A Royal Visit

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Summary

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain came to town to launch a new exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.

Story Published: Nov 22, 2004 at 3:36 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:47 AM PDT

A Royal Visit
SEATTLE - A royal treat Monday for some kids at the Seattle Art Museum. Local fifth graders were granted an audience with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.

It's not uncommon for 10-year-olds to dream of knights in shining armor and vivid portraits of kings and queens. But this is no dream.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were here to launch the new exhibit "Spain In The Age Of Exploration" at the Seattle Art Museum.

"It was so cool because like they rule everything," laughed Kyle, 10. "I asked them if they spend time with other kings and queens and they said 'Yes, we're actually related to them.'"

"The kids were awesome," said Lee Rolfe, an art docent at SAM. "Each one of them was composed and well prepared. They learned how to call them your majesty and look them in the eye."

The kids marveled at masterpieces from Spain's royal collections. More than 100 works of art by masters such as Titian, Velazquez and Benini. Some dated back to the time of Queen Isabel and Columbus.

"This Benini sculpture is an exquisite piece," said Rolfe. "Even if you were in Spain and went to the palace where it's housed you probably wouldn't get to see it. So, we're very fortunate that it here for the children and for all of us to see."

Some of the exhibit is interactive. If you ever dreamed of being a knight in shining armor now is your chance because there are some pieces of armor you can actually try on.

Exhibit sponsors hope you'll also try on the history from the kings and queens of centuries ago.

On their way back to Spain, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia plan to meet Wednesday with President Bush in Texas.