Felipe and Letizia
These two have been travelling around Spain to promote tourism, since the coronavirus lockdown has been lifted. (Congrats, Spain! I hope you are all well and healthy.) Here, they're in the Canary Islands. Although I don't think we need to get into another argument about masks, as a factual bit of information, they are primarily wearing masks at these engagements and taking them off for full-length photos. Did you know that people used to think that the Canary Islands were the only remaining visible part of Atlantis? I learned that reading this Lonely Plant article about their history, much of which was -- unsurprisingly -- violent and terrible. Interestingly, it seems that since the 60s, (spurred by Franco), there has been a movement for the Canary Islands to regain independence from Spain. This is obviously not something I can speak to with any authority, but I found it interesting.
Also, I do enjoy espadrille season, and I like this dress. Letizia is pretty good at the Floaty Summer Look.
I don't know what these plants are, but they're very cool-looking. Are they bananas? They look like banana leaves to me, and I know bananas are a main export.
Felipe and Letizia Visit Majorca
This is a rewear from Letizia, which I know because I bought this dress the last time she wore it and I've never gotten to wear it out. We had some interesting discussions over the last few weeks about what the purpose of the monarchy is in a modern era -- and that's a long conversation -- but it does seem like if you're gonna have a monarchy, using them to seduce tourists to come visit is probably a big part of it.
Spanish Royals attend contemporary flamenco performance
This was last week at a "contemporary flamenco performance at the Teatros del Canal." Everyone looks reasonable! I see the princesses are deep in Light Jacket season.
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe visit the Institute of Tropical Medicine
Per Informative Captions, "ITM is an important partner in the fight against the coronavirus" -- in addition to tourism campaigns, most royals seem like they're working on bringing attention to the various scientific and medical research groups who are working on COVID-19. I always wonder if this is useful -- and I know we have a lot of medical professionals in our readership who would perhaps actually know the answer to this -- or if it's a waste of time for the scientists. (I imagine that it's at least good PR for fundraising?)
Prince William
Related, Wills here is visiting with "a patient participating in the Covid-19 vaccine trial at the Oxford Vaccine Group's facility at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford... Trials began on 23rd April, with ten thousand people across the UK in the process of being vaccinated in the latest study to assess the potential success of the treatment, with the UK Government providing £84 million for the University of Oxford to develop and manufacture its coronavirus vaccine." Well, God speed to you all.
Queen Maxima
And she, in fact, is learning about "the importance of well-trained technical personnel for SMEs and the impact of the corona pandemic COVID-19." SMEs are "small and medium-sized enterprises," I think. I appreciate Maxima showing us her bracelet, and the orange feels very patriotic.
Albert, Jacques, Gabriella, Charlene
Meanwhile, in Monaco, they're marking the Fete de la Saint Jean, which is a big event for the country, and which happens on the Summer Solstice every year (if my very poor French is to be believed). Charlene's lipstick is great. Also, in looking this up, I discovered that Monaco -- which I knew was very small -- is only 499 acres. It's smaller than Central Park. I suspect there are people reading this right now who live on a property larger than Monaco. (It's very dense, however. Mostly with millionaires? I've never been to Monaco, but I suspect it is weird.) That is wild.