Spanish royal visit

A visit by Spanish royalty, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia, took place on February 19, 2009 as part of the Celebrate Pensacola festivities commemorating the 450th anniversary of the 1559 Luna expedition, which established "America's First Settlement" in the Pensacola area.

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. They were then transported to the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Hotel, where they stayed overnight.

Events

Breakfast

Approximately 45 Spanish expatriates were invited to a private breakfast with the King and Queen, held at 10:00 AM at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front.

Visit to Fort George

Later that morning, the King and Queen visited the Fort George site, where they participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.

Public address

King Juan Carlos I made a public address from the second floor balcony of the T. T. Wentworth Florida State Museum, overlooking Plaza Ferdinand VII. The King was introduced by The crowd was estimated between 2,000 and 3,000.

Luncheon

After his address, the King and Queen left for NAS Pensacola, where they attended a luncheon, held in the Blue Angels Atrium of the National Museum of Naval Aviation.

Departure

The King and Queen departed Pensacola for Miami in the late afternoon.