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Spain

Photo gallery: King Felipe leads commemorations for Spain’s National Day

King Felipe VI of Spain

It was a muted celebration in difficult times. King Felipe VI has led Spain’s National Day celebrations but the event looked very different from the spectacle that usually takes over Madrid. The pandemic always meant that the usual military parade and reception would be scaled back but just days ago the city was placed under a State of Alarm by the government over concerns about a new wave of coronavirus. Movement in and out of Madrid is severely curtailed but authorities in the capital as well as many residents are unhappy with the restrictions. It’s against that backdrop that King Felipe, along with Queen Letizia and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, attended a scaled back parade inside the confines of the Royal Palace. Here, Royal Central looks at the best images of the day.

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Despite strict regulations, crowds gathered outside the Royal Palace with Spanish flags as the events marking the country’s National Day got under way.

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The commemorations themselves took place behind the palace walls, in the Plaza de la Armeria. King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia were greeted by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, and other dignitaries.

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The parade itself was much reduced with just over 500 participants from the military. All of them are based in Madrid with the exception of The Spanish Legion which was given special permission to take part as this year marks its centenary.

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The Spanish Royal Family oversaw the parade which also paid tribute to all those who have worked so hard in the coronavirus pandemic with the inclusion of civil organisations in the march past. Tributes were paid to all those who have given their lives for their country.

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Following the parade, there was a very brief meeting between the royals and some of the dignitaries involved. It was a National Day commemoration like no other.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.