Official visit of His Majesty King Felipe VI to the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe

• The Spanish head of state travelled accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles and the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro E. Lopez Calderon

His Majesty King Felipe VI has visited today the facilities of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). His Majesty had already visited these facilities in 2018, therefore this is the second time since his coronation that the King has been received at the Allied Headquarters.

Upon his arrival, the monarch was welcomed by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Christopher Cavolli, accompanied by the Allied military leadership.

Felipe VI held a working meeting in which General Cavolli presented him with the Atlantic Alliance's new plans for territorial defence and the strategy for the southern flank, as it was agreed at the Madrid Summit.

After this working session, the King signed the SHAPE Book of Honour. General Cavolli was then awarded the Grand Cross of Naval Merit, in recognition for the work he has carried out in full cooperation with our armed forces, maintaining a close relationship at all times. Since his appointment as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and NATO Strategic Commander, responsible for all NATO operations in Europe, he has proven to be an excellent collaborator with the Chief of Defence Staff on both bilateral and multilateral issues. This award recognises both his personal achievements and his stature as an ally.

King Felipe VI's visit to Mons concluded with a meeting with Spanish staff working at SHAPE, with whom he had the opportunity to speak and be briefed on their work at NATO Headquarters Europe.