.