Prince Felipe, Current Events Part 2: May 2003 - June 2006

[rchainho]

Monday, 16 May 2005

[font=Verdana,Arial][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. REPRESENTACIÓN DE LOS AUTORES DE LA OBRA "JURISTAS UNIVERSALES"
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid

[/font][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. REPRESENTACIÓN DE LOS MIEMBROS DE LA "UNIÓN PROFESIONAL" DE CONSEJOS GENERALES Y COLEGIOS PROFESIONALES
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid

[/font][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. ALUMNOS DE LA SEGUNDA EDICIÓN DEL PROGRAMA INSIDE-WASHINGTON, DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE COMILLAS
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid[/font]
[/font]

They are going to do both these events?

 

[marezdote]

They are going to do both these events?

These three events will be just Felipe. There is a fourth that will be attended by both Felipe and Letizia (if she is feeling well).

 

[marezdote]

El Pr�ipe de Asturias, don Felipe de Borb��saluda a Antonio Garrigues Walker (dcha), durante la audiencia a los autores de la obra Juristas

 

[marezdote]

official pics

 

[marezdote]

Today from Terra.

 

[marezdote]

From Getty.

 

[marezdote]

Another of today from Getty.

 

[marezdote]

More from Terra.

 

[lula]

Jueves, 19 de mayo de 2005

[font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. 44 PROMOCIÓN DE INGRESO EN LA CARRERA FISCAL
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid

[/font][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. REPRESENTACIÓN DE LA ASOCIACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE EDITORIALES DE PUBLICACIONES PERIÓDICAS
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid
Asiste con S.A.R. la Princesa de Asturias

[/font][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. REPRESENTACIÓN DE [/font][font=Verdana,Arial]ALUMNOS DEL 4º PROGRAMA BALBOA PARA JÓVENES PERIODISTAS IBEROAMERICANOS
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid

[/font][font=Verdana,Arial]AUDIENCIA. REPRESENTACIÓN DE LAS JUVENTUDES SOCIALISTAS DE ESPAÑA
Palacio de La Zarzuela. Madrid
Asiste con S.A.R. la Princesa de Asturias[/font]

 

[marezdote]

A couple more from Terra.

 

[rchainho]

he seems very happy to look in the jamons. LOL
I like a lot jamon serrano.

 

[marezdote]

Today from Terra.

 

[lula]

Sábado, 21 de mayo de 2005

[font=Verdana,Arial]CEREMONIA DE GRADUACIÓN DE LOS ALUMNOS DE LA ESCUELA DE SERVICIO EXTERIOR DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE GEORGETOWN
[/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial]Washington [/font]

 

[marezdote]

Another of today from Terra.

 

[marezdote]

Yesterday from casareal.es

 

[Elsa M.]

http://actualidad.terra.es/articulo/html/av2311402.htm

The Prince of Asturias will pronounce today the graduation ceremony’s speech of the Master in International Affairs by the University of Georgetown. The Prince will address the students, who belong to the same program he himself concluded ten years ago. The ceremony will take place at the gardens of the campus, and will start at the 9:00 p.m. GMT. The heir to the Spanish Throne arrived this Friday in Washington, where he had a private dinner offered by the authorities of the University.

The Prince shall return to Madrid on Sunday morning, to celebrate with his wife their first wedding anniversary; a celebration that, according to a spokesman of the Royal House, will have an intimate and familiar character.

 

[sarita]

Prince in Georgetown. Photos from Terra:

 

[marezdote]

From Terra.

 

[Elsa M.]

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2005/05/22/sociedad/1116725458.html

The Prince of Asturias recommended the adventure of forming a family, like the one he’s living at the moment, on the way to become father; exactly today, on his first anniversary as a married man.

"Believe me, do not hurry up, but remember that the familiar adventure, in that I am immerged now, is also a rewarding experience, as difficult as exciting", declared the Prince in his speech to the students of the Master in International Affairs, who graduated yesterday, in the same course he himself concluded ten years ago.

"As a father-to-be, yet without experience, I cannot wait and I already recommend it totally", added the heir to the Spanish Throne, who excused for the absence of his wife, Princess Letizia, because of the usual annoyances for her first pregnancy.

She’s very much sorry for not participating in this celebration but "she’s certainly thinking on us and she sends you her best wishes".

But the Prince Felipe went even further on, when he said that he was owing an explanation to all those who felt slightly disappointed when seeing him alone: "We knew recently that we are going to be parents of our first child in November".

Nevertheless, the Prince did not want to lose the opportunity to address all the young people who "are now going to join the real world", advising them to fight for succeeding in their careers, but also in their private lives.

Balance of Spanish history

In his speech, Don Felipe took advantage of the occasion to make a detailed balance of the recent Spanish history, from the restoration of the monarchy, 30 years ago, to "the new reality of Spain", a country with a strong inner development and a dynamic role played on the international scene.

Felipe de Borbón insisted on the three of fundamental axes for Spain: the transatlantic agenda, the Latin American community of nations and the Mediterranean region: "our country, as member of the European Union (UE), has assumed its international responsibilities with the main objective to contribute to a better world". And that contribution demands, in his opinion, to face essential challenges, as terrorism "in all its forms", the violation of the human rights, ignorance and hate, diseases, hunger and poverty, and the environment.

The Prince made also reference to the relations with the United States, and emphasized that, for Spain, "to maintain a good and solid relation with the U.S.A. is a special reference for our foreign policy". "Good luck to all of you, do work hard, enjoy life and congratulations", concluded the Heir to the Spanish Throne that left Washington in the next hours, in order to return to Madrid and celebrate on Sunday his first wedding anniversary, next to his wife.

 

[sarita]

At the Georgetown University's graduation.

Photos from ImagineScandinavia:

 

[Elsa M.]

Prince Felipe is a former student of this university and he was the key speaker of this graduation.
The remaining ones from ImagineScandinavia:

 

[Elsa M.]

Prince Felipe's speech, at Georgetown University's Graduation:

http://www.casareal.es/casareal/georg03di.html

I must admit I feel a little worried right now, to be presented in front of all of you knowing just how eager you are to get over this day and party as you deserve. All I hope is that these minutes that I dare steal from you will help open your hearts and eyes to what I intend tell you about my experience and also about my country.

President De Gioia, Dean Gallucci, trustees, faculty and staff, families and members of the Class of 2005.

As a Master graduate of the Edmund Walsh School Of Foreign Service only 10 years ago, nothing can be more exciting that to be here today and speak at this commencement ceremony. It is a rare honor, specially for someone just over 35 or is it just under 40, well, we don't need to be precise on that , do we!

I think at this time I owe you an explanation: I imagine that many of you are a slightly disappointed for my appearance here ALONE! Well, let me tell you, that is not even close to the disappointment that my wife, Princess Letizia, feels right now for not being able to participate in today's celebration. You see, we recently found out that we are going to have a baby (our first) in November and she is suffering all those uncomfortable symptoms for which travel is not very recommended (less so for just a 24 hour hop). As I speak, she's surely thinking about us and sends her best wishes to all of you, specially the Class of 2005.

I am deeply honored and thankful to have this opportunity that the Dean of the Walsh School and the students offer me to share with all of you the great joy of this day. I'm sure there's a wash of memories that run by your minds as you live it through and walk up to receive your degrees. My memories are still very fresh and very present even more as I stand here this afternoon.

The sense of accomplishment and pride combines with a ton of questions and uncertainties. But the confidence given by excellent teaching and the treasure of knowledge you carry will always help you pull-through the difficult moments; or at least they will let you know in time how to do better, that is, to learn more or to be humble enough to ask for help.

Today you get the final touch of the Georgetown experience (at least for the time being…). For me that meant the formal ending of an invaluable academic and human time of enrichment. One that makes us better prepared to serve society, to fulfill ourselves as men and women who can take-on responsibilities, and feel mature enough - and committed - to help build a better world.

I'm convinced that within all those emotions you feel today there are a good number that carry a deep sense of gratitude. If so, I hope that you will take the time to show and express them - as I do right now, once again - to teachers and classmates, and to the staff of this wonderful university.

Mind you, I trust your professors have warned you that the learning curve never ends, and that if by any chance you feel it does, you can be sure to be running down a dangerous path…

After every step I accomplished in my education, I always felt the pressure to continue. Largely because in today's world there is a constant need to rapidly increase our skills and knowledge in order to stay on-the-ball of things. But also because as you know more, you are automatically exposed to more; you also tend to broaden your scope of interest. And to be able to grasp it you just have to continue climbing up the curve. Who knows that also may be one way to become wiser! I'll tell you when I find out…

In addition to my education in Spain, first in the Army, Navy and Air Force Military Academies, and later as a Graduate in Law from the Universidad Autónoma of Madrid, The School Of Foreign Service provided me with a thorough grounding in International Relations. The academic resources together with the Washington experience that Georgetown University provided, have been specially useful to me in my job as Crown Prince of a Constitutional and Parliamentary Monarchy, which in our country holds an important position in foreign affairs. That is why I am so grateful to this university and to all the centers of academic excellence I have had the privilege and opportunity to attend. But above all, I am grateful to my parents (as you should be to yours) for providing me with such opportunity and encouraging me to always push further.

(cont.)

 

[Elsa M.]

(cont.)

Ladies and gentlemen

Allow me now to briefly talk you through what Spain has become in the last 30 years since the restoration of the Monarchy, the recovery of democratic rule and the subsequent profound transformation of its role (as a player) in the international arena.

In such a relatively short period of time, my country has undergone a dramatic liberalization and modernization process, opening-up economically and politically like never before, and taking on a much greater and ambitious position in international politics. All this, of course, was supported and legitimized by a proper framework of democratic coexistence among political opponents guaranteed by the 1978 Constitution. This Constitution was born out of a broad consensus of all the democratic forces represented in Parliament.

In this time, our per capita income has undergone unprecedented growth, our economy has become one of the most open in the world, social rights and benefits have improved and increased considerably along with the creation of almost seven million new jobs, dozens of universities have been opened, the highway network has expanded at a dizzying rate, and there has been a modernization of all kinds of infrastructures, high speed railroads, telecommunications, energy, and airports.

Spain has become the 12th largest donor of ODA, the 9th contributor to the UN budget, and it has gone from being a country of emigration to one receiving in the last few years over three million immigrants. A country that has for years combined its traditional status as a major recipient of foreign investment with that of being among the top ten countries investing in the rest of the world.

We have also gone from being a centralized country to become one of the most decentralized in the world, with 17 Autonomous Regions that have very large and wide-ranging powers, exercised by their own legislative and executive branches of government.

During this time, Spain has regained its proper role in the construction of Europe, while at the same time it has developed a very special relationship with LatinAmerica and the Mediterranean region, and promoting transatlantic relations from within the European Union.

Let me highlight a few events that will take place throughout the next months (and next year). I think they may help present a better view of our international commitments in those areas and explain how we have operated in the new framework of our foreign affairs in the last decades.

- Next year it will have been 25 years since Spain decided to join NATO, and in a few weeks it will be the 20th anniversary of our Accession Treaty to the European Union (then called EEC). The European Union today is an incredibly large and complex project of integration that fundamentally aims to better serve the cause of peace and prosperity in our continent and its willingness to cooperate and show generosity to the entire world.

- As proof of the new and intense path we have traveled these last few decades in the deepening of our relations with Latin America, next October Spain will host the 15th Summit which will bring together the 22 Ibero-American Heads of State and governments, including those of Portugal and Spain. (That is why we called it the IberoAmerican community of nations).

Our bilateral and multilateral relations with these IberoAmerican nations, so close to us for human, cultural and historical reasons, have become much more dynamic and intense in nearly every area than ever before. Not only in the spheres of high politics and cooperation, but also in those of education, cultural exchange, and specially in economic fields such as investments in the financial sector, in industry and in services. Spain is now among the top-ranking countries investing in that region.

Of course, then there is the language we share with the IberoAmerican nations. The Spanish language has experienced an enormous expansion in recent decades all over the world, with over 400 million speakers for whom it is their mother tongue. Its growing rapidly in demand as second or third language in education, and is today the second most widely spoken language in this country. It is also important to remember that it holds an invaluable status as a first-rate cultural instrument with great influence in the current swell of the profitable cultural industry. Over all, it is safe to say that Spanish is also the second most widely-used language of communication in the world ( that goes for the Internet too !).

- With regard to the Mediterranean area, on account of our history, culture and geographic location we - in Spain - feel strongly compelled to contribute with the best of our efforts to provide this important region with a space of true peace, security, stability and prosperity. That is why, also this year, in November, our country will host a summit in Barcelona to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean process, as a tribute to our initiative and dedication to this process of bridging the economic and social differences with the Southern Rim.

- Shortly afterwards, it will also have been 10 years since the United States and the European Union signed in Madrid the Transatlantic Declaration during the Spanish presidency of the EU. This declaration established the grounds for stronger relations between these two - shall we call - "giants" of democracy, prosperity and stability.

For Spain, a medium European power with strong transatlantic interests, maintaining a good and solid relationship with the United States is an essential point of reference for our foreign policy.

As I said a week ago at the closing ceremony of the 10th US-Spain Forum held in Sevilla, it is crucial for Europe and the United States to safeguard and strengthen the transatlantic link of friendship, loyal partnership and mutual understanding, as a fundamental basis for progress and security of a group of Nations that are geographically separate, but united in the defense of the same ideals and values, namely: freedom, individual rights, the rule of law and democracy.

Treading towards the end of my speech, I would like to offer just a couple of anecdotes on the cultural ties between Spain and the United States, dating back to the late 16th century at the very birth of what became this great nation, where Anglo-Saxon and Spanish cultures coexist, of course with native Americans, and also with a myriad of foreign cultures that constantly enrich this country's soul.

I won't brag about the obvious remnants of Spanish influence in the South or West (from Florida to California), nor in the origin of the dollar sign coming from the Spanish Crown's contribution (up the Mississippi river) to finance your fight for independence. But around that period, American scholars of the Enlightenment began to take an interest in Spanish culture and of course read its foremost literary expression, Don Quijote, (whose 4th Centennial we celebrate this year).

To such a degree this happened that it seems that on the very day the Constitution of the United States of America was adopted (September 17th, 1787), George Washington noted on his diary that he had paid a Philadelphia bookseller 22 shillings and 6 pence for an English translation of Don Quijote. Some days earlier - it seems - he had dinner with Benjamin Franklin - who was a distinguished member of the Spanish Royal Academy since 1774. And, so the story goes, this timeless masterpiece written by Cervantes had been a topic of their intellectual discussion. (Shows how different schedules and stress in public office where back then. I guess we miss a bit of that in this accelerated world of today).

There have been many examples of tribute and appreciation shown by American authors and scholars since: Mark Twain, Washington Irving, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; and, more recently John Steinbeck or Ernest Hemingway. And there are many more cultural examples of closeness and mutual interest binding our two Nations throughout history. Don't worry I won't burden you with them right now. But let me just say that they all help us to understand how much benefit we can extract from coming even closer, specially by sharing culture and education.

(cont.)

 

[Elsa M.]

(cont.)

Ladies and gentlemen, dear Graduates,

Today, 30 years after my father ascended to the throne, and 27 years since our Constitution was overwhelmingly supported by a popular referendum, the new reality of Spain is one of a strong and far-reaching internal development, together with a dynamic role in the international scene as a medium power. With those three focuses I mentioned earlier: the transatlantic agenda, the Ibero-American community of nations and the Mediterranean region, our country, as a member of the EU, has taken on its international responsibilities with the ultimate aim of contributing to a better world through greater cooperation, and dealing with the main challenges that faces Human kind: terrorism, in all its forms; the violation of human rights, rights that should be the moral high ground of any successful society; ignorance and hatred, that are a root to so many of our global problems; illnesses, hunger and poverty, the tragic triad that causes most of the pain this world suffers; and last but in no way least the environment that we live in and don't care for as much we should.

And now comes my farewell to all you graduates who now after celebrating the end of an enlightening, demanding and exciting time here at Georgetown SFS, will take-off and join the real world to try and excel both in your careers and in your personal lives. Believe me, don't rush to it, but remember that the family adventure - in which I am presently immersed - is also a thrilling, demanding and specially rewarding experience. As a soon-to-be father (and still lacking the experience) I cannot wait and already, strongly recommend it.

Good luck to you all, work hard, enjoy life and congratulations to you and your proud families. Just one last thing, remember how much Georgetown has given us...

 

[Elsa M.]

The official photo, from Casa Real:

 

[marezdote]

Thanks for posting the speech Elsa! I tought this line was funny --"specially for someone just over 35 or is it just under 40, well, we don't need to be precise on that , do we! "

 

[Elsa M.]

You're welcome, Marezdote!
The speech was a remarkale one, in a whole, and that particular line was very funny too.

 

[rchainho]

he is graduated in politics and economy?

 

[Elsa M.]

he is graduated in politics and economy?

Prince Felipe took his degree in law, and also a number of subjects from the Economics syllabus, in order to round off his training in that area. Besides, he got a Master Degree in International Affairs, by the University of Georgetown.

For more details, please read our bio:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=198719#post198719

 

[rchainho]

The main dates of the life of Don Felipe

30.1.1968: it is born in Madrid. 1972/1984: it studies EGB and BUP in the school Santa Mar?a of the Rosales. It is baptized the 8 of February of same a?o. Its godmother, do?a Eugenia Victory, stepped on Espa?a for the first time from 1931. The photo gathers this ceremony, and in her figure Don Juan, father of the King.

21.1.1977: It receives the acreditativos attributes of Pr?ncipe de Asturias.

Septiembre of 1980: first official visit to Asturias, where it presides over the constituent act of the Fundaci?n Pr?ncipe de Asturias.


[size=-1]Internal in Canada[/size]

5.9.1984: registered in the Lockfield College School of Toronto (Canad) in order to make studies equivalent to the Course of Orientaci?n Universitaria (COU) espa?ol.

11.10.1985: Militar de Zaragoza swear ins in the General Academy.


[size=-1]It swears the Constitution[/size]

30.1.1986: Don Felipe is proclaimed inheriting of the throne. Then oath the espa?ola Constituci?n, as one sees in the solemn photo, one sesi?n in the Senate and the Congress of the Deputies.

1.9.1986: it enrolls in the Military Naval academy of Mar?n (Pontevedra).

2.1987:it enters in the Aviation school of San Javier (Murcia), in his periplo of passage by the three ej?rcitos.


[size=-1]Military specialty[/size]

1988: it begins Economics and Law studies in the Autonoma of Madrid. License in 1994.

?10.9.1991: first official trip to Latin-america.

27.7.1992: it ascends to captain of Ejercito of the Air.

25.7.1992: it registers delegaci?n espa?ola in the Ol?mpicos Games of Barcelona of 1992, in the stage of Montju?c.


[size=-1]In the university[/size]

29.1.1993: it ascends to lieutenant of nav?o of the Navy.

30.1993: it ascends to capit?n of the Ej?rcito de Tierra.

1993/1995: it makes in Washington (the U.S.A.) masters in International Relations in the University Cat?lica de Georgetown.

1996.97: finished acad?mica and military his formaci?n, trabajar' like representative of the Real House in official acts begins '.


P.S. I'm sorry the translation.
(You can see the original page in http://www.udel.edu/leipzig/texts4/elg26018.htm)