A GOLDEN MOMENT: SPANISH ROYALTY PRESENTS LÓPEZ WITH MEDAL OF HONOR

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have presented Universal Music LATAM & Iberian Peninsula Chairman/CEO Jesús López with the nation's highest honor: the Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts. López is the first music executive to be recognized with the honor, which was bestowed at the Palace of Congress in Cadiz.

The Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts is awarded by Spain's Ministry of Culture to recognize individuals and entities that have excelled in the field of artistic and cultural creation and rendered outstanding service in the promotion, development and dissemination of art and culture and the conservation of artistic heritage.

On receiving the medal, López stated: “To become the first to receive this recognition has a double meaning for me. First, it makes me and my family very proud and grateful, but it also rewards the work of so many record executives in the world of Spanish culture. I thank all the artists, composers, producers and colleagues across the different recording companies where I've worked and continue working for their support and affection. Without them, this recognition would have never been possible."

The reception playlist naturally included "Despacito" and "La Macarena."