On 12 October, Spain celebrated its National Day.
Tradition mandates a military parade in the city centre of the capital Madrid, an event that normally catches the public’s attention for the tribute to the fallen or the smiles provoked by the regiments’ mascots.
But on this day, the parade was tainted by a protocol mishap and a public voicing their dissent towards the government with colourful language and loud voices.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was supposed to arrive at Plaza de Lima five minutes before the royals, as protocol dictates that the head of state is the last to arrive and the first to leave.
But he was three minutes late, which forced King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofía to remain in their vehicles for more than a minute while the Prime Minister made his way to the reception spot.
Once outside the vehicle, Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness greeted authorities before the public temporarily quieted down for the national anthem. But it wasn’t long before they started voicing their displeasure with the government again, and the King reviewed troops with that more unpleasant background noise.
The military parade went off without a hitch and the paratroopers carrying the flag managed to both stick a perfect landing in the middle of the street and with the flag fully unfolded.
His Majesty was also seen singing the traditional hymn “La muerte no es el final” (Death is not the end), with which the military pays their respects to the fallen. Because it is a tradition of the military, neither Queen Letizia nor Infanta Sofía sang along.
It was then time for the actual military parade, which, after two years of being carried out in a reduced format, returned to its full splendour, comprising more than 4000 members of the armed forces, 84 aircraft vehicles, more than 150 motor vehicles and almost 200 horses.
Once the parade ended, the royals returned to the cars; Infanta Sofía went back home, while King Felipe and Queen Letizia headed to the Royal Palace, where they hosted the traditional reception for eminent members of society.
Among the most recognisable names were the Duke of Alba and his wife, Sofía Palazuelo, who are expecting their second daughter at the end of this year.
The most significant absence was once again Princess Leonor. Like last year, the heir to the throne is currently in Wales, about to finish her first half term of the year at the United World College of the Atlantic. It is expected that she will be back in Spain for her break, which will allow her to preside over the Princess of Asturias Award ceremony on 28 October in Oviedo.
