A crowd in Ceuta applauded Felipe VI and Letizia before turning its whistles on territorial policy minister Ángel Víctor Torres, who joined them on the city hall balcony. The official programme was set to begin at 12:30 at Ceuta’s Municipal Assembly, where the Kings were due to receive the city’s gold basic and meet members of the governing council. At 18:00, they are due at an interfaith memorial in Sidi Embarek cemetery for migrants who died at sea while trying to reach Spain from Morocco on 30 and 31 July.
Earlier, the municipal corporation welcomed the royal couple at city hall. They appeared on the balcony with Ceuta president Juan Jesús Vivas. When Torres stepped out alongside them, the crowd whistled. The Kings ended their greeting and went back inside.
Thousands had gathered in Plaza de África and nearby streets, waving Spanish flags and chanting in support of Ceuta’s place in Spain. Church bells rang as the royal couple arrived. Almost 200 media outlets accredited journalists to cover the visit.
Associated Press described the trip as a show of solidarity with Ceuta’s residents amid a prolonged migration crisis and strained relations with Morocco. This is Felipe VI and Letizia’s first visit to Ceuta as monarchs, and their first trip to the city since he acceded to the throne in 2014. The two-day itinerary, agreed by the Royal Household and the Spanish government, includes an overnight stay.
The memorial is part of the official programme following the mass arrival of migrants on 30 July, nearly two and a half months earlier. Representatives of Ceuta’s four faiths are expected at the cemetery.
The afternoon schedule also includes Vicente Alexandre public infant and primary school in the Manzanera neighbourhood. The school focuses on individualised education and serves a multicultural community. Felipe VI and Letizia are due to speak with teachers and families of pupils with special needs, then meet members of Ceuta’s civil society.
RTVE reported that this is the third royal visit to Ceuta in modern history. Juan Carlos I and Sofía visited in November 2007; Morocco recalled its ambassador to Spain after that trip. Local newspaper El Pueblo de Ceuta described the current overnight stay as the first time monarchs have spent a night in the city during Spain’s democratic period. Journalist Ignacio Cembrero said on Más de uno that Morocco must respond to the visit.
The royal appearance follows the 12 October ceremony in Madrid, where Sofía’s red suit drew attention alongside Princess Leonor’s Army uniform. On 14 October, the Kings are scheduled to visit Melilla, Spain’s other enclave in North Africa. They are due to visit its Assembly and Eduardo Morillas school before meeting representatives of Melilla’s society. It will be the first royal visit to both Ceuta and Melilla since Felipe VI became king.
