It is in the Official Chamber of the Royal Palace where the new ambassador presents the Letters of Credence before His Majesty the King. After a brief meeting with the Head of State, the ambassador leaves the Royal Palace in the official vehicle to the sound of the Spanish Anthem.
Felipe VI received in the Royal Palace of Madrid the credentials letters of the ambassadors of Antigua and Barbuda, Kuwait, Costa Rica, Uzbekistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil and Senegal.
The first to present his credentials to the King was the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, Dario Item, followed by the Ambassador of Kuwait, Ayadah M. A. Alsaidi; the Ambassador of Costa Rica, Ana Helena Chacón Echevarría; the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Jakhongir Ganiev; the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Louise Nzanga Ramazani; the Ambassador of Brazil, Pompeu Andreucci Neto; and the Ambassador of Senegal, Mariame Sy Epse Sy.
The presentation of credentials to the Head of State is a necessary requirement for the full incorporation of ambassadors into their respective legations. The seven new ambassadors arrived successively at the Royal Palace in a carriage following a protocol with National Heritage civilian personnel dressed in period costumes. Upon arrival, a detachment of members of the Royal Guard welcomed them to the Patio of the Armory to the sound of the national anthems of each of the countries.
The protocol establishes that the King waits in the centre of the room for the announcement of the name of the new diplomatic representative, who stands in front of Felipe VI and gives him his credentials. He then introduces him to his collaborators, who are also present at the ceremony.
Josep Borrell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation, Jaime Alfonsín, head of the King’s House, Alfonso Sanz Pórtoles, diplomatic adviser of the King’s House, and the field assistant of the Military Chamber are usually witnesses of this moment.
Subsequently, the new ambassadors hold a meeting with the King in which they discuss bilateral relations and other matters of interest.
What does an ambassador do?
In simple terms, an Ambassador must:
- Represent his Country and protect its interests;
- Establish and negotiate relations with the political class of the accrediting State;
- Face and try to contain possible crisis situations;
- Promote the image of the Country;
- Exercise the functions of the Consulate (in Countries where there is none);
- Study political and commercial problems and prepare cooperation projects with different countries.