Spanish State Visit to Germany

~ Saad719

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are on a State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany at the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, from October 16 to 19, to highlight and celebrate business and cultural ties, as well as visiting the Frankfurt Book Fair. 

In the afternoon of October 16th, King Felipe and Queen Letizia landed in Berlin and then attended a Reception for the Spanish Community at the Spanish Embassy in Madrid, where the King gave a Speech:

“There are almost 200,000 Spaniards who live in Germany; That is why there are more Consulates at your disposal than in many countries. As you probably perceive in your day to day, you live in a place with which Spain has and has always had very good harmony. Ours is a relationship characterised by friendship and joint effort, and it is in a great moment.”

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The following morning, King Felipe and Queen Letizia were welcomed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender in an official Welcome Ceremony at the Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the Federal President of Germany, where the King reviewed the Guard of Honour, followed by a Press Conference and a series of bilateral meetings.

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Later, the King and Queen laid a wreath at the Neue Wache, the monument to the victims of war and violence, following which the King visited the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society and held a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Federal Chancellery.

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In the evening, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender hosted a State Banquet in honour of King Felipe and Queen Letizia (repeating a Stella McCartney gown) at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin. Both the King and the President gave speeches celebrating the German-Spanish Relationship.

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The following morning, the King attended a working breakfast with  German and Spanish businessmen before a Spanish-German business meeting at the Bertelsmann Foundation with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Afterwards, the King visited the Bundestag and held a meeting with the President of the German Parliament. Meanwhile, Queen Letizia visited the Palais Populaire, the temporary exhibition of the Helga de Alvear Museum Collection.

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Later, King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the City Hall of the City-State of Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate, before travailing to Frankfurt to inaugurate the Frankfurt Book Fair, in which Spain is the guest country. In the evening, the King and Queen (wearing Queen Sofia’s Sapphire Earrings) hosted a Return Reception in honour of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender.

2 thoughts on “Spanish State Visit to Germany”

  1. I’m not going to lie. I was disappointed to see that Queen Letizia didn’t wear a tiara for the State Banquet. This is, unfortunately, a sign of the times. There is no room for fancy thoughts or displays of beauty anymore. We’re left with the barest semblance of formality. That State Banquet was no different than any dinner of any company taking place anywhere. It’s so sad to see. Wearing beautiful jewels and tiaras that have been in the family’s vaults for years doesn’t cost a penny, but it elevates the occasion tremendously. It makes it different, amazing, and special. This is just so sad to see.

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  2. It was indeed a missed opportunity for yet another tiara event this month. When I saw the photos from the dinner (not going to call it a banquet and definitely not a gala dinner) I got a “red carpet” moment at the Oscars vibe. Don’t get me wrong, the earrings were stunning, but the rest… meh.. And to be honest it is not the Queen’s fault entirely as the event was with a black-tie dress code, but that has not prevented other Queens from wearing a tiara. What was also very disappointing in my view was the lack of honours worn. An exchange of State Honours had taken place, but they didn’t seem bothered to wear them.

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