The Queen of Good Causes

MALLORCA: QUEEN Letizia of Spain was given a royal welcome when she visited Mallorca on a solo tour.

She was making an official visit, as opposed to one of her regular family holidays to the island, for the State Volunteering Congress in Palma where she presented a series of awards.

The visit was intended to highlight the need for volunteers and raise awareness for the charity. The Queen, pictured second from left with Balearic President Juan Ramon Bauza, left, President of the Balearic Parliament Margarita Duran and Mayor of Palma Mateu Isern, is well known for her work with charities, and this was just one aspect of that.

It was the second visit for Queen Letizia to the congress aimed at encouraging more people to volunteer their help for good causes across Spain.

It is a busy time for the monarch; she met Pope Francis last week and this was one of only a few solo engagements she has undertaken since her husband, Felipe was made King earlier this year.

During the conference, Queen Letizia, who is taking English lessons, made a short speech in German and then spoke briefly to the audience in English. 

She was joined on stage by President of the Balearics, Juan Ramon Bauza, Parliamentary President Margarita Duran and the mayor of Palma, Mateu Isern.

Charitable causes are close to Queen Letizia’s heart; she has spoken on behalf of various charities since her marriage to Felipe in 2004, and has done voluntary work, mainly with children particularly for causes relating to poverty and disability.

The royal couple are regular visitors to Mallorca where they spend their summer holidays with their two daughters Leonor and Sofia, staying at the royal residence, the Marivent Palace.