As the sun was about to set in Palma, the intensity of the floodlights installed in the gardens of the Palacio de Marivent increased slightly. They lit up the esplanade for just over two hours where Casa del Rey protocol staff set up the 16 high tables – dressed in white linen tablecloths and small lamps as centerpieces – for the reception which the Kings organized last night for nearly 400 people at his summer residence. The chirping of the cicadas continued, but the guests were still grateful: “At the Almudaina Palace, it was much warmer.
It was a very special evening for Don Felipe and Doña Letizia and for the civil, commercial, institutional and cultural society of the Balearic Islands. After two summers in which this reception had to be suspended due to the pandemic, its celebration marked a return to normal. And, in addition, with airs renewed by the Casa del Rey, since until now this massive act had taken place at the Royal Palace of Almudaina.
Don Felipe’s decision
And it is that this Thursday, for the first time in 49 years – since they began to spend the summer here on August 4, 1973 – the royal family opened the doors of Marivent to the public while they were installed in their summer residence. And they literally opened them, because the guests and the press entered the room through the main door, which was opened expressly for the reception, because when the royal family is installed there, this door always remains closed.
Offices and residence for security personnel
Porto Pi Naval Base (shuttle departure)
guest entrance door
open gardens
to the public
His Wind
Residence of the Kings
Residence of the Infantas Elena and Cristina
Source: Own production / ABC / E. SECURITY
Offices and residence for security personnel
Porto Pi Naval Base (shuttle departure)
guest entrance door
open gardens
to the public
His Wind
Residence of the Kings
Residence of the Infantas Elena and Cristina
Source: Own production / ABC / E. SECURITY
The decision to transfer the reception of the Balearic society to Marivent falls to Felipe VI. The Almudaina Palace had long since become too small and the restrictions that are still in place due to the pandemic demanded an outdoor space, which led the king to make the decision that the act should take place in his residence. In May 2017 he had already signed an agreement with the Government of the Balearic Islands whereby part of the Marivent gardens are open to the public just over nine months a year and, with the reception last night, he wanted to make a gesture more with Mallorcan society. .
To all these first times is added another: the presence of Queen Sofía. The mother of Felipe VI received, together with her son and Doña Letizia – dressed by Ibizan designer Charo Ruiz – all the guests. That Doña Sofía is in Mallorca has been known since mid-July, when she moved to Marivent and spent a few days with her daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina. However, it was only yesterday evening that she was seen for the first time in public and her presence was confirmed in Marivent and on the island.
The President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol (PSOE), was one of the first to arrive. Their government partners (Podemos and Més per Mallorca) were not present, as they had announced in advance that they would not attend the meeting.
Podemos and Més per Mallorca, government partners of Armengol, did not attend the meeting
In the absence of a few institutional representatives, the citizens of the Balearic Islands who lined up interminably to greet the King and Queen were represented by nearly 400 guests from all sectors, from the four islands that make up the archipelago. Among the guests, in addition to the civil and military authorities, were institutional, consular, economic representatives – from the business world, trade unions and local chambers of commerce –, academics and solidarity associations and NGOs.
The world of culture was represented by fashion designers, musicians, gallerists, writers and the winners of the Ramón Llull Prize for Catalan Letters and the winners of the Gold Medals of the Balearic Islands 2022, among others. Representatives of the different religious denominations, athletes, cooks, winners of gold medals from the autonomous community, the media and students with the highest marks of selectivity were also present.
The Kings receive representatives of Balearic society
After the initial greeting of the King and Queen Sofía to all the guests, a delicious cocktail was served standing on the esplanade of the palace based on cod gildas with tomatoes and chillies; corn tacos and black pork suckling pig; red shrimp with rice and fried eggs; mini Mallorcan fish empanada; Seafood ceviche on shell and crispy spicy tuna tartare. All accompanied by local wines.
The Mallorcan signed the menu Santi Taura. The chef put the finishing touches to an evening that represented a logistical and security challenge for Casa del Rey. The catering kitchens have been set up in part of the gardens near La Masía, the auxiliary building where the chef of Casa del Rey has his office, Jaime Alfonsin; Heads of Protocol and Communications and Secretariat staff. The services on the ground floor of La Masía served as bathrooms for the guests; while portable toilets have been set up in another area of the gardens for them.
logistical difficulty
From half past seven in the afternoon, shuttles were making round trips to transport guests and media from the Porto Pi naval base – which was used as a parking lot – inside Marivent. The Palace’s main gate is located on a two-lane road, so congestion of taxis and vehicles would have been a security concern. From Casa del Rey there was some concern about this first arrival at the military installations, in case it was a little cold and unwelcoming, which was solved by the proximity of all the service personnel, who greeted the very smiling guests with trays of water and soft drinks.