Spain’s King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, are set to mark the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s ascension to the throne with a series of grand events at the Royal Palace.
These celebrations will include the awarding of honors to 19 ordinary citizens recognized as exemplary figures in society, a formal lunch with state officials, and a concert.
Felipe VI’s 10th Anniversary as King
The festivities will begin next Wednesday with a parade on Calle Mayor in Madrid, featuring units from all three branches of the military and the Civil Guard. They will ceremonially relieve the Royal Guard stationed in the Palace’s Armory Patio.
This will be observed by the royal family from a balcony overlooking the Armory, a scene never before witnessed by the public, according to sources from the Spanish royal household.
Following the parade, in the Hall of Columns, the king will bestow the Order of Civil Merit upon individuals from various backgrounds and professions, representing the diverse fabric of contemporary Spain.
The event will be attended by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, top representatives of Spain’s state powers, and leaders of constitutional bodies since 2014, as per the same sources.
After the ceremony, these dignitaries will join the honored citizens for a formal luncheon in the palace’s grand dining hall.
The seating arrangement will symbolize the significant contributions of these ordinary citizens to civil society by intermingling them with state authorities.
Notably, emeritus King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, Felipe VI’s parents, will not participate in these events. The royal household decided that the focus should remain on the current king as he celebrates his first decade on the throne.
Felipe VI was proclaimed king by the Spanish Parliament on June 19, 2014, following his father’s abdication.
In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for “a renewed monarchy for a new time.” He underscored the importance of the monarchy’s connection with the people, saying, “The Crown must seek closeness with the citizens, continually earning their appreciation, respect, and trust. To achieve this, it must uphold the dignity of the institution, maintain its prestige, and demonstrate integrity, honesty, and transparency.”
Later that same Wednesday, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía will tour the Royal Collections Gallery, adjacent to the Royal Palace, accompanied by a group of 40 young people aged 17 to 20.
In the evening, the Royal Guard’s band will perform a concert in Plaza de Oriente, open to the public.
The concert will feature a special performance by violinist Ara Malikian from one of the palace balconies.
The celebrations will continue on Thursday with the inauguration of a large-scale photo exhibition titled ‘Felipe VI 2014-2024: A Decade of History of the Spanish Crown’ at the palace.