Queen Letizia celebrates her 53rd birthday in a close family circle, finishing the last preparations for the upcoming state visit. Tomorrow, together with King Felipe, she will depart for Egypt, where the royal couple will stay until the end of the week. This visit, which, as the head of state himself admitted, holds special personal significance for them, comes in response to an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, received in February this year. The monarchs’ absence from the country coincides with the fact that their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, are already immersed in their own duties away from the Zarzuela Palace. The heir to the throne is in her final year of military training at the Air Force Academy in San Javier, while her younger sister is studying political science and international relations in Lisbon. In light of these circumstances, it is Queen Sofia who steps into the spotlight.
At 86, the honorary queen essentially takes the reins while her son and daughter-in-law are engaged in affairs of state in such emblematic cities as Cairo and Luxor. Her schedule during this period promises to be quite busy. This move clearly demonstrates the absolute trust Felipe VI places in his mother, seeing her as a reliable support who can cover the home front during his absence.
Immediately after Felipe VI holds an audience on Monday for diplomatic representatives of the countries that assisted in extinguishing wildfires this summer, the royal couple will depart for Egypt. They will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares. This trip marks the monarchs’ first official visit to the African country since Felipe ascended the throne. It takes place against the backdrop of excellent relations between the two states, which reached the level of strategic partnership following President Al-Sisi’s visit to Spain. According to the Royal Household, this is a prime opportunity to further strengthen the deep ties between the nations.
The program will begin with a reception for the Spanish community residing in Egypt. This will be followed by an official meeting with the president and his wife at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace, where a state luncheon is scheduled. This replaces the traditional gala dinners, meaning that this time, royal protocol enthusiasts will not see Queen Letizia wearing a tiara. On Thursday, King Felipe will open the Spain-Egypt Business Forum, while his wife will visit the Sultan Foundation in the City of the Dead. In the evening, the couple will take part in the inauguration ceremony for the illumination of the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor. The final day will be entirely devoted to archaeology: Felipe and Letizia will visit the Luxor Museum, which is considered the largest open-air museum in the world. There, they will view artifacts restored by Spanish archaeological missions and admire ancient treasures dating back thousands of years.
Interestingly, the agendas of mother and son overlap thematically. While achievements in Alzheimer’s therapy will be discussed at the business forum in Egypt, Queen Sofía will address the same issue at her first event this week. Her commitment to combating this disease is well-known, reflected in her longstanding support of research campaigns and participation in specialized congresses. On Monday in Elche, she will open an international summit on Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, organized by the Queen Sofía Foundation. Later, she will attend a concert at the Basilica of Santa María. After her son and daughter-in-law return from Egypt, Doña Sofía herself will embark on a private trip to the United States. In Washington, she will take part in a symposium and meetings of the board of trustees of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, continuing her mission to promote culture and international cooperation.
