King Felipe and Queen Letizia launched their agenda for the new year with the deeply traditional “Pascua Militar” events at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
King Felipe dedicated his annual Christmas message to urging Spaniards to be more positive and resolute, and to work together toward a more prosperous future.
The King recognized country’s economic crisis and political difficulties, but also pleaded with Spaniards to focus on the nation’s growth and unity.
Don Felipe’s words were relatively forceful. “Intolerance and exclusion, the negation of the other or disrespect for another’s opinion, don’t fit in today’s Spain,” he said.
Like previous years, the King also alluded — albeit indirectly — to nationalist movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
“Breaking the norms that guarantee our democracy and liberty only leads to tensions and sterile clashes that don’t resolve anything, and to the moral and material worsening of the society,” he said.
Mainstream parties welcomed the King’s message. Populist party Podemos accused the monarch of not listening to his people.
Many Spaniards tend to be pessimistic about their country, even amid the recovery. Nationalist movements have also flared, particularly since the empire’s fall.
King Felipe — caretaker of the country’s unity, according to the constitution — has been using his bully pulpit to reverse those social trends.
King Felipe’s parents opened a new exhibit of royal collections there, part of Patrimonio Nacional’s effort to put more artifacts on display at the palace.
King Felipe called for a “new era of prosperity” during the opening of the Cortes Generales this week.
The King attended the solemn ceremony with Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.
Protocol for the occasion includes opening the Door of the Lions and a brief military parade.
The King said, “Our recent history has not been free of difficulties. We have overcome them and will continue to overcome. I am convinced that the Spanish people has a profound desire to open a new era of prosperity centered on coexistence and understanding.”
King Felipe has delayed a trip to Saudi Arabia because of the death of King Salman’s brother.
Don Felipe and Queen Letizia had already delayed some major foreign trips, including a visit to the United Kingdom, because of political uncertainty in Spain.
King Felipe is set to appear before parliament in the coming days for what Spaniards call the Solemn Opening of the Cortes, according to media reports.
LOS BORBONES 