State Visit from the King and Queen of Spain: July 12-14, 2017

[tommy100]

Andrew has always had more to do with business things and so maybe that is why he is attending a few events with the King & Queen. I was reading in the Times today (usually not one to report gossip) that the Spanish delegation was being describes tongue in cheek as "the armada" as so many business leaders will be part of it.
It also said W&K will attend the State Banquet as will Harry (and Harry will accompany them to Westminster Abbey). I think you have to remember the Queen is in her 90s now so attends the show piece events but delegates the other events to play to her family's strengths.

 

[Mbruno]

Andrew has always had more to do with business things and so maybe that is why he is attending a few events with the King & Queen. I was reading in the Times today (usually not one to report gossip) that the Spanish delegation was being describes tongue in cheek as "the armada" as so many business leaders will be part of it.
It also said W&K will attend the State Banquet as will Harry (and Harry will accompany them to Westminster Abbey). I think you have to remember the Queen is in her 90s now so attends the show piece events but delegates the other events to play to her family's strengths.

Do you think King Felipe will give the Order of Isabella the Catholic to William and Catherine ? If so, the state banquet could also be Catherine's first public appearance wearing orders.

As of now, the Queen obviously has the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece (plus the grand cross with collar of the Royal Order of Carlos III), and both Philip and Charles have the grand cross of the Royal Order of Carlos III. According to the Wikipedia, no other member of the British Royal Family besides those I mentioned before has Spanish orders. I suppose Camilla will probably get a new Spanish order , but I am not sure about William or Catherine.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks Royal Norway!!


LaRae

You're welcome! ?

It could be the one Charles and Camilla will use. I do know The Queen uses the Diamond Jubilee State Carriage for Opening of Parliament and State Visits now.

The 1902 State Landau is only used for the monarch (with the exception of the QM 80th and weddings in 1981/1986/2011), so if it's going to be used, then it si for the Queen and King Felipe.

If Charles/Camilla were to ride in a open carriage, then they will use one of the other seven State Landaus or one the five Semi-state Landaus or even one of the five more simple looking Ascot Landaus. The same goes for Philip/Letizia.

Some pictures of the other seven State Landaus:
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos...f-cambridge-and-picture-id145755500?s=594x594

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos...ke-of-cambridge-picture-id145762714?s=594x594

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/State_Opening_of_Parliament_State_Landau.jpg

Some pictures of the five Semi-state Landaus:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Lord_Mayor's_Show,_London_2006_(295489240).jpg

http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/statevisits/images/sv1101_197.jpg

Picture of one of the five Ascot Landaus:
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos...on-on-the-fifth-picture-id800544044?s=594x594

 

[Mbruno]

Prince Andrew is a senior royal so I don't see the shame. I for one like they don't ship off the older senior royals simply because the younger generation is ready.

It seems dictated anyways by the events the visiting couple are attending. Andrew focussed both on entrepreneurship including expanding business over seas, and on education and research in technical fields. Both events he will accompany the couple on are suited to him.

Take the Crick institute. Who has more knowledge of medical research and technology to tour the institute? Kate or Andrew? If the royal couple were touring a hospice or children's hospital, something like that, yes Kate would be fantastic. It's her area of knowledge.

Does Andrew have knowledge of medical research ? He was a helicopter pilot once, but I doubt medical technology was part of his training. Having said that, I don't think William knows a lot about medical research either, but at least he has an A-Level (senior secondary certificate) in Biology and he studied Geography as his university major. Andrew, on the other hand, never even went to university.

BTW, I didn't say it was a "shame". I said it was a "pity", which, in this sense, means it is disappointing that the King and the Queen won't meet William and Kate privately.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I've never seen Letizia in a carriage before and I'm thinking this might be her first ,I wonder which one will Felipe VI and Letizia ride in?

 

[Yashal]

Do you think King Felipe will give the Order of Isabella the Catholic to William and Catherine ? If so, the state banquet could also be Catherine's first public appearance wearing orders.

As of now, the Queen obviously has the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece (plus the grand cross with collar of the Royal Order of Carlos III), and both Philip and Charles have the grand cross of the Royal Order of Carlos III. According to the Wikipedia, no other member of the British Royal Family besides those I mentioned before has Spanish orders. I suppose Camilla will probably get a new Spanish order , but I am not sure about William or Catherine.

Queen Letizia won't get any so it's quite unlikely that Felipe will hand out orders. Maybe the Gran Cross of Isabella the Catholic to Camilla. Maybe.

 

[Countessmeout]

Does Andrew have knowledge of medical research ? He was a helicopter pilot once, but I doubt medical technology was part of his training. Having said that, I don't think William knows a lot about medical research either, but at least he has an A-Level (senior secondary certificate) in Biology and he studied Geography as his university major. Andrew, on the other hand, never even went to university.

BTW, I didn't say it was a "shame". I said it was a "pity", which, in this sense, means it is disappointing that the King and the Queen won't meet William and Kate privately.

Andrew has three major fields of interest as a patron

-military including commonwealth
-business and entrepreneurship
-research and education in the technology field

He was with his parents at the opening of the Crick. And he toured on occasions as it was being built.

So yes I think Andrew knows more about technology and research then William who took biology in high school.

All royals have areas of specialty. This is not the Cambridges. No need to send them for sake of sending.

 

[Mbruno]

Queen Letizia won't get any so it's quite unlikely that Felipe will hand out orders. Maybe the Gran Cross of Isabella the Catholic to Camilla. Maybe.

It is true that QEII doesn't normally give out orders to queen consorts, so Letizia is probably getting nothing. What about King Felipe though ? In his first state visit to the UK in 1986, King Juan Carlos was awarded the Royal Victorian chain; later , when QEII paid a return state visit to Spain in 1988, he was made a Stranger Knight of the Order of the Garter. Felipe, on the other hand, is already a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order , so logic dictates he should be given a higher British hono(u)r this time, which could be the Royal Victorian Chain like his father, or maybe the Garter directly (I'm ruling out intermediate orders like the Order of the Bath, which the Queen normally gives only to presidents of republics or some non-European monarchs).

In any case, as Felipe is most definitely getting some new British decoration, it is very likely that he will give out new Spanish decorations as well. Charles might get the collar of Carlos III while Camilla gets the grand cross of Isabella the Catholic. It would be really a stretch to suppose that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also be decorated, but I'm still keeping my hopes up, especially for Kate, who doesn't deserve to walk "orderless" to another state banquet !

 

[Iluvbertie]

Does Andrew have knowledge of medical research ? He was a helicopter pilot once, but I doubt medical technology was part of his training. Having said that, I don't think William knows a lot about medical research either, but at least he has an A-Level (senior secondary certificate) in Biology and he studied Geography as his university major. Andrew, on the other hand, never even went to university.

There are other ways to learn about things than at school and university.

Andrew has been involved with a number of hospitals over the years and so probably has gained knowledge about sorts of research they do in the medical field. He is also heavily involved in technology type organisations and again this is the sort of area which is often involved in medical research.

 

[Mbruno]

So yes I think Andrew knows more about technology and research then William who took biology in high school.

Again, I doubt Andrew has any meaningful scientific knowledge of biology or medical technology. Neither does the Queen probably. I agree with you though that, as a patron, Andrew has been involved with education and technology, which BTW is quite ironic for someone who was a mediocre student and, to quote from Diana's diary, was always seen by the family as not particularly bright.

Anyway, we are going off-topic with this side discussion. The point about William was not really that he should tour the Crick Institute with Felipe , but rather that, as a future king, he should be given the opportunity to meet Felipe privately as Charles will. Who knows, maybe William will attend the private lunch at Buckingham Palace ? Let's hope so.

 

[Countessmeout]

Again, I doubt Andrew has any meaningful scientific knowledge of biology or medical technology. Neither does the Queen probably. I agree with you though that, as a patron, Andrew has been involved with education and technology, which BTW is quite ironic for someone who was a mediocre student and, to quote from Diana's diary, was always seen by the family as not particularly bright.

Anyway, we are going off-topic with this side discussion.

So Kate should only focus on art? Because she had no related knowledge in any other field. How is due qualified to be a patron in any other field?

Andrew has knowledge the same way any royal patron does. Through research and work on his patrinages. The twenty plus years he has been patron and the research he has gone for his work, certainly is vastly greater then what the Cambridges would learn in a few weeks of cramming.

And I dont take Diana's opinion on her former family without a dump truck of salt.

 

[Fürstin Taxis]

Y'all, the visit has not even started and this has 16 sites with, sorry to say this, pointless discussions and few informative posts

 

[tommy100]

We don't know whether or not W&K will meet with F&L privately as it likely wouldn't be announced in advance. Let's just wait and see

 

[Dman]

Yes, if the Cambridge's attend the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, they will meet up with The King and Queen. They will meet up ahead of the procession and Banquet. There's coffee, other drinks served and mingling involved after the banquet.

I'm not sure about orders for the Cambridge's, but it's possible.

 

[lula]

Charles might get the collar of Carlos III while Camilla gets the grand cross of Isabella the Catholic.!

Collar of Carlos III Order is only for Heads of State, members of the Spanish Royal Family or Spaniards who have previously had the Great Cross for certain years. So the Prince of Wales can not receive it.

 

[Yashal]

Besides, Felipe can receive a British order without bestowing any Spanish one. That's what happened in Japan last April as the Emperors, the Crown Prince couple and the Akishinos all already had the orders that are usually bestowed on their peers.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

While I understand that QEII is too old to do further events with the Kings, its strange that Charles or at least William are not on duty for the separate events but Harry, Andrew and Anne.

 

[carlota]

It is a pity that the King and the Queen won't have any private event with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but will have two (!) events with the Duke of York. I am still confident though that William and Catherine will attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

indeed, a bit sad that WK don't have a formal role in the visit, since for the visit by Singapore they were involved in greeting the presidential couple at their hotel. they participated in one form or another in the visits from singapore and from china, but given that there were quite a few state visits as of late that they didn't get involved in, such as those from colombia or mexico (and that they have a visit to poland and germany coming up), maybe we won't see them this time either... it would be a real shame as i think they would have been a great team of royals to work together.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I've never seen Letizia in a carriage before and I'm thinking this might be her first ,I wonder which one will Felipe VI and Letizia ride in?

As I mentioned in posts 295, 299 and 304: The Queen and Felipe will ether use the closed Diamond Jubilee State Coach or the open 1902 State Landau. Philip/Letizia and other members of the BRF will use other open Landaus or the closed Australian, Irish or Scottish State Coaches.

 

[Mbruno]

While I understand that QEII is too old to do further events with the Kings, its strange that Charles or at least William are not on duty for the separate events but Harry, Andrew and Anne.

Maybe it is a sign that the era of the "slimmed-down monarchy" is not quite here yet.

Collar of Carlos III Order is only for Heads of State, members of the Spanish Royal Family or Spaniards who have previously had the Great Cross for certain years. So the Prince of Wales can not receive it.

Yes, you are right as indicated in the text of the Royal Decree below.

Real Decreto 1051/2002, de 11 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III.

[...]

Artículo 5. Grados de la Orden.

[....]

2. La concesión del Collar podrá recaer en los miembros de la Familia Real, los Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno y en aquellos ciudadanos españoles que estén en posesión de la Gran Cruz con más de tres años de antigüedad.

I believe there is a possible loophole in Art.5(7) below, but it would be highly unlikely. Besides, it would require approval of the Spanish government as that is a a civil award.

Art.5

7. No obstante, el Gran Maestre, a propuesta del Gran Canciller, podrá eximir del cumplimiento de algunas de las condiciones, cuando existan situaciones excepcionales que así lo aconsejen.

What order could Charles get then above what he already has today (grand cross of Carlos III) ? I suppose the Golden Fleece would be the only one left, as, if I understand it correctly, it is a personal gift of the monarch (like the Garter in the UK), but I don't think Felipe would consider it. What do you think ?

 

[cepe]

While I understand that QEII is too old to do further events with the Kings, its strange that Charles or at least William are not on duty for the separate events but Harry, Andrew and Anne.

The King and Queen are meeting with Charles and Camilla at Clarence House.

Normally it is the Duke and Duchess of Glos that attended at Guildhall but this time it is the higher ranking Princess Royal that is attending.

EDIT
As William has royal engagements on 11 and 13th July; plus Catherine has an event on the 13th, I think the odds of them being at the banquet are high.

 

[Dman]

Well, all the reporting is that the Cambridge's are likely to attend the evening State Banquet. It's all a wait and see. Which annoys me, because it's just better for palace to announce in the list of engagements of which of the senior royals will be in attendance of the State Baquets ahead of time, not the day of.

 

[Nico]

On a side note i see that the Spanish royals will stay at a Hotel, not at Buckingham palace or even at the Spanish Embassy.
Also, no more return event to thank the British hosts ...

 

[Dman]

On a side note i see that the Spanish royals will stay at a Hotel, not at Buckingham palace or even at the Spanish Embassy.
Also, no more return event to thank the British hosts ...

The return Banquets are very rare. I think the last return Banquet was when the Obama's hosted one for The Queen and Prince Philip and many other invited guest.

The King and Queen will arrive the day before the State Visit, so that's why they are staying in a hotel for the first night. I think they're due to stay at Buckingham Palace after the welcoming ceremony.

 

[cepe]

On a side note i see that the Spanish royals will stay at a Hotel, not at Buckingham palace or even at the Spanish Embassy.
Also, no more return event to thank the British hosts ...

I read that differently. IT is often the case that the incoming HoS arrives the day/evening before and stays in a hotel/embassy for that evening. They are then met on the 1st official day of the Visit and are formally greeted by the Queen and taken to BP

I think they are staying at BP.

 

[Mbruno]

The return Banquets are very rare. I think the last return Banquet was when the Obama's hosted one for The Queen and Prince Philip and many other invited guest.

I believe there was a return event when King Juan Carlos visited the UK in 1986 and, if I'm not mistaken, it was actually a white tie dinner.

 

[Iluvbertie]

While I understand that QEII is too old to do further events with the Kings, its strange that Charles or at least William are not on duty for the separate events but Harry, Andrew and Anne.

Even when the Queen was younger she used the entire extended family to do these events and not the senior royals.

She has only ever greeted them and the State Banquet and a return Banquet at the Embassy - if one was held.

Charles has usually done the same thing - hosted them at his home and again the greeting and State Banquets.

Andrew, Anne, Edward, Richard and the Kent's have done the escorting duties depending on the place to be visited and the interests of the royals e.g. when it is the Danes then the Gloucester's are called into service, but it it has been technology then Andrew or music then Alexandra.

A State Visit a few years ago didn't have anyone other than Edward and Sophie attend and no banquet but a State Lunch.

 

[lula]

Mbruno, it would be strange that the Prince of Gales exceptionally received the collar of the Order of Carlos III, when Queen Letizia has not yet received it.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

This a long article about several royals - I just posted the spanish part.

I've noticed it for a while, but now it's official, the Telegraph has almost become as unserious/ridiculous as the DF: Meet the party-loving Euro royals from Spain and Greece coming to Britain this summer

When the King of Spain makes his state visit to Britain this week, much will be made of the fact it’s the first Royal Spanish tour in over 30 years. The last time was in 1986, before Lionel Messi had even been born, when patatas bravas were still a strange foreign delicacy.

But it will hardly be King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s first exposure to British society. Only last weekend, the handsome couple were entertained royally at a lavish joint birthday in the Cotswolds.

Felipe, 49, and Letizia, 44, were among a bevvy of good-looking Euros who helicoptered into the Sunday night extravaganza laid on by Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece to celebrate his 50th and his daughter Princess Olympia’s 21st.

The tweed-loving troublemaker

In private, King Felipe VI loves all things British. He and his father King Juan Carlos – who abdicated in 2014 to make way for his son – are particularly fond of Harris Tweed, which their tailor in Madrid, Jaime Gallo, orders in vast quantities to make the Royal suits. In public, though, they’re not afraid to stir up a few hornets nests, especially when it comes to Gibraltar.

Only last year, the King used a speech at the UN to demand we give the Rock back to Spain, and his father spent much of his reign banging on about it, too. So much so that Juan Carlos refused to attend the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981, after learning their honeymoon cruise would begin at Gibraltar.

Foreign Office mandarins are hoping Felipe’s youthful and dynamic outlook may help heal old wounds, though it may just be safer for everyone this week if no-one mentions Spain’s G-spot?

His war-reporter wife

Queen Letizia is Spain’s Kate Middleton equivalent, in that she is the first ‘commoner Queen’. But in most other ways she is quite different, having had a job and a husband before marrying King Felipe. She would have had even less in common with Princess Di, being an all-out journalist, who has reported on everything from 9/11 to the Iraq war.

Her entry into Royal life came relatively late in life, in 2003, when her engagement to the then Prince Felipe was announced (she was 31). Not only had she worked as a news anchor for a main TV network but she had also been married before, to Alonso Perez, a writer and teacher.

None of that mattered to the forward-looking Felipe, who saw a clever beautiful woman and snapped her up. He installed her in the Zarzuela Palace and married her a year later in the Cathedral Santa Maria La Real of Madrid. The couple have two daughters and have helped bring some much-needed modernity and spark to the fading house of Bourbon.

 

[Mbruno]

This a long article about several royals - I just posted the spanish part.

I've noticed it for a while, but now it's official, the Telegraph has almost become as unserious/ridiculous as the DF: Meet the party-loving Euro royals from Spain and Greece coming to Britain this summer

I actually share the opinion that neither King Felipe VI of Spain nor Queen Máxima of the Netherlands should have attended Pavlos' party as the setting was not appropriate for a reigning monarch or a queen consort. Having said that, Pavlos is Felipe's first cousin and I believe they were even roommates when they were both studying at Georgetown University in the United States. One must assume then that Felipe and Pavlos are very close and it is understandable that Felipe would like to be present at his cousin's birthday party. At least Felipe was wise enough not to let anyone take a picture of him in funny clothes, unlike Máxima for example, who looked very silly.

PS: According to another thread on Infanta Cristina's forum, Letizia didn't actually accompany Felipe to the party, which seems to contradict the DT's report, but I don't know which version of the story is accurate.