D King Felipe and Letizia They are already in Rome to begin their state visit to Italy, which will also take them to the country’s capital, Naples. The trip, which runs until this Thursday, is the first of the King’s tenure and is part of the cordial relationship between the two countries, which has a long historical tradition. It represents an exceptional 2024 grand international finale for the Crown following 20 years of their marriage and Don Felipe’s ten years as head of state.
© SMEL Ray House
© SMEL Ray HouseThey arrived at the Roman airport of Fiumicino around 5:00 p.m., where they were received by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, who has been in office since October 31, 2022, after saying goodbye at the T-4 Authority Pavilion of the Barajas Airport held at noon. At that time the thermometers showed about eight degrees (in addition to the activation of the rain warning), so that Mrs. Letizia changed her style during the flight. She boarded the plane in gray pants, smart heeled ankle boots and a black coat, and disembarked in an all-white look to combat the dropping temperatures.
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© GTRES
© GTRESAs soon as we arrived at the airport, the intense official agenda of Italy’s most important and whose real name was Leonardo da Vinci, the kings began. The first stop was the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome, considered an essential instrument of Spanish foreign cultural policy since 1873. In this institution, located in the convent complex of San Pietro in Montorio, the kings held a meeting with the Association of Italian Hispanists to mark the 50th anniversary and met the scholarship recipients, a total of 20 creators, artists and nine researchers. Different disciplines that coexist for periods between 3 and 8 months, share ideas and implement their projects.
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© Gtres
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© GTRESDuring the visit, the kings were also interested in an architectural gem hidden in the academy, the Bramante Temple, which has ties to Spain. The Catholic Monarchs were the main benefactors and it was built by Donato Bramante, has 16 granite columns, a hemispherical dome with a lantern and was altered in the 17th century. Inside, above the altar, is a statue of St. Peter, created in 1500 by an unknown artist of the Lombard school.
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© GtresLater, they visited the residence of the Spanish ambassador in Rome, Miguel Fernandez-Palacios Martinez, To meet with the Spanish community living in the Transalpine country, about 500 people from different fields: businessmen, teachers, artists, athletes, scientists, religious people, students, soldiers and Spanish staff of the Spanish Embassy and its dependent organizations, and international organizations based in Rome –FAO , IFAD, UNIDROIT, WFP–.
© SMEL Ray House
© SMEL Ray HouseIn addition to being interested in learning about their experiences and their personal stories, King Felipe thanked them “for coming to our – and your – embassy in Rome this afternoon, for this warm welcome to a country so near, dear and dear. , no doubt, you are united and you feel welcome in it. We are very happy to meet and greet you in person and we look forward to sharing your experience here with us.”
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© SMEL Ray HouseIt was the first state visit to Rome of Philip VI’s reign. The monarchs were in the Italian city in 2014, but on that occasion their stay was part of their tour of European Union countries. In addition, they made business trips and in 2001 the King, who was then heir to the throne, was there. Also, Juan Carlos I and Doña Sofia made several state visits to Italy in 1977, 1981 and 1998. It should be noted that the previous head of state was born in Rome on January 5, 1938 as this is where the royal family was exiled. And it was in the chapel of the Order of Malta in the Italian city that he became the twelfth Pope.
Your next step in Rome
The most formal events will take place this Wednesday with an official reception for President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura Mattarella, who has been serving as First Lady since she died of cancer in 2012. The monarchs will also lay a floral tribute, have lunch with the president of the Council of Ministers, Georgia Meloni, at Villa Pamphili and go alone before Don Felipe heads to City Hall. Mrs Letizia will put the finishing touches on her second day in Rome at a gala dinner.
