The Diplomat
The persistence of high levels of infection by COVID 19 in Madrid has forced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce a series of restrictions in the traditional reception of His Majesty the King to the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain.
According to The Diplomat, the foreign ambassadors have been summoned to the Royal Palace next Thursday, the 28th, where Felipe VI will congratulate them for the New Year and will deliver, as usual, a speech in which he reviews different aspects of Spanish foreign policy.
In the same act, as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Nuncio of His Holiness in Spain, in this case Monsignor Bernardito Auza, also pronounces a few words of congratulations to the Monarch.
This year, the celebration will be marked by the pandemic that affects the whole world and that has caused that the invitations to attend the event have been limited to the ambassadors residing in Madrid and without the accompaniment of their spouses as usual.
In addition, measures will be taken to avoid possible contagion, such as the use of masks and the establishment of a greater distance between attendees.
The number of those summoned is, consequently, smaller, and in addition, some ambassadors will not be able to attend, around fifteen, who, although they are already in Spain, have not yet been able to present their Letters of Credence to the King.