Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia finished up their trip to New Zealand Tuesday, and moved onto to Australia Wednesday. All for raising Spain’s profile in Oceania.
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Even the King said his country and New Zealand were getting to know each other better, as he and the Queen were given a stately welcome outside Parliament in Wellington during their second day in the country. That included a powhiri from Maori leaders, and Juan Carlos and Sofia greeted the leaders in the traditional Maori way, by pressing their foreheads and noses against the other person.
Earlier in the day, the King and Queen had a luncheon with Prime Minister John Key. King Juan Carlos even laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. He also opened the Spanish embassy in Wellington with Queen Sofia.
While in Wellington, the King signed the working holiday agreement. It allows Kiwis from ages 18 – 30 to work in Spain for up to six months, and live in the country for one year maximum. The same goes for Spaniards in New Zealand.
Later on, Queen Sofia watched the Royal New Zealand Ballet rehearse upcoming performances for such ballets as Romeo and Juliet.
With that, the Spanish King and Queen were done with New Zealand.
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Wednesday saw Juan Carlos and Sofia arrive in Canberra, the capital of Australia. They were greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and a group of Aborigines from the Ngambri tribe. Rudd said the Aborigines were part of Australia’s apology to the poor treatment of the indigenous Australians.
“[W]e have therefore incorporated Aboriginal welcomes into the formal ceremonial of our nation for visiting guests, heads of government and heads of state,” said the Prime Minister.
“And for your majesties’ visit, yours is the first occasion into which we’ve incorporated this into our ceremonial.”
Rudd had said in speech in both Spanish and English, and his Spanish was well received by the country’s delegation.
While in Canberra, the King and Queen met with the Governor General, and the leader of the opposition.
They would be in Australia until Friday.
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