King Felipe VI was forced to take a break from his private vacation to attend a highly relevant engagement: the investiture of the new president of the Dominican Republic.
Although he was enjoying a few days of rest, apparently in Greece with Queen Letizia and his daughters, Leonor and Sofia, the monarch decided to temporarily leave his retreat to fulfill his royal duty.
King Felipe in the Dominican Republic
Felipe Vi traveled to Madrid and from there he flew to Santo Domingo, where he would spend two days in the Caribbean.
The King’s arrival in the Dominican Republic took place on August 15 and was marked by a warm welcome from local authorities.
Although the main reason for his visit was to attend the inauguration of Luis Abinader, Felipe VI took the opportunity to visit some of the most emblematic places of the city and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.
One of the first moments of the trip was an official reception at the National Palace, where the King had a brief meeting with President Abinader before meeting with the Spanish community residing in the country.
In these official acts, the monarch attracted attention not only for his presence, but also for the elegance and adaptability of his attire.
After the welcome, Felipe VI changed his usual suit for a guayabera, a typical garment of the region, ideal for the high temperatures of Santo Domingo.
In this more casual attire, the King visited the Museum of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, one of the cultural jewels of the country and recently restored.
The central event of his trip was undoubtedly the inauguration of the Dominican president.
The King’s presence at this ceremony underlines the importance of relations between Spain and the Dominican Republic, and highlights the key role of the Spanish monarchy in international politics, especially in Latin America.
This is not the first time that the King interrupts his summer vacation to fulfill his royal duties.
Already last year, he had to travel to Paraguay in a similar situation. Interestingly, it was also on August 15, which allowed him to enjoy a last day with his family before Princess Leonor began her training at the Military Academy in Zaragoza.
On both occasions, Felipe VI traveled alone, while Queen Letizia and her daughters continued their vacation at a private destination, away from the public eye.