King Felipe Presides Over First Pascua Militar

The King of Spain presided over his first Pascua Militar as Spain’s head of state yesterday at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Stepping out into the Plaza de la Armería for a military review, King Felipe VI was accompanied by his wife, Queen Letizia. Also in attendance was Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The national anthem of Spain, La Marcha Real, was played and a 21-canon salute took place as per tradition.

Later on, in the Throne Room of the Palace, some 200 guests from the Armed Forces, the Civil Guard, and for the first time, the Reserves, were greeted by the King and Queen for a reception, during which the King delivered a speech in honour of the day.

Speaking of the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the King stated,  “Their sacrifice, and that of those who were injured in the line of duty, must endure in our memories as an example of devotion and self-sacrifice.”

King Felipe also paid tribute to his father, former King Juan Carlos, speaking of his role as Supreme Commander and how the armed forces had undergone an “extraordinary transformation.”

Pascua Militar dates back to 1782, when King Carlos III held the ceremony to congratulate the Spanish Armed Forces for reconquering the Balearic Island of Minorca. It has since become a tradition for the Spanish Monarch of the day to greet the Armed Forces on January 6 to thank them for their contributions.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Felipe VI of Spain, Military, Prime Minister Rajoy of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain.

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