Spain’s Royal Family celebration National Day with the customary military parade in Madrid and a reception at the Royal Palace.
The day is meant to celebrate Hispanic heritage and the country’s sponsorship of Christopher Columbus’ travels to the new world.
The celebrations come amid deep divisions in Spain about national identity and whether to even celebrate Christopher Columbus.
They also come ahead of national elections in December, which may see significant changes in leadership.
Roughly 2,000 people received invitations to the palace reception and Albert Rivera, head of the rising party Ciudadanos, was among the big names in attendance.
Pablo Iglesias, the leader of left-wing party Podemos, thought he hadn’t received an invitation to attend the Royal Palace reception.
Even though it turned out to be a mix-up, Iglesias ended up skipping the event.
Spain’s national day also came amid ongoing nationalist sentiments in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
Leaders of both autonomous communities declined an invitation to the festivities in Madrid.
LOS BORBONES 