Eduardo González
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has once again dressed this Thursday in the traditional diplomatic uniform at the traditional annual reception of the Diplomatic Corps and, as a year ago, he has again broadcast a video to explain the characteristics of this suit, with special attention to the eight decorations he has worn on this occasion.
At the beginning of last year, Albares broadcast a video through TikTok to explain the origin and characteristics of the suit used by Spanish career diplomats when they attend official appointments, such as the delivery of credentials or the reception of the King to the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain.
The traditional uniform of the Diplomatic Corps was established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 for use by the powers participating in that meeting that put an end to Napoleonic hegemony in Europe.
Spain is one of the few countries in which this suit is still in use, with slight variations from the original uniform. For example, in 1997 a special uniform was regulated for female diplomats in our country. In addition, the suit includes “hooks” on the jacket where decorations can be attached.
In the video published this year through Instagram, Albares referred to the accessories of the uniform, such as the hat, gloves and sword. “The truth is that it is not very comfortable to walk with these accessories,” he said. As for the decorations, the minister explained that “there are many, of different degrees, from different countries, of different meaning.”
For this event – held at the Royal Palace of Madrid and attended by the King and Queen and the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez – Albares’ uniform bore four plaques: the Numbered Commandery of the Order of Isabel la Católica, the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog of Denmark, the Grand Cross of the first class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
The minister also wore the Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania and three miniatures: the Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands, the Grand Cross of the Order of Boyacá of Colombia and the Medal of the Order of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Ukraine.
The Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain is made up of a total of 126 Embassies resident in our country and almost 800 Consulates, 153 career and more than 600 honorary. In addition, another 49 countries are accredited to Spain, but have residence in Paris, London, Brussels or Geneva. In addition, 42 international organisations have headquarters in Spain.
