The Diplomat
Their Majesties the King and Queen yesterday hosted a reception at the Royal Palace on the occasion of the National Day, attended by some 2,500 guests, including members of the Government and high institutions, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain.
After a restricted celebration in 2021, due to the pandemic, which had already forced the suspension of the events in 2020, this year normality was restored.
The day opened, as is traditional, with a military parade in which more than 4,000 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 84 aircraft took part. Among members of the Diplomatic Corps, The Diplomat was told, it was strange that ambassadors were not invited to watch the parade, as they were before the pandemic.
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, tried to make his arrival at the Plaza de Lima coincide with that of the King and Queen of Spain and thus avoid the whistles of those gathered, as he did last year. However, the King and Queen’s car arrived before him at the Plaza de Lima and the monarchs had to delay their departure for a few seconds until Sánchez joined the reception procession, reports Europa Press.
Even so, the head of the Executive could not avoid the whistles of discontent from part of the public, who chanted loud cries against him and called for his resignation both at the beginning of the acts and once they were over. Later, in a huddle with journalists at the Royal Palace, Sánchez assured that he arrived when he was told to do so.
After the arrival of the King and Queen, who were received with military honours, Felipe VI reviewed the troops and saluted the authorities attending the parade. They then witnessed the traditional parachute jump with the Spanish flag, followed by the raising of the flag and the act of homage to those who have fallen for Spain.
This was followed by the air and land parades of units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Guard, Military Emergency Unit, Royal Guard, State Security Forces and Corps and various Security, Civil Protection and Emergency organisations.
Despite the war situation in Ukraine, there was no special gesture during the military parade towards this country attacked by Russia.
Afterwards, the King and Queen moved to the Royal Palace to give the traditional reception, which last year had been limited to around 200 people and without a glass of wine being offered. This year, it was a return to normality and to the classic small talk around the president and the members of his government, in which the situation of the judiciary was one of the most talked-about topics.
The reception was attended by most of the ambassadors accredited in Spain, who expressed their congratulations to the King and Queen for the 12 October holiday. Russia’s ambassador, Yuri Korchagin, did not attend, although he was invited, as were the other members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Blinken’s congratulations
For his part, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, issued a statement in which he congratulated Spain on the occasion of the National Day and stressed: “Our countries’ joint response to Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine highlights our close cooperation to defend democracy and the rules-based international order”.
For Blinken, Spain “is an indispensable ally and close friend of the United States”. “The strong alliance between our two countries is reflected in the growing economic, cultural and educational exchanges between our citizens,” he said.
In this context, he recalls that he travelled to Spain in June 2022 to attend the NATO Summit to further their “strong partnership to promote international peace, defend transatlantic security, uphold human rights and enhance economic prosperity”.
“On this special occasion, we look forward to deepening our friendship, strengthening our historical and cultural ties, and expanding cooperation based on our common values. Happy Spanish National Day to all our Spanish friends,” he concludes.
