Watch Princess Leonor Speak Catalan

Members of the Spanish Royal Family were in Barcelona earlier this month to hand out the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards to leaders in different fields, like science and business.

The heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, is not only princess of Asturias but also of Girona. The Principality of Asturias historically belong to the heir to the Castilian throne while the Principality of Girona belonged to the heir of the Aragonese throne. Modern Spain includes both kingdoms.

The princess, who is 15 and still preparing for official duties, delivered remarks in Catalan because of her presence in the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. Girona is also an important Catalan city.

Catalan nationalist leaders have avoided members of the Royal Family since forming a coalition government earlier this year. They also skipped King Felipe’s visit for the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including a lunch at Albéniz Palace.

Also in recent days, King Felipe and Queen Letizia held a ceremony at the Madrid Royal Palace for United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. His Majesty offered some words in Portuguese.

Royals Welcome Korean Leader

King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook for a state visit last week.

The agenda included a meeting a the Royal Palace in Madrid, but the gathering was limited in size because of ongoing pandemic concerns.

King Felipe and Moon also attended the opening of a meeting of business leaders in Barcelona, which was focused on post-pandemic recovery.

Leaders of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, still run by nationalist parties, did not attend a dinner with His Majesty.

King To Visit Barcelona After Government Blockade

King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit Barcelona together in the coming days, just weeks after the premier blocked His Majesty from visiting the city.

The government’s decision to prevent the King from visiting Barcelona recently set of a firestorm. Monarchists accused the government of giving in to Catalan nationalists and left-wing radicals.

Those left-wingers, in turn, accused the King of using his voice to lobby against Spain’s elected government. That’s because Don Felipe had expressed his desire to visit Barcelona for a juidicial promotions ceremony.

_{King Felipe accepting credentials from new ambassadors at the Royal Palace in Madrid. Spanish Royal Household}

The government said it didn’t want King Felipe’s presence to coincide with a ruling against former Catalan President Quim Torra. Such a ruling did happen and a government spokeswoman — following days of back and forth — said the King respects Constitutional norms.

Some news outlets are describing the coming visit as an about face or course correction from the government.

Government Blocks King From Barcelona Trip

The Spanish government — currently led by a left-wing coalition — blocked King Felipe from attending an official event in Barelona this week to promote new judges.

Royalist politicians and leaders of Spain’s judicial branch expressed dismay with the decision, but top judges were unable to agree on a joint statement against it.

The government defended the move but did not provide a clear explanation, according to several media outlets.

_{King Felpe at the Palace of Justice in Madrid earlier this month. Spanish Royal Household}

Speculation centers around security concerns, delicate budget negotiations and efforts to not anger Catalan nationalists.

King Participates In Anti-Terrorism Protest

King Felipe participated this weekend in a mass demonstration in Barcelona against terrorism.

The event, also attended by national and regional leaders, follows an attack in that city earlier this month.

rey_manifestacion_antiterrorista_20170826_11 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Rescue workers and officials welcomed the King. Some anti-monarchy activists and pacifists, upset about Spain’s export of military weapons, protested his arrival.

rey_manifestacion_antiterrorista_20170826_02 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The King has made it a point to visit Barcelona several times since the attack. His presence as a symbol of unity is particularly important amid pro-independence rumblings in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

King, Queen Visit Barcelona Terror Injured

King Felipe and Queen Letizia were back in Barcelona today in response to this week’s terror attacks.

reyes_visita_hospitales_atentados_barcelona_20170819_02 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The King and Queen visited the injured in at least two Barcelona area hospitals.

reyes_visita_hospitales_atentados_barcelona_20170819_17 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

They also signed a condolence book at Barcelona City Hall and left flowers at the scene of the incident.

reyes_libro_condolencias_barcelona_20170819_61 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

reyes_ramblas_barcelona_20170819_45 — @ Casa de S.M. el Rey

Soon after the incident, the Royal Household sent out a tweet calling the attackers murderers and saying all of Spain was with Barcelona.

King Mourns Terror Victims

King Felipe traveled to Barcelona today to participate in a moment of silence for the victims of terrorism in Spain this week.

rey_minuto_silencio_barcelona_20170818_11 — The King walks with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. © Presidencia del Gobierno

The King and other Spanish and Catalan dignitaries left their summer vacations to attend to the crisis.

rey_minuto_silencio_barcelona_20170818_01 — The King with other Catalan and Spanish leaders. © Agencia EFE

Terrorism is nothing new in Spain and members of the Royal Family. The country has dealt with Basque separatists in the past and the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

King Stresses Unity In Catalonia Trip

King Felipe today sought to revive the spirit of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a way to combat political instability in Catalonia.

His Majesty participated in ceremonies in the Catalan capital to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic games.

There he met with Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who is calling for a referendum on independence from Spain.

rey_alto_rendimiento_20170725_04 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Don Felipe, who carried the Spanish flag during the opening ceremonies in 1992, said participants “represented all we are and all that we can achieve together.”

The King also met with Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, known for her left leaning views but also her discomfort with independence.

rey_conmemoracion_25_aniversario_jjooyparalimpicos_20170725_04 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Some of the events were at Albéniz Palace, the King’s residence in Barcelona, which is mostly used for ceremonial purposes.

Applause And Boos For Prince, Princess In Barcelona

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were at the opera at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, where republican sentiment can often run deep.

Newspaper El Mundo posted a video, which shows how strong people can feel for an against the Spanish Royal Family.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

People shouldn’t be surprised, however. During the transition to Democracy, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were often greeted with jeers and screams, especially in places like Catalonia and the Basque Country.

In recent days King Juan Carlos has met with Austrian Chancellor Werner Feymann and Guatemalan President José Mujica.

A small meal for President Mujica at Zarzuela Palace.

Prince Celebrates Spain

Prince Felipe celebrated Spain’s win this weekend at the Men’s World Handball Championship, where the team took on Denmark at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi.

Danish Princess Mary Donaldson joined the Prince during the game.

The Danish Royal Family has ties to the Spanish Royal Family, particularly through Queen Sofia, officially Queen Sofia of Greece and Denmark.