The solemn flag raising in the Jardines del Descubrimiento in Plaza Colon in Madrid today kicked off the celebrations to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of King Felipe VI, with a ceremony presided over by the highest judicial offices of the State, who reviewed units of the three armies of land, air and sea and of the civil guard.
After the solemn change of the Royal Guard, the monarchs Felipe VI and Letizia, with their daughters, the princess of Asturias Leonor, heir to the throne, and the infanta Sofia, arrived at 11.20 am at the Royal Palace aboard two Rolls Royces , escorted by the guard of honor and welcomed by 21 salutes of honor and the Spanish national anthem. After the flag salute, in the parade ground, the monarchs appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace, adorned with the symbols of the monarchy, accompanied by chants of ‘Long live the king, long live!’.
“Service, commitment and duty”, the slogan chosen by Felipe VI for his role as head of state, during which he aimed to recover the prestige and exemplary nature of the Crown, weakened by the personal and financial scandals involving the king emeritus Juan Carlos I and members of the royal family.
The celebrations then continue inside the Royal Palace where Felipe VI and Letizia with their daughters will preside over the awarding of the medals of the Order of Civil Merit to 19 citizens, representing the 17 regions and the two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which are distinguished for community service. A speech by Felipe VI is expected in the presence of the highest authorities of the State.
‘Service, commitment and duty’
“During these years, service, commitment and duty have been the pillars of my action as king. Therefore ‘service, commitment and duty’ is the motto I have chosen for this anniversary.” King Felipe VI stated this in his speech at the Royal Palace, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his proclamation on the throne of Spain.
“Service,” the monarch then clarified, “because it is inherent and a marrow part of the purpose of the Crown.” “Commitment – he continued – understood as a duty assumed towards our Constitution, towards the values that support our democracy and the ethical and moral principles, which we consider universal”. “And duty” – he added – “because from the sense of duty emerges the will to always act in the most correct way and to fulfill duties in an integral and exemplary manner”.
The king spoke after awarding 19 citizens, representing all the regions, the medal for Civil Merit for their services to the community. In his short speech, Felipe VI insisted that ‘coherence and integrity “are the criteria on which the acts of the Crown and the functions” that the Constitution attributes to the head of State must be based.
Thanks to Queen Letizia
Particular recognition of the role played in the last decade by Queen Consort Letizia was made by King Felipe VI in his speech during the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the proclamation, today at the Royal Palace in Madrid. “All this time I have counted on the Queen’s great support,” the monarch recalled.
“With will, dedication and sensitivity, his institutional activity has contributed enormously to giving visibility and attention to
needs of the people, especially the most vulnerable”, added King Felipe. “Likewise, the Queen and I have counted on the growing support of our daughters, and we want this to be a special anniversary for them too”, he concluded, in reference to the role of the heir to the throne Eleanor and the infanta Sofia.
Leonor and Sofia’s unscheduled event
“Mom, Dad, Your Majesties, sorry if we intruded. But we too have something to say today. Thank you for accompanying us, to remember that in these ten years we have learned from our parents what the commitment that the four of us have with everyone means the Spanish”. In a short speech outside the program and protocol, addressed to the table of the authorities invited to the lunch
celebration for the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of Felipe VI, Princess Leonor, heir to the throne, and Infanta Sofia, in turn wanted to express personal thanks to the monarchs for the action carried out.
“Now we would like everyone to join us in our toast to our mother and father – said Leonor, alternating at the microphone with her sister Sofia – Our kings, because since we were born they have taught us the values of this institution, of the Crown, of its usefulness to society and its purpose to serve all”, added the heir to the throne. “Mom, dad, thank you!”, concluded the infant Sofia.
Best wishes from Prime Minister Sanchez
“Today marks ten years since the proclamation of His Majesty Felipe VI. Best wishes for this first decade in which he represented and served Spain with exemplary character, loyalty and transparency”.
With this message posted on X, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez congratulated the monarch on the tenth anniversary of his accession to the throne. The leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo also published a message on X to remember the ten years of Felipe VI’s reign.
“During these 10 years Felipe VI was the Spaniard who fulfilled his duty the most and the monarchy was the institution that most
stability it has brought to our country,” he added.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
