King Felipe once again criticized ongoing secessionist tensions in the autonomous region of Catalonia.
Last night the King, speaking during the Princess of Asturias awards ceremony in the Spanish Principality of Asturias, said his nation would respond to the pro-independence threat within the constitution.
Kind Felipe gave one of the awards to European Union leaders and said Spaniards were proud of their commitment to Europe and Democracy.
His Majesty said Catalonia would continue being an essential part of Spain into the 21st Century.
This morning the Spanish government took steps to take over parts of Catalan autonomy and call new elections within six months.
The Catalan leadership recently held an illegal pro-independence referendum and came close to seceding.
The vast majority of people who voted agreed with independence, but fewer than half of eligible voters went to the polls.
The Princess of Asturias is the King and Queen’s daughter, and heir to the Spanish throne. She was not at the ceremonies, which typically stretch over three days.
The Queen is due in Geneva in the coming days for a meeting at the World Health Organization.
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