Felipe de Borbón y Grecia (born Jan 30, 1968) is the King of Spain and an alumnus of Georgetown University (MSFS 1995). Also known as Felipe VI since ascending the throne in 2014, his full name is Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Grecia. He became Prince of Asturias (or heir presumptive to the throne) in 1977.
Prince Felipe received a master's degree in International Relations from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service in 1995. Johnathan Baliff (MSFS'95), one of Prince Felipe's classmates, said, "Although we knew Felipe was, well Prince Felipe, he was from the very beginning, just another one of our classmates."1
In 1999, Prince Felipe and Georgetown University President Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J. announced the creation of the Prince of Asturias Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Spanish Studies. This position was endowed by the Spanish national electricity company, ENDESA, with a gift of $1.5 million and is intended to increase knowledge of Spanish government and culture. ENDESA CEO Raphael Miranda said that he hoped the position would “offer a vision of Spanish reality to students of the whole world” and that it “responds to the aim of our foundation, which is to develop cultural activities related to the areas of our international expansion.” 2
In 2006, Prince Felipe came to Georgetown for the dedication of a new book collection in his name. The Prince of Asturias collection, which focuses on Spanish history and politics, was donated by Juan Linz (a professor emeritus at Yale University) and his wife. At the event, Prince Felipe noted that he has tried to visit Georgetown each year since his graduation.3
In 2015, King Felipe VI visited Georgetown along with his wife, Queen Letizia, to launch a conference of Spanish scientists. In a speech at the event he said, “This institution is really close to my heart. As you know, it contributed to my personal and intellectual education in such a way that I will always be grateful and honored."
- 1"Felipe VI (MSFS’95) becomes King of Spain." Georgetown University MSFS, June 19 2014. https://msfs.georgetown.edu/timeline/felipe-vi-msfs-95-becomes-king-of-spain/
- 2Emily Lyons, "GU Creates New Spanish Studies Chair," The Hoya, March 26, 1999. https://thehoya.com/gu-creates-new-spanish-studies-chair/
- 3Stephen Santulli, "Spanish Prince Praises Georgetown," The Hoya, October 6, 2006. https://thehoya.com/news-in-brief-11/
