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==Background==
The visit by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía was arranged by [[Maria Davis]], a Spanish native who had moved to Pensacola in 1972 and served as Honorary Vice Consul of Spain since 1984. Davis had previously helped bring the Spanish naval training ship ''[[Juan Sebastian de Elcano]]'' to Pensacola four times; recruited Spanish grants for the restoration of [[St. Michael's Cemetery]]; led local delegations to Spain; and worked to initiate a student exchange program between the [[University of West Florida]] and the [[Wikipedia:University of the Balearic Islands|University de las Islas Baleares]] in Spain. UWF President Dr. [[Judy Bense]] said of Davis, "There is no better representative of either Pensacola or Spain than Maria. She may be less than five feet tall, but no one can say no to her. Not even royalty."<ref>"Pensacola resident helps to bring King, Queen of Spain to Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 6, 2009.</ref>
==Arrival==
The King and Queen traveled from Jamaica in a Spanish Air Force Airbus A310, landing at [[Sherman Field]], [[NAS Pensacola]], shortly after 11:00 PM on the evening of [[February 18]], [[2009]]. Their plane was expected to arrive earlier, but was delayed by heavy rainfall. The royal entourage was greeted by [[Pensacola Mayor]] [[Mike Wiggins]], [[NAS]] commanding officer Capt. [[Bill Reavy]] and Navy Rear Admiral [[Gary R. Jones]].<ref>"Spanish royals arrive." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 19, 2009.</ref> They were then transported to the [[Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front]] Hotel, where they stayed overnight.
==Events==