Queen Emeritus Sofia is visiting the vibrant city of New York, where she has a busy schedule.
Although this trip has an institutional background, she has made it very clear that it also serves to show her support for her son, King Felipe VI, after the recent events in Valencia.
The situation in Valencia has been complicated. The visit of King Felipe and Queen Letizia to Paiporta, an area severely affected by the floods, was tense, as they were received with shouts and criticism from the victims, who even threw mud and expressed that the aid received was not enough.
In the midst of these relief efforts and the search for the missing, Queen Sofia has had to make her trip to New York.
Queen Sofia in New York
Despite her packed schedule of professional commitments, this trip followed her 86th birthday celebration on November 2.
However, this year her celebration was marked by tragedy due to the rains in Spain, which affected the festive atmosphere.
The queen plans to remain in New York until Wednesday, November 6. Although nothing has been confirmed, it is possible that her schedule will be adjusted, given the difficult situation in Spain, which could lead her to return to Madrid earlier.
One of the elements that makes it impossible for the Queen to cancel her trip is the enormous effort that has been put into its organization. Among the outstanding events is the presentation of the Excellence Award 2024 to the renowned musical director Gustavo Dudamel.
Sofía’s agenda also includes a visit to a Fernando Botero exhibition at Sotheby’s Gallery and the presentation of the ‘America&Spain250 Initiative’, promoted by the Cervantes Institute, which seeks to analyze relations between the United States and Spain.
Although the Queen has not commented directly on the tensions facing her son, she has made her support clear through her choice of attire, something typical of royalty.
For the recognition of Gustavo Dudamel, Sofia chose an elegant green two-piece ensemble. In Spain, this color has a clear connotation with the monarchy and symbolizes support for the king, as in Spanish it is associated with the Spanish acronym for “Long live the king of Spain.”
So, as Queen Sofia fulfills her commitments in New York, her meaning-laden silence and choice of attire will convey her support for the royal family in these difficult times.