Seven new ambassadors present their credentials to His Majesty the King

The accredited ambassadors were, in this order, the representatives of the Republic of the Sudan, Maha Suleiman Taha Ayoub; of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Tomaga; of the Sultanate of Oman, Omar Said Omar Al Kathiri; of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Geneviève Victorine Lukusa Kayembe; of the Republic of Colombia, Eduardo Ávila Navarrete; of the Republic of Honduras, Marlon Antonio Brevé Reyes, and of Japan, Takahiro Nakamae. The presentation of the letters of credence allows the ambassadors to be fully incorporated to their legations. 

Letters of credence are documents that accredit a foreign ambassador as the representative and most senior diplomatic dignitary of another country in Spain. The presentation ceremony to the Head of State dates back to the 18th century and has remained virtually unchanged since then.

The new ambassadors travel from the Santa Cruz Palace – official headquarters of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – to the Royal Palace in period carriages provided by National Heritage, accompanied by a squadron of the Royal Horse Guard and the Advance Squadron (Batidores) of the Municipal Police Force.  The Royal Guard music band receives the ambassadors at the Patio of the Royal Armoury (Patio de la Armería), playing the national anthem of their respective countries.