Francisco Guarido, mayor of Zamora and the only IU city leader in Spain, received an invitation from the Casa Real to the National Day reception at the Royal Palace. He used it to criticize rules in the royal invitation that he considers old-fashioned and exclusionary.
Guarido objected to the phrase inviting public officials “and their lady,” saying it ignores the reality of different relationships and personal lives. “It would be just as valid to say ‘and their gentleman,’” he said. “But really, spouses are unnecessary in this kind of invitation.” He said the language is outdated and fails to reflect the society Spain has become.
Several Spanish media outlets reported that the invitation also included the name of Guarido’s companion. One report noted a possible error in his wife’s surname, which drew attention in the local press.
He also criticized the dress code, which tells “gentlemen” to wear a dark suit and “ladies” to wear a short dress. Guarido called it “completely outdated” and said such strict gender rules belong in the past. He put it bluntly: “I am a republican and will not lift a finger to improve the image of the Monarchy.”
Guarido has spoken out on this before. Ten years ago, he made the same points to the Casa Real, calling the event’s protocol “discriminatory” because of its gendered dress code and exclusionary language. Little has changed in the latest invitation.
His public criticism comes as Spain debates inclusion and representation in public life. Royal events still use etiquette from the 1800s, at odds with the country’s changing social norms. As earlier reporting showed, even the monarchy’s public appearances can spark debate about tradition and identity.
La Opinión de Zamora and other Spanish outlets report that Guarido is the only Izquierda Unida mayor currently governing in Spain, giving his criticism of royal protocol a distinct political dimension. His challenge also raises questions about the symbols and rituals of power. When official language falls behind real life, the gap is obvious. The lack of change to Casa Real invitations may seem small, but these details matter in Spain, where public institutions face constant scrutiny. Guarido’s move shows how small gestures can expose the distance between tradition and the people it claims to represent.
