Business as usual

Before her husband abdicated, Queen Sofia said that nothing would change.  There would be a new king and a new queen but things would carry on much as they had before.  And in the night air of an August evening, that was pretty much how things appeared.  As King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia made their debut as monarchs in front of Mallorcan society at a reception at the Almudaina, they were joined by Queen Sofia.  Business as usual.

Two queens, one king - Felipe, Letizia and Sofia in Mallorca on August 7th 2014

Even the clothes were the same.  Every summer, for decades, Queen Sofia has hosted receptions on the island for the authorities and usually chooses a bright print trouser suit for the occasion.  In her first year as mother of a king, the outfit was exactly the same.  And with Queen Letizia in a white cocktail dress worn on Mallorca before it really was a repeat performance. 

Queen Sofia is back on duty, joining Queen Letizia and King Felipe in Mallorca

After a six week absence, Sofia and Juan Carlos have suddenly made eye catching reappearances on the royal agenda.  While the queen welcomed authorities on Mallorca, the king has been in Colombia for the swearing in of President Calderon for his second term of office.  Plenty has changed since June 19th but it seems that some things really have stayed the same.  

We three - the King of Spain with his wife and mother