Next October, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will embark on their second state trip of the year, this time to Jordan.
From October 5-7, the monarchs will visit the country in response to a personal invitation from King Abdullah II, who recently visited Spain.
What makes this occasion special is that it will be the first time that the King and Queen of Spain will visit Jordan as monarchs, as they have not returned on an official visit since the proclamation of Felipe VI ten years ago.
The King and Queen of Spain’s trip to Jordan
Despite the expectations and the diplomatic importance of the trip, there is a great latent concern related to security, especially due to the tense situation in Gaza.
However, sources close to the Royal Household have confirmed that the trip is still on, and both Spanish and Jordanian security teams are working closely to ensure the safety of the monarchs during their stay in Jordan.
A trip with personal ties
Jordan is not an unfamiliar destination for Felipe and Letizia. In fact, it was one of the places chosen by the couple to spend part of their honeymoon in 2004. Moreover, in 2011, when they were still princes of Asturias, they paid an official visit to the country.
Relations between the two royal houses have been very close for decades, thanks to the friendship between King Hussein of Jordan and King Juan Carlos.
This trip will serve not only to strengthen ties between the two countries, but also to deepen relations on key issues such as politics, economy and culture.
During the three-day visit, the kings will share a joint agenda with Abdullah II and Queen Rania, although there will also be times when activities will be divided in pairs.
An intense agenda
Among the highlights of the trip is a gala dinner hosted by the King and Queen of Jordan in honor of their Spanish guests, which will be reciprocated with a return dinner hosted by Felipe and Letizia as a farewell event.
A meeting between businessmen from both countries is also expected to take place, with the aim of strengthening bilateral economic relations.
The King and Queen will also have the opportunity to meet with members of the Spanish colony in Jordan, which currently numbers approximately 60,000 people.
Such meetings are customary on state trips and provide an opportunity to strengthen ties between the royal family and Spanish citizens abroad.
Security concerns
However, it is not all celebration. The situation in Gaza has generated some concern among journalists who will accompany the kings on this trip. Although a situation of extreme danger is not foreseen, the Spanish and Jordanian security authorities are taking all necessary precautions.
“Several weeks before the trip, Spanish security agents already went to Jordan to study the terrain, know the usual routes and plan emergency routes,” sources close to Zarzuela explained to the Spanish portal Monarquia Confidencial.
Despite these concerns, the King’s Household has assured that the possibility of canceling the trip has not been contemplated, and they have full confidence in the security plan implemented by both countries.