Spanish King, Queen Begin 1st Official Visit to Egypt

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Egypt on Tuesday for a four-day state visit, their first official trip to the country since Felipe’s accession to the throne in 2014. 

The visit, taking place from September 16 to 19 at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is being described as “historic.” They are accompanied by Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

The royal couple’s trip follows President Sisi’s state visit to Madrid in February, during which Egypt and Spain elevated their ties to a “strategic partnership.” 

Spanish daily El Diario noted that the king and queen’s presence in Cairo is expected to further strengthen bilateral political, economic, and cultural cooperation, while also bolstering Egypt’s regional diplomacy.

Spain has repeatedly acknowledged Egypt’s role as a key mediator in Middle East conflicts, particularly its efforts in brokering ceasefire agreements in Gaza. In their February joint statement, Madrid praised Egypt’s contribution as “an essential pillar for regional stability and security.”

According to the Royal Household, the king’s agenda in Egypt blends political, economic, and cultural engagements. He is set to meet Parliament Speaker Hanafy Gebaly, Senate President Abdel Wahab Abdel Razek, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Luxor. He will also open the Egypt-Spain Business Forum, aimed at deepening trade and investment ties.

Cultural diplomacy will feature prominently, with visits to Egyptian archaeological sites linked to long-standing Spanish missions. The royal couple will tour the Temple of Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Kings, where they will attend the unveiling of new Spanish-installed lighting. They will also visit Luxor Museum, explore Spanish-led excavations, and meet teams working on restoration projects supported by Spain.

The trip comes ahead of the much-anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in November, an event to which King Felipe and Queen Letizia have also been invited.