The princes of Asturias travel to Japan to visit the Expo de Aichi
MARIÁNGEL ALCÁZAR - 02/06/2005
TOKIO
The princes of Asturias arrive today at Tokyo after surpassing the twelve flight hours, plus the seven of hour difference, that separate Madrid of the Japanese capital. Don Felipe and Doña Letizia travel to Japan with the objective to visit the Expo de Aichi.
Yesterday, in average afternoon, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia they took off on Barajas on board off an official airplane of the Spanish Air Force used normally for the trips of State. The House of the King chose this option, as opposed to the one of the regular flight or a smaller official airplane, to facilitate the trip to the Princess, pregnant of 16 weeks, since the Airbus is formed, in its front part, with two rooms that include bed. In the security of the Princes appears a doctor.
Until only yesterday the uncertainty stayed about the possibility that the princess was finally low in the trip. The House of the King has prepared the trip giving by made the presence of Doña Letizia in Japan and the program with this premise has been elaborated, although the spokesmen of the Zarzuela always have put upon the table the eventuality of which the doctor who takes care of the princess advised against the trip.
The displacement to Japan was programmed several months ago and existed the commitment of the House of the King to the organizers of the Expo of which the princes of Asturias would visit the Spanish pavilion of Aichi. The trip had been prepared for the month of April, period in which the inheriting princes of Holland, Guillermo and Maxima traveled to Japan, and those of Denmark, Federico and Mary. As much Maxima Zorreguieta as Mary Donalson was pregnant women, first of five months, and second, of three.
The incipiente pregnancy of Doña Letizia prevented to program the visit for the month of April and it was delayed until June in order that she had surpassed the 16 weeks of gestation. The commitments acquired with Japan have forced the House of the King to follow with the plans, although they was afraid that the annoyances of the princess put in danger their presence in this pasís. Finally, yesterday, with the permission of her doctor, Doña Letizia rose the airplane to Tokyo.
The Princes left yesterday in the evening Madrid and is predicted that today at noon (seven hours less in Spain) they arrive at the Japanese capital. The program of the visit will begin tomorrow Friday with the attendance of the Princes to the inauguration of VIII the Forum Spain-Japan and at night they will go to the Imperial Palace, to have supper with emperors Akihito and Michiko.
Saturday, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will offer a reception to the Spanish colony in Japan, before traveling to Nagoya, capital of the province of Aichi, where Universal Exhibition 2005 is located. The princes of Asturias will return to Tokyo and that same day they will have supper with the inheriting prince, Naruhito, and his wife, Masako. According to the official program, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will be received solely by the Japanese heir, since princess Masako, although will participate in the supper, will not appear in public.
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