The visit of the royal family to the Exemplary Village of Sotres this year was marked by the excitement and pride of the inhabitants.
Despite a slight delay that caused the royal retinue to arrive later than planned, the wait did not dampen the enthusiasm of the neighbors, who received the King and Queen and their daughters with great warmth.
Although King Felipe VI carried the baton, symbol of his authority, it was Princess Leonor who stood out as the central figure of the event, leading the entourage with ease and closeness.
Princess Leonor leads historic visit to Sotres
The heiress not only greeted everyone with a smile, but was also especially attentive to the youngest members of the village, to whom she dedicated a few minutes to chat, breaking the protocol with a spontaneity that made her even closer to the attendees.
At her side, the Infanta Sofia accompanied her every step of the way, staying close to her sister at all times.
In one of the most symbolic moments of the visit, Leonor signed autographs for those who asked for them and posed for the cameras at the viewpoint of Sotres, from where the spectacular scenery of the Picos de Europa can be appreciated.
There, the sisters starred in another of the highlights of the day, posing together in a gesture of complicity that reflects the union between them.
During the tour, the King and Queen and their daughters visited the old schools of the village, where stories of the mining life of the town awaited them, and the church of San Pedro, where they talked with the elders of the place.
At this last stop, the Princess and the Infanta also showed interest in the hurdy-gurdy, a traditional instrument that aroused their curiosity and gave them a moment of connection with their Asturian roots.
At the time of the speeches, King Felipe surprised the audience by announcing that, starting this year, Leonor will be the one to highlight the merits of the exemplary people of Asturias.
Leonor, visibly happy, expressed how much she enjoys discovering Asturian traditions and living with the people of the region, who receive her every year with affection.
To close the visit, the royal family went to a Cabrales cheese maturing cave, where they had the opportunity to learn about the process of making this emblematic product in a private experience that undoubtedly added a special touch to a day full of meaning for the Princess of Asturias and her family.