¡Viva Pensacola!

Thursday morning, Miss July and I strolled downtown to see the public festivities for the royal visit to Pensacola of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. The royals came here to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the first Spanish settlement in the area, which preceded the better-known settlement at St. Augustine by a full six years.

With apologies to those with slower intertubes, here are a few pics of the events:

King Juan Carlos I (blue suit, center) and Queen Sofia (lime green suit) arrive for the wreath laying at the site of Fort George, where the Spanish defeated the British in 1781.

Florida dignitaries arrive for the wreath laying, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (red tie), Kitty (Mrs. Mel) Martinez (blonde hair, partially visible to Nelson's left), Florida's First Lady Carole Crist (dark hair, black coat to Nelson's left), Gov. Charlie Crist (behind photographer), and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (immediately behind Gov. Crist).

"You bet I'll be at the wrestling Friday night!"

The King and Queen await the wreath laying.

The King and Queen (standing at far right) listen to the remarks of University of West Florida president Judith A. Bense (at podium). Observing the proceedings (backs to the camera) are (l-r) Carole Crist, Charlie Crist, Bill Nelson, Mel Martinez, and Kitty Martinez.

Marines salute as the King and Queen present the wreath.

Another view of the wreath laying, featuring the bust of Spanish Field Marshal and Governor General Bernardo de Galvez.

The royals smile after spotting a couple of small girls with flowers, which one of the security guards retrieved and presented to the Queen (the flowers, not the girls) as the motorcade departed from the wreath laying.

The King and Queen greet a crowd of about 2,500 at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum. Immediately to the Queen's left is Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

Gov. Crist delivers his remarks at the Wentworth Museum while King Juan Carlos looks on.

Palafox Street, like much of downtown Pensacola, was festooned with Spanish flags for the occasion.

Charlie don't do protocol

According to Progressive Pensacola, Gov. Charlie Crist isn't up to speed on his royal protocol, as he committed a major gaffe (and a somewhat lesser one) during the recent Florida visit of Spain's King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia.

It seems Our Charlie left dinner in Miami early Friday night, leaving an empty seat beside the Queen ... and you don't want to piss off the Queen. (All "queen" puns and jokes regarding Gov. Crist may be left below in Comments.)

Not only that, he asked the Spanish foreign minister, who was seated beside the governor, to move so his wife Carole could sit by her husband. As Progressive Pensacola put it, "Why was it so vital that Mrs. Crist move next to Charlie? Are they that in love, that they just can’t bear to be apart for a dinner?"

Actually, my guess is that Charlie needs his wife near him at all time to avoid, well, let's just say the appearance of impropriety, so to speak. Or maybe the foreign minister's gaydar was too well tuned? You make the call ...