The Diplomat
The traditional reception of His Majesty the King for the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain will be held once again this year with a series of restrictions to reduce the risk of COVID infection, according to reliable sources who have told The Diplomat.
In principle, according to the aforementioned sources, the invitation to attend the event has been extended for Monday, the 17th. On that date, Felipe VI will receive the foreign ambassadors, congratulate them on the New Year and deliver a speech in which he usually reviews different aspects of Spanish foreign policy.
The Monarch’s words will follow those traditionally delivered by the Nuncio of His Holiness in Spain, currently Monsignor Bernardito Auza, as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Madrid.
As was the case last year, the pandemic has made it necessary to reduce the number of guests, so that there will only be one representative for each country or international organisation with headquarters in Spain. Thus, ambassadors or minister-counsellors have been invited, in case ambassadors are unable to attend, but without their spouses accompanying them, as was traditional.
The diplomatic representatives will be summoned moments before greeting the King and Queen, and will then go to the Throne Room, where they will be seated to listen to the speeches, in order to keep a safe distance.
Naturally, everyone will have to wear masks and the glass of wine that the King used to offer to the attendees will be abolished.
