Letters of credence from new ambassadors

The accredited ambassadors were the representatives from the Republic of Guinea, Framoi Mara; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-Mogrin; the Republic of Kenya, Nairimas Sharon Ole-Sein; the Argentine Republic, Roberto Sebastián Bosch; the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Zahoor Ahmed; and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Gladys María Gutiérrez Alvarado.

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 of 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.