Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14. For the Spanish king, this marks his first trip to the two autonomous cities since his accession to the throne in 2014. The visit takes place just about two and a half months after the severe migration crisis in Ceuta.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will travel to Ceuta and Melilla in mid-October. As the Royal Household and the Spanish government confirmed on Thursday, the visit is scheduled for October 13 and 14. The trip was coordinated between the government and the Royal Household. The detailed itinerary is expected to be released in the coming days.
The trip is of particular significance for Felipe VI: since ascending the throne in June 2014, he has not made an official visit to either Ceuta or Melilla. Queen Letizia, too, has not accompanied him to the two autonomous cities during her time in the role. The last visit by a Spanish royal couple took place nearly 20 years ago; Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía visited the cities in November 2007.
Visit following severe migration crisis
The trip takes place against the backdrop of the serious events in Ceuta in late July. On July 30 and 31, there was a mass attempt to cross the border from Morocco into Ceuta. According to Spanish sources, more than 80,000 people reached the Spanish city or attempted to cross the border.
Felipe VI. had been closely monitoring the situation since the start of the crisis and was in contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, among others.
In late September, the King once again commented on the events. At a state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron, he described the mass border crossing as “unacceptable” and pointed out that the Ceuta border is not only a Spanish border but also an external border of the European Union. At the same time, he advocated for closer cooperation among EU states.
Felipe VI. had already announced the visit
The fact that the King would visit Ceuta had already been announced at the end of August. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated at the time that there were sufficient grounds for a visit by the monarch and that it would take place as soon as the appropriate conditions were met.
The timing subsequently became the subject of political debate. Parts of the opposition accused the government of delaying or preventing a visit by the King. The government rejected these allegations, dismissing them as false. Now, the date has been officially confirmed.
Felipe VI. himself was asked about the upcoming trip upon his arrival at the Spanish parliament on Thursday. When asked whether he was looking forward to the visit, the King simply replied: “Como siempre” – “As always.”
Melilla is also on the agenda
The visit is not limited to Ceuta. On the second day, the royal couple is scheduled to travel on to Melilla. This marks the first time both autonomous cities are being visited during the reign of Felipe VI.
Due to their location on the North African coast, Ceuta and Melilla hold special strategic importance for Spain. At the same time, the two cities are a sensitive issue in relations with Morocco, which does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.
The last visit by Juan Carlos I and Sofía in 2007 had led to significant tensions with Rabat at the time. Consequently, the current visit is taking place against a backdrop that is sensitive in terms of foreign policy.
Detailed program yet to be finalized
The specific locations Felipe VI and Letizia will visit in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the scheduled meetings, are not yet known. The itinerary agreed upon by the government and the Royal Household is expected to be released in the coming days.
It is already certain that the King will first attend the official celebrations in Madrid on October 12, Spain’s National Day. Afterward, the royal couple will travel to North Africa.
This marks the first official visit by the Spanish royal family to both cities in nearly two decades – and, at the same time, Felipe VI’s first trip to Ceuta and Melilla during his reign to date.
