The Diplomat
His Majesty the King attended the state funeral yesterday in Portugal for Jorge Sampaio, who was President of the country between 1996 and 2000, and who died last Friday at the age of 81.
The ceremony, of a non-religious nature, took place in the Hieronymites Monastery in Belém, Lisbon, and was attended by the current Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Souda; the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa and other Portuguese authorities, as well as leaders of several countries; and the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Portuguese Antonio Guterres.
Don Felipe wanted, with his presence, “to accompany the people of Portugal in the loss of a great personality committed to strengthening the relationship between the two countries”, according to the Royal Household.
The monarch, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, held meetings during his stay in Portugal with some of the leaders and authorities in attendance, including Antonio Guterres.
