King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain continued their presentation visits to the other European monarchies in Brussels Wednesday, where they were welcomed by Belgium's new royal couple King Philip and Queen Mathilde.
One day earlier the Spanish royals were warmly welcomed in Luxembourg. Last month they already visited the new king and queen of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander and Máxima.
These visits are neither State Visits nor official visits - but they are best described as courtesy calls, in which the new King introduces or presents himself as such in neighbouring countries and the other monarchies.
The Dutch King set out on his tour one month after he succeeded his mother, starting in Luxembourg, the Belgian King first went to the Netherlands and than to Luxembourg, and King Felipe of Spain headed to the Vatican and Portugal first.
The visits all follow a similar pattern, with only slight variations as protocol, agenda or tradition may dictate. King Felipe and Queen Letizia were welcomed with military honour in both Belgium and Luxembourg for instance, but there was no playing of national anthems and an inspection of the Guard of Honour in The Hague.
In Luxembourg on Tuesday Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, who celebrated his birthday that day, stood in for his mother Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at the welcoming ceremony in front of the palace. Maria Teresa is still recovering from knee surgery and awaited her guests inside, where a private lunch was held.
In Brussels the elaborate welcoming ceremony was not immediately followed by the customary luncheon, but by courtesy calls to the Belgian Federal Parliament and Prime Minister Charles Michel. After making the rounds the Spanish couple returned to the Palace.
© Royalblog, Hans Jacobs; Photos by © RB, Royal Press Europe
Comments