While the United Kingdom was celebrating the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank, over in Spain, the royals were taking part in National Day celebrations which are held each year on 12 October.
As in previous years, King Felipe and Queen Letizia brought along their two daughters, 12-year-old Princess Leonor and 11-year-old Infanta Sofía. They presided over the solemn act of homage to the Spanish flag and watched the military parade in the Plaza de Lima.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
This year the Honors Group of the Royal Guard was in charge of the honouring of the Spanish flag, and the King reviewed the troops before the family was greeted by various people from the government, military, and leaders of autonomous communities.
After the raising of the flag, His Majesty laid a wreath at the foot of the flagpole for those who have given their lives for Spain.
Although the military parade took place, one group was missing. With inclement weather, the participation of the air parade is suspended, and thus, only ground troops took part this year. Over 4000 people took part from the State Security Forces and Corps. The parade also had 114 vehicles, 52 motorcycles and 127 horses participating.
Later, at the Royal Palace of Madrid, Their Majesties hosted the traditional memorial reception for various members of Spanish society. In the Throne Room, they greeted multiple members of the government, foreign dignitaries, presidents of autonomous regions, and people from all aspects of Spanish social life in the throne room before the reception officially began in the Gala Dining Room and the Salons of Gasparini and Carlos III.
A royal decree first established the holiday as Día de la Hispanidad on 27 November 1981, but the name was changed on 7 October 1987 to Fiesta Nacional to be held annually on the 12 of October.
