The Prince and the Princess of Asturias, on Monday, began a two day visit to India in order to attend the opening of the new Instituto Cervantes and to support the presence of Spanish enterprises in India.
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On Tuesday Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia began their official engagements with a meeting with Spanish businessmen participants in the business conference Spain-India. Prior the conference, the Prince and Princess had a brief meeting with Sanayangba Chubatoshi Jamir, governor of the state of Maharastra, and with representatives of Indian’s enterprises. Once the meeting finished, they presided over the conference Spain-India in the Crystal Room Central at the Taj Mahal Hotel
“India is a great and friendly country for which Spaniards feel a very special and growing admiration, respect and sympathy” Prince Felipe said, and added “For me personally, India bares great childhood memories and so I always feel very happy when ever I have the chance to come back, like today together with the Princess; even though this one is truly a very short visit with no time to enjoy the wonders India has to offer.”
At the evening the Prince and Princess of Asturias along with the Spanish ambassador in India, Ion de la Riva Guzmán de Frutos, met with the Spaniards living in Mumbai. Read more…
Paty Spanish Royals India, Official Visit, President Patil, Prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Princess Letizia, Princess of Asturias
Queen Elizabeth hosted this week’s State Visit by the President of India Pratibha Patil and her husband Dr Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat. The 3-day visit began on October 27, 2009 with a welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle. A carriage procession through the streets of Windsor, a private lunch with the Queen and an inspection of the Honour Guard were all part of that first day.
A State Banquet was held in St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle, with Queen Elizabeth wearing her Burmese Ruby Tiara for the occasion. The Royal Channel released this video of the banquet, showing the pomp and formality of such a dinner. You can see that in a video here.
The State Visit by India ended yesterday, with the launch of the XIX Commonwealth Games through the Queen’s Baton Relay, followed by the farewell ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Discussion of the State Visit can be found on the Royal Forums here. Merry Royals has some photos posted here, here and here.
Maricar British Royals Commonwealth Games, Elizabeth II, India, President Patil, Queen's Baton Relay, State Visit
From the TRF avatar collection
President Pratibha Patil of India has been invited to pay a state visit to Britain and will be visiting the Queen at Windsor from 27 to 29 October of this year. As is customary for visiting heads of state, President Patil will also meet with the Prime Minister and other senior government ministers. In all the years of the Queen’s reign, President Patil is only the fourth female head of state to pay a state visit, and is the first elected female head of state to do so (the other three being Queens Regnant – Queen Juliana, Queen Margrethe, and Queen Beatrix).
It has been reported that during her visit President Patil will invite the Queen to India next year to open the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Lucia-mia British Royals Elizabeth II, India, President Patil, State Visit
On the second day of her visit, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil attended a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, in which they talked about the current financial crisis, commercial relations between India and Spain and their cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
After the meeting, representatives of both governments signed three bilateral agreements in the field of agriculture, tourism and industry in the presence of the President of India and the Spanish Prime Minister.
President Pratibha also had time to make some cultural visits. She went to Toledo where she visited its beautiful cathedral accompanied by the Mayor of Toledo, Emiliano García-Page, and the President of Castilla la Mancha community, Jose Maria Barreda. The Indian President received two special gifts from the city of Toledo, the collection of water-colors, “Puerta de Toledo” and a special book.
In the afternoon, President and her husband hosted, at Pardo Palace, a reception in honour of their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain.
Tomorrow, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will say goodbye to President Patil, who will leave Madrid for Poland, at the end of the first State Visit of an Indian President to Spain.
Paty Spanish Royals India, King Juan Carlos, President Patil, Queen Sofia, State Visit
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The Indian President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil accompanied by her husband Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, arrived this morning at Madrid Airport to begin, for the first time in Indian and Spanish history, a State Visit to Spain.
The Indian President was welcomed by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain in an official ceremony at Pardo Palace, the official residence of Head of States during State Visits.
Among other activities to mark the visit, Mrs. Pratibha visited the Spanish Parliament, where she received the Parliament medal and a special copy of the Spanish Constitution, and also met with the Indian Community in Spain.
Later on, Their Majesties the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Asturias hosted a private lunch at Zarzuela Palace in honor of Smt. Pratibha Devisingh and Dr. Devisingh. In the evening; Their Majesties, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh and Dr. Devisingh and representatives of both countries attended a State Banquet at the Royal Palace.
For more information visit this thread.
Paty Spanish Royals India, King Juan Carlos, President Patil, Queen Sofia, State Visit
Upon invitation by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, the President of the Republic India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and her husband, Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat will pay a State Visit to Spain on 21-22, April 2009.
Smt. Patil is the 12th President of India, she was elected on July 25, 2007. She is the first woman to have been elected as President of India.
For more info visit this thread.
Paty Spanish Royals India, President Patil, Spain, State Visit
