King Felipe VI arrives in Zarzuela to attend the 85th birthday of his mother, Doña Sofía

This Thursday, November 2, Queen Sofia turns 85 years old. A date to celebrate with her family at a private lunch at the Palacio de La Zarzuela. One of the first to arrive at the palace was her son, Felipe VI (photo above). The emerita has taken advantage of the presence of her daughter, Infanta Cristina, and her sister-in-law, Ana María de Grecia, among other relatives, who were in Madrid on the occasion of Princess Leonor’s 18th birthday less than 48 hours ago.

A celebration that, like her granddaughter’s coming of age, will be marked by absences. The most famous, that of her husband. Don Juan Carlos left Spain on October 31 after two hours with his family at the Royal Palace of El Pardo. Froilán, who has returned to Dubai to resume his professional commitments, and Victoria Federica and Juan Urdangarin are also not present.

In the air, Queen Letizia’s attendance at this lunch. Doña Letizia does not have official events this Thursday. Just a day ago her daughters, Princess Leonor, would have returned to the Zaragoza Military Academy; and Infanta Sofía, to Wales to continue her International Baccalaureate studies at UWC Atlantic College.

The queen emeritus has reunited her three children, the King, Elena and Cristina. The former Duchess of Palma spent the entire morning with her mother, while Don Felipe and the first-born Infanta joined the celebration a little later. Her Majesty has presided over three military audiences in the Royal Palace. Around 2:00 p.m. she arrived at the La Zarzuela complex accompanied by a large security detail, to eat with her family. Minutes after her, Elena, who was leaving her job at the Mapfre Foundation without making any statements about Doña Sofía’s birthday, appeared in Zarzuela to personally congratulate her mother.