Madrid hosted the annual reception in honor of the national holiday, an event that traditionally brings together the country’s political and social elite. However, this year the attention of guests and the press was drawn not only to the format of the event, but also to the absence of the prime minister from the main part of the gathering.
Pedro Sánchez appeared in the halls of the Royal Palace to greet King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters—Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía. After a brief greeting, the head of government left the palace without staying for informal talks with journalists, which is usually considered an essential part of the protocol.
The reason for his hasty departure became clear a little later: Sánchez was due to travel to Egypt, where the next day a ceremony was planned for signing a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. This document was to be the outcome of complex negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and was to provide for the release of hostages and the withdrawal of military units from the region.
In the absence of the Prime Minister, almost all ministers remained in the palace halls, except for five, among whom were representatives of the Sumar bloc and the heads of several key departments. Some were on official trips abroad, while others were unable to attend for personal reasons. The leaders of several autonomous communities, including Valencia, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands, also did not attend, citing the aftermath of heavy rains and damage in their regions.
Among the notable absentees was the leader of the Vox party, who publicly explained his refusal to participate by stating he did not wish to support the current government. This time, he said he did not consider his decision disrespectful to the monarch.
The country’s attorney general was also not among those invited; he is soon to face trial on charges of disclosing official information. In recent days, the media have been actively discussing the details of this case, as well as statements made by high-ranking officials involved in the investigation.
The reception itself was held in a ceremonial atmosphere: for the first time, both daughters of the royal couple took part in the official portion of the event. For Infanta Sofia, this was her debut after coming of age. Guests noted that the handshake ceremony lasted about an hour and was accompanied by short breaks.
