Despite the inclement weather last Wednesday a warm welcome awaited the Prince and Princess of Asturias when they arrived in Menorca to visit the units run by the Fundación para Personas con Discapacidad in Maó and Ciutadella.
The charity was the recipient of 140,000 euros which was part of the ten million euro legacy left to Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia in the will of Ciutadella businessman Juan Ignacio Balada Llabrés. The multimillionaire left part of his fortune directly to the Royal couple and part to be used by them for charitable purposes.
The heir to the Spanish throne explained that in such cases they would normally have renounced the inheritance, as the easiest solution, but Balada had stipulated that, should this happen, then his legacy was to go to Israel. The prince added that, although he was certain that Israel would have used the inheritance for a good cause or charity, maybe for something that would be of benefit to both countries, it was not felt that this would be the best way to ensure that the Spanish would benefit from the legacy. For this reason the Royal couple had decided to accept the inheritance but to use all the legacy for charitable purposes. A few days after announcing this decision the prince and princess received the petition from the foundation and, after studying it, decided to grant 140,000 euros to the Menorcan charity.
They stated that they would continue to give the money to those who needed it most, especially youngsters to help them to study and train in order to find work so that they could live as full a life as possible and realise their hopes and desires.
Surrounded by politicians and security forces, the first stop on the royal couple's itinerary was the foundation's new unit in Maó, the Centro Polivalente Carlos Mir, where, after speeches, they were taken on a tour of the unit and shown the work done by the handicapped people attending the centre. Prince Felipe then unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit and praised the work being done at the centre. He and his wife posed with staff and patients for photographs to be taken, before leaving for Ciutadella.
Their destination at the western end of the island was the kitchen of the Social Catering unit which prepared various dishes for their royal visitors and the hundred or so people accompanying them. On the menu were: vichyssoise with basil; courgettes stuffed with prawns; toasted bread with sobrasada and honey; breast of chicken stuffed with dried fruit with a pear compote; a variety of canapes; mushrooms stuffed with cheese and 'cuixot'; and pastries.
Both the royal visitors talked to the people working in the kitchen, the Princess laughing with one of the women.
They were then due to have visited the Ecoverd park but this was cancelled due to the cold and rain.
Following the official acts, the royal couple and authorities enjoyed a private meal at the Hotel Son Granot in Es Castell, before leaving the island after a short but satisfactory visit for all the parties involved.