King Felipe Hosts First State Visit of His Reign

King Felipe VI of Spain has hosted his first state visit today, welcoming President Michelle Bachelet of Chile to Madrid.

The official welcoming ceremony took place at the Royal Palace of El Pardo, where King Felipe and his wife, Letizia, greeted President Bachelet in the Palace forecourt. The trio stood to attention for the national anthems of both countries, before the King and the President inspected a military guard of honour, ahead of a lunch and meetings at Zarzuela Palace.

In the evening, the King and Queen held a gala banquet for 120 guests in honour of President Bachelet at the Royal Palace of Madrid. Queen Letizia wore a black lace gown by Carolina Herrera and her floral diamond tiara, while the President wore a grape-toned evening gown with a silver lace overlay.

After greeting all the guests and posing for photos in the Throne Room, the official party moved to the Hall of Columns where soprano Auxiliadora Toledano gave a musical performance. King Felipe, in his speech during the dinner, called Chile a “strategic partner for Spain”, and mentioned how Spanish investment into Chile was possible because of the nation’s “economic liberalisation and institutional strength.”

Filed under Spain
Tagged Chile, Felipe VI of Spain, President Bachelet of Chile, Queen Letizia of Spain, State Visit.

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