The political and social tension materialized in the Paseo del Prado this Thursday, specifically, three minutes before eleven in the morning. The sun already tempered the asphalt and the sides of the mythical avenue were crowded with people carrying the national flag. And three minutes before eleven, Pedro Sánchez appeared among the authorities gathered around the tribune of personalities. Then a whistle sounded, and the boos from the audience and whistles against the sitting president began. Things stopped when the Royal Family arrived. However, while the Kings and Doña Leonor greeted the authorities, several dozen people began to sing: "Let Txapote vote for you!", an uncomfortable moment that everyone faced with a face of circumstance.
Thus began the events on the occasion of the National Day, where social tension also moved to the different halls of the Royal Palace. All eyes fell on the Princess of Asturias, in gala uniform of the Army, who had an active participation in the parade with the floral offering for the fallen for Spain.
The flag was carried by First Corporal Hurtado, a member of the Air Force Paratrooper Acrobatic Patrol (PAPEA). It was the first time that the jump was done by a woman in the parade, with the added difficulty of the change of scenery. Because due to the works of a bike lane, the route of the parade was moved to an area where, in addition, the authorities were further away from the public, which still located Sánchez. But the Cape avoided all the obstacles of the Plaza de Neptuno and made a landing that the experts consulted by EL MUNDO described as "impeccable". It was just over an hour of parade in which 57 planes, 29 helicopters and 109 vehicles participated. 3,121 soldiers and 120 horses will be mobilized.
María Chivite, María Guardiola and Isabel Díaz Ayuso.JAVI MARTÍNEZ
From there, two thousand guests moved to the Royal Palace, where the Kings offered a multitudinous reception in which different social groups were present. It was also the first time that Princess Leonor participated. The members of the Government opened the kiss. Ione Belarra wore the body wrapped in a Palestinian headscarf. Precisely in the halls of the palace coincided the ambassador of Israel in Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, with her Palestinian counterpart, Husni Abdel Wahed. Also invited were Isaav Benzaquen, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain with Mustafa Hagmed Abdesalam, president of the Islamic commission in Spain.
Among the Spanish mayors, the Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida took his girlfriend, Teresa Urquijo y Moreno, who was the first guest who dedicated an exquisite bow to the Kings and Princess Leonor. Ana del Palacio and Esperanza Aguirre also dedicated this gesture of respect.
There was an endearing moment when Miguel Herrero de Miñón entered, one of the two living fathers of the Constitution who, at 83 years old, walked slowly in the kissing of a cane. Don Felipe approached him to accompany him in the last stretch of corridor. Then Princess Leonor approached. His father explained to him who Herrero de Miñón was, in a spontaneous gesture but with great symbolism for the future, because the Magna Carta is going through a delicate moment.
Casa Real also invited a wide representation of citizens who have coincided with the Kings in some acts throughout the year. Many of them were happy for the unique opportunity to be in a palace that, since Felipe VI arrived, tries to get as close as possible to the citizens. Luz Casal was one of the most popular faces, invited for having won an Art Medal. And the Princess of Asturias felt a little more accompanied by the presence of seven fellow cadets from the General Military Academy, friends of studies with whom she shares the day to day in Zaragoza. To lighten the hand-kissing, four batches were made. And to avoid crowds, the guests were distributed in several rooms from which they enjoyed a cocktail that ended with fruit skewers and truffles.
- Articles Marina Pina