King Felipe VI of Spain traveled to Zaragoza over the weekend for a long-awaited reunion with his daughter Princess Leonor.
Before seeing Leonor at her military academy, the monarch enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant run by an award-winning Spanish chef.
King Felipe visits Princess Leonor at the Military Academy
On Saturday, King Felipe made the trip to visit Princess Leonor, who began her training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza in August.
Although Felipe met his daughter later in the day, he first stopped for lunch at the restaurant called Tajo Bajo.
The King dined at the famous restaurant in Plaza del Pilar with a group of about 30 companions, including friends and members of the Armed Forces.
The chef and owner of Tajo Bajo, Rubén Martín, explained to the local media that Felipe’s team made a reservation, but did not reveal that the monarch was going to attend.
According to Martín, King Felipe himself communicated that he was in town to see Leonor at the military academy.
The chef said that royal security inspected the restaurant beforehand, but no changes to the experience were requested.
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What did King Felipe eat?
Felipe and his companions sampled several typical Lower Tagus dishes, including croquettes, gyoza, beef tataki, creamy rice, and torrija for dessert.
The lunch menu included high-quality local ingredients, such as Grau’s sausage and Aragon lamb.
On social media, Martín expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude for the royal visit and posted a photo of a plate personally signed by the King as a souvenir.
The weekend trip came shortly after the Casa Real confirmed that Princess Leonor will swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution on her 18th birthday on October 31.
Felipe took the same solemn oath before Parliament at the age of 18.
Following the ceremony at the Cortes Generales, Leonor will receive the Order of the Collar of Charles III from her father at the Royal Palace.
These milestones mean that the Princess assumes more public duties befitting an heir to the throne.
King Philip’s solo visit to Leonor highlights the close bond between him and his daughter, who began her military training far from home.
After this surprise visit, Leonor will return for her official swearing-in as a new adult member of the royal family.