At a state dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, French President Emmanuel Macron toasted Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, though neither was in the room. His words put the spotlight on the young royals and the future of the Spanish monarchy.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia hosted the dinner to highlight ties between Spain and France. Macron’s words, spoken in both Spanish and French: “I raise a toast to His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and Their Royal Highnesses, the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía” stood out. The King and Queen looked proud. RTVE reported that around 100 guests attended the dinner and that renowned chef Joan Roca prepared the menu.
Neither Leonor nor Sofía attended. Their absence reflected their own commitments: Princess Leonor had just started university at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where she is focused on her studies and future role, while Infanta Sofía lives in Paris and is also studying. That gave Macron’s words extra meaning, linking the Spanish and French royal families.
Felipe VI and Letizia led the guest list, with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron at their side. Queen Letizia’s floral tiara drew some attention, but Macron’s mention of the royal daughters turned the focus to the next generation and its place in Europe. His speech, delivered in Spanish and French, went beyond routine diplomatic remarks.
For the royal family, hearing Leonor and Sofía named by a foreign leader carried significance beyond diplomatic courtesy. Sofía’s studies in Paris, the heart of the French Republic, added another symbolic dimension, linking the royal family today to its Bourbon roots.
Casa Real said this was the first state visit by a French president to Spain since 2009. The program was explicitly intended to highlight and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. By naming the absent princesses, Macron also pointed to a Spanish Crown next as royal families across Europe face growing questions. His message, as described in the speech, connected the monarchy’s future with work and education, presenting both as part of its visibility on the world stage.
