King Felipe and Queen Letizia Begin French State Visit

The King and Queen of Spain have begun their State Visit to France, which was originally meant to be held in March this year but was cancelled due to the Germanwings air disaster.

After a ceremonial departure from Barajas Airport in Madrid, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Paris where French President François Hollande officially welcomed them at the Arc de Triomphe. Here, the official party – including the French Minister for the Environment, Ségolène Royal, to accompany the Queen – paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which lies under the Arc. Veterans and representatives of France’s armed forces were also present for the event.

It was then over to the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the French President, for a private audience with President Hollande and a lunch. Afterwards, King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the Velázquez and the Triumph of Spanish Painting at the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées. For this, Queen Letizia had changed her beige outfit to a Carolina Herrera floral skirt and navy blue blouse.

The final act of the afternoon was the King presenting special honours to the French authorities and officials who were involved in the response to the Germanwings air disaster back in March in which 150 people were killed.

In the evening, President Hollande hosted a gala dinner at the Elysee Palace for his visitors. The Queen donned a deep red cocktail dress, believed to be from Felipe Varela, which featured a full skirt and an intricately beaded overlay.

Read more about the State Visit here.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Exhibition, Felipe VI of Spain, France, President Hollande of France, Queen Letizia of Spain, State Visit.

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