While many Spaniards take advantage of Easter to go on a trip or simply disconnect at home, King Felipe and Queen Letizia do the same, but without telling.
Their official agenda comes to a complete halt these days, and although there are no public announcements, everything indicates that this year they have decided to stay in Madrid. At least, that is what has happened in previous years.
The Spanish Royal Family’s Easter Traditions
What is certain is that they will not all be together. Princess Leonor is far from home, sailing aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, in the port of Callao, Peru.
The Infanta Sofia, on the other hand, has been in Spain since April 11, so she could accompany her parents these days.
Over the years, the royal family has managed to avoid the spotlight during these dates. With few exceptions, their Easter vacations usually go completely under the radar.
That doesn’t mean they haven’t made interesting plans. In 2010, for example, they were caught on camera skiing in the Swiss Alps with their young daughters and Paloma Rocasolano, the Queen’s mother.
In those images published by ¡Hola! magazine, a five-year-old Leonor could be seen taking her first steps in the snow, while Sofia stayed on the sidelines, playing with her grandmother.
A few years later, in 2013, the then Prince and Princess of Asturias made an exception: they appeared in Almagro, Ciudad Real. They strolled through the Plaza Mayor, visited the theater and were seen with their daughters. Afterwards, they disappeared again until Easter Sunday in Palma.
The mountains have been one of their favorite destinations. In 2014 they were in Courchevel, France, staying in a luxury hotel. Skating rinks, Michelin-starred restaurants, and every possible amenity.
But in 2015 they decided to change their environment: they went to the Algarve, in Portugal, staying at a friend’s house. Felipe, in fact, has said on several occasions that in Portugal they feel “at home”.
Sometimes, not even the press has managed to keep track of them. Between 2016 and 2018, absolutely nothing was heard of their escapades. It was in 2019 when some passengers on a flight revealed that Letizia and her daughters had spent Easter in Rome, although the King was not with them.
Everything changed with the pandemic. In 2020, like so many others, they stayed home. Since then, their plans have been quieter.
In 2022 they visited a center for Ukrainian refugees in Pozuelo de Alarcón and last year they attended a procession in Alcalá Street, in Madrid, which ended up being cancelled due to rain.
Also in 2023 they were in Chinchón to witness the living representation of the Passion of Christ.
The Easter Mass in Palma de Mallorca, once a family tradition with the Bourbons, ceased to be a constant after the pandemic. Today, only Queen Emeritus Sofia still attends this liturgy.
As of today, nobody knows exactly what the King and Queen will do during this Holy Week. What does seem clear is that they maintain the custom of enjoying these dates with their families, as long as the calendar allows it.