Spain’s Royal Family was in Barcelona this week for public events despite strong protests from Catalan separatists.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia were in the city to hand out the Princess of Girona Awards.
The King suggested his very presence in the city would send a message. He said intolerance and violence had no place in Catalonia.
The King’s daughter, Princess Leonor, who is Princess of Girona, said she was proud to hold the title. She spoke at length in Catalan.
Pro-independence leaders tried to convince electoral authorities to keep the Royal Family away because of the upcoming national voting. They accuse the King of not being an impartial broker.
Several police forces have converged in Barcelona for the royal visit and the upcoming elections.
As heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor holds several titles, including Princess of Asturias and of Girona.
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