Spain is once again in the shadow of tragedy: a railway disaster in Adamuz has shaken the country to its core. On January 18, an accident here claimed the lives of at least 41 people. In these days, the whole nation is closely following not only the rescue operations, but also the response of the countryβs top officials. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, despite personal circumstances, made the decision to visit the scene of the tragedy in person to support both the victims and those working to overcome the aftermath.
The events of recent days have been a true test for the monarchy. The accident coincided with the funeral of Irene de Grecia, the Kingβs aunt, forcing the visit to Adamuz to be postponed. However, as soon as their family obligations were fulfilled, Felipe and Letizia traveled to CΓ³rdoba to stand with those who endured the harrowing minutes on the railway.
A day of mourning
On January 20, the royal couple arrived in Adamuz. Their route was carefully planned: first, they visited the emergency operations center, where they were briefed on the progress of rescue work and coordination among services. Amid the tense atmosphere, the monarchs did not hide their emotionsβthe tragedy left no one indifferent.
Next, Felipe VI and Letizia visited the Citizen Support Center in CΓ³rdoba, where relatives of the deceased and injured had gathered. The hall was filled with silence, broken only by restrained tears and quiet conversations. The king and queen listened to the stories of people who had lost loved ones overnight or found themselves on the verge of despair. In that moment, official titles and protocols faded into the background, giving way to genuine human support.
Meeting the heroes
The visit concluded at Hospital Universitario Reina SofΓa, where the monarchs spoke with the wounded and the medical staff. Doctors and nurses, who had not left the victims’ sides for a moment, shared memories of the first hours after the accident and how they fought for every life. Felipe and Letizia thanked them for their dedication and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
On this day, the royal couple made no loud statements. Their presence was a sign that the country does not abandon its citizens in times of trouble. Spaniards watching the visit on television noted that the monarchs do not hide behind palace walls but go where there is pain and fear.
A monarchy without distance
Such actions by Felipe VI and Letizia are nothing new. Over recent years, they have repeatedly altered personal and even international plans to support citizens in difficult times. Last summer, the king interrupted his holiday and urgently returned to Spain from Greece when the country was hit by devastating wildfires. He personally met with the military emergency services and firefighters who were battling the flames around the clock.
In autumn 2024, the monarchs visited regions of the Comunitat Valenciana affected by destructive floods. In 2021, they traveled to La Palma after the volcanic eruption, and earlier to Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and Lorca, where people faced the aftermath of natural disasters and earthquakes.
The Spanish Way of Solidarity
Every time the country faces hardship, the royal family shows that standing with the people is not just a phrase. Protocols and official ceremonies give way to genuine involvement, empathy, and support. Spaniards value this openness because, in moments of tragedy, what matters most is genuine concern and the willingness to share in the pain.
Felipe VI and Letiziaβs visit to Adamuz was another clear message: the monarchy in Spain is not only a symbol, but real support in the countryβs most difficult days. And it seems this is exactly what millions now expect from their leaders.
