PROTOCOL

His Majesty the King receives letters of credence from new ambassadors

Six extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors, appointed by their States as national representatives in Spain, have presented their letters of credence to King Felipe VI, accompanied by the Under-Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Luis Cuesta.

April 8, 2024

The accredited ambassadors were, in the following order, the representatives of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelfetah Daghmoum; of the Republic of Albania, Entela Gjika; of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Farrukh Tursunov; of the Republic of Panama, Itzel Anays Patiño Guerra de Villarreal; of the Republic of Serbia, Irena Šarac; and of the Republic of Ecuador, Wilma Piedad Andrade Muñoz.

The ceremony for presenting letters of credence to the head of State dates back to the 18th century and has remained virtually unchanged to the present day. The new ambassadors travel from the Palace of Santa Cruz, the historic headquarters of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to the Royal Palace, escorted by the Royal Guard Squadron on horseback and the Municipal Police Scouting Squad. On arrival at the Palace, they are welcomed in the Patio de la Armería by the Royal Guard band, which plays the anthems of their respective countries. As per tradition, His Majesty King Felipe VI receives the accreditation documents and holds a brief individual meeting with each new ambassador.

Photos: Pepe Méndez y María Lucía Rodríguez (Nolsom)