Overview

• King Felipe VI was awarded his third honorary doctorate in six months by the University of Coimbra, recognizing his contributions to innovation.
• The ceremony, held on May 13, 2025, was attended by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who also received honorary doctorates.
• In his speech, Felipe VI highlighted the shared maritime and legal heritage of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, emphasizing their alignment within Europe.
• He called for a united Europe focused on collective security and defense, framed as a responsibility to protect European values rather than oppose others.
• The event coincided with the XVIII Cotec Europa summit, promoting innovation and competitiveness across the three nations.