Spanish King and Queen on official State Visit

A formal visit even if it is also within the family as the Danish and Spanish royal families are also related. The most public event is the official carriage ride through the streets of Copenhagen.

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Picture and text by Bente D. Knudsen

Not since 1983 has there been an official Spanish State visit to Denmark. Normally there is only one for each monarch and this occasion is the invitation by the Danish Queen of the “new” Spanish King. It should have come at an earlier occasion, but the coronavirus epidemic put a stop to all official visits.

State visits take time to plan as they also entail a huge entourage of not only royals but also business people and other stakeholders who use the official state visit as a door opener.

On 6 to 8 November the Spanish King and Queen have a packed program which starts with the magnificent carriage ride from Kastellet to Amalienborg. It is the only real event where the Danish public can get close to the visitors along the route.

Riding along in the carriage will be the Danish Queen accompanying the Spanish couple on 6 November at 14:45.

If weather permits the carriage will even be open with ample opportunity along the route to cheer the royals. The route is from Kastellet along Store Kongensgade to Marmorkirken, across Bredgade to Amalienborg Castle.

The carriage will stop in front of the guest palace, Christian 7’s palace and the royals will descend to enter the palace, another photo opportunity should you get a good place to watch.

Find the route here.

Read more about the horses and carriage ride in our article here.

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The State visit aims to promote cooperation and business opportunities within the health sector, green energy transition and climate change amongst other. A large business conference with more than 50 Spanish and 100 Danish businesses will enable many to meet up to discuss opportunities.

The Spanish King is godfather to the Danish Crown Prince Couple’s youngest son and also related to the Danish royal family, so it will also be a family visit.

The King and Queen will be staying at Fredensborg Castle where the Danish Queen is in residence at the moment. The Danish Crown Prince Couple will accompany the Spanish Royals for most visits as the Danish Queen is an elderly lady and these visits can be quite strenuous.

Two large dinner parties will take place, one hosted by the Danish Queen at Christiansborg Palace and this will be transmitted in DR1 and on dr.dk. The main gala dinner will be on Monday 6 November with guests arriving from 19:00 and the dinner starting at 20:00.

It will be with all the finest in terms of dresses and uniforms and tiaras and diamonds as well.

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The Spanish King and Queen will also be meet up with Spanish nationals living in Denmark.

Around 10,000 Spanish nationals live in Denmark working within different areas, around 150 have been invited to meet the Spanish royals selected based on as diverse a range as possible, young and older and working within both private and international organisations.

Spain is the number one tourist destination for Danes with more than one million annual visits and many direct flights.

The visit will be covered by quite an international media with 7 Danish, 13 international and 15 Spanish media announced to participate.

The full program is available at the site of the Danish royal house here.

The carriage ride route is available here. It will take place on Monday 6 November with departure from Kastellet at 14:45 and arrival at Amalienborg at 15:00.