King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, accompanied by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, reviewed a military parade and other demonstrations during the official commemoration of Spanish Armed Forces Day at the Plaza Mayor in Valladolid.
Almost 200 events were planned starting yesterday all around Spain and in the North African enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta to honor those who died or served in the different military branches. The Royal Family also visited with family members of the fallen. Spain has offered military support to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Spanish press is talking up the Monarch’s reappearance in public after his hip surgery and noted his difficulty walking. Journalists noted that the King remained standing up during the ceremonies.
Don Juan Carlos quipped, “Let’s see if you would have been able to do it.”
Defense Minister Pedro Morenés noted Spain’s relatively low spending on defense and this year’s more austere celebrations because of the economic crisis. Still, there were some anti-monarchist protests.
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