King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed guests to their summer residence.
Earlier this summer, King Felipe awarded Rafael Nadal a noble title, making him the Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca—the first man to hold the title. Last night, the Spanish king and the rest of the Spanish royal family welcomed Nadal to the Marivent Palace, for the traditional summer reception celebrating representatives of the Balearic Islands.
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía attended the annual event for the first time this year, and they were joined by their grandmother Queen Sofía, who made a rare public appearance.
As she arrived, Queen Sofía linked arms with her granddaughters. Her husband, the former king Juan Carlos I, was not present; he lives in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates.
Nadal attended the reception alongside Rudy Fernandez, a former Spanish basketball player, and Fernandez’s wife, Helen Lindes, a former Miss Spain. Nadal’s wife, Maria Francisca Perello, is pregnant with the couple’s second child, due this summer.
When Nadal arrived, he greeted each member of the Spanish royal family and spoke with them briefly.
The reception is held during the Spanish royal family’s stay in Palma de Mallorca at Marivent Palace. According to Casa Real, “This reception, now part of the summer institutional calendar in the Balearic capital, brought together around 700 guests. Among those attending were representatives of the branches of government, regional and local authorities, as well as prominent members of public and private institutions in the Balearic Islands. The diversity of sectors present reflects the diversity of Balearic society: from official associations, business and trade union organizations, religious denominations, foundations and associations, to professionals in the fields of healthcare, culture, architecture, sports, gastronomy, and media.”
