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King Felipe VI Starts Private Holiday on a Sailboat in Mallorca

An antique drawing of a golden three-masted sailing ship.
Photo by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Unsplash

Spain's King Felipe VI has begun his private summer holiday on a sailboat in the waters near Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. He is spending time with a group of close friends.

Photos of the day show the king wearing swim shorts with a 'paisley' print, a swirly pattern often seen on summer clothes. The pictures were reportedly taken without the king knowing, a type of photo often called a candid shot in the media.

The outing was not only about relaxing. The group was also celebrating the recovery of a friend, Jaime Anglada, who had reportedly been unwell before returning to health. Spending the day at sea together was a way to mark this good news.

This trip forms part of the king's private life, separate from his official royal duties. Every summer, Felipe VI is known to take time off with family or friends, often choosing Mallorca, where the royal family has traditionally spent holidays.

Mallorca has long been a favourite destination for the Spanish royal family during the summer months. The island offers calm waters and a private setting, which makes it a popular choice for both relaxation and gatherings with friends.

Vocabulary7 words

holiday
time away from work to rest
sailboat
a boat that uses wind to move
print
a repeated pattern on cloth
candid shot
a photo taken without the person posing
recovery
the process of becoming healthy again
private life
personal time, not related to work
destination
a place people travel to

Quiz

1. What is the king doing near Mallorca?
2. What pattern did the king's swim shorts have?
3. Why was the day also a celebration?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Spain's King Felipe VI has begun his private summer _____ on a _____ in the waters near Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. He is spending time with a group of close friends.

Photos of the day show the king wearing swim shorts with a 'paisley' _____, a swirly pattern often seen on summer clothes. The pictures were reportedly taken without the king knowing, a type of photo often called a _____ in the media.

The outing was not only about relaxing. The group was also celebrating the _____ of a friend, Jaime Anglada, who had reportedly been unwell before returning to health.

This trip forms part of the king's _____, separate from his official royal duties. Every summer, Felipe VI is known to take time off with family or friends, often choosing Mallorca.

Mallorca has long been a favourite _____ for the Spanish royal family during the summer months.

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