King of Spain visits Malta for First Time

  November 26, 2009 at 8:48 am by

Yesterday afternoon King Juan Carlos of Spain arrived at Malta’s International Airport to start a two-day official visit. This is the first time that a Spanish Head of State visits the country.

It was expected that Queen Sofia would be accompanying the King in this journey, however she cancelled at the last minute due an indisposition. His Majesty was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Malta, Dr. George Abela, and his wife, Mrs. Margaret Abela and also Malta’s Prime Minister, Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and the Spanish ambassador Maria Isabel Vicandi.

View the image at Casa Real

The King’s first activity was a meeting with the Spanish collectivity living in Malta, afterward he moved to the Presidential Palace to attend an official dinner that the President of Malta and his wife hosted in his honor. Prior the dinner, the President received from King Juan Carlos the Collar of the Isabel la Católica Order and the Grand Cross of the same order to his wife, the king received from the President the Collar of the Malta’s Order of Merit.

“Malta and Spain share a historical relation, a strategic bet for the Mediterranean, and a close, mature and privileged bilateral relations, with many possibilities of future,” King Juan Carlos addressed the President.

Today the King will lay flowers at the War Memorial of Floriana, afterwards he will meet with the President of the Labour Party, and then he will move to Auberge de Castille to attend the reception that the Prime Minister will host in his honour. His Majesty along with the Prime Minister will visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

In the afternoon an official ceremony will take place at the St. George Square where His Majesty will be farewell by the President of Malta, and the King will leave Malta headed back to Spain.

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