A brief visit to Barcelona
Queen Letizia made a quick appearance in Barcelona, moving from the plane to the official vehicle without wasting time. Her first stop was the emblematic Plaza Sant Jaume, where she briefly greeted four tourists, the mayor of the city, Joan Ramón Collboni, and a local police officer. Afterwards, she went to the Salón de Cent to participate in a meeting with the senior management of the Instituto Cervantes.
Tense relationship with the city of Barcelona
The complicated relationship that Letizia has with Barcelona has been widely commented on, a city that she visits with the same caution as other members of the Borbón family, in addition to showing a somewhat provocative attitude. On her previous visits, the queen usually wore Spain red, but this July she decided to wear a dress with a floral design by Carolina Herrera, a brand that, in turn, belongs to the Catalan company Puig, which provides her with her locker room.
A bold gesture against separatism
Letizia has chosen to wear earrings from the well-known brand Tous, which could be interpreted as a subtle message to the independence groups that have tried to boycott her visit. The press that supports this position considers that the use of this accessory is in fact an allusion to the Catalan community.
A political background
Although some comment that his outfit represents a nod towards Catalonia, it is important to mention that it can actually be seen as a nod towards part of the most traditional and conservative Spain, that is, towards the Crown, the Popular Party and Vox. Tous’ earrings have an even more significant connotation, given that the brand was accused of excluding certain members of its charitable foundation solely because of their pro-independence political leanings.
Controversies at the Tous Foundation
The Rosa Oriol Foundation, linked to the Tous jewelers, made the decision to expel two women, Helena Rakòsnik, wife of Artur Mas, and the well-known journalist Pilar Rahola. This movement was interpreted as a strategy to avoid any association of the brand with the independence movement, which led the Tous family to adopt drastic measures in its organization.
Concerns about the monarchy
Ana Alós, biographer of the Tous family, revealed that Letizia contacted them to ensure that her foundation was disassociated from any pro-independence ideology. The queen expressed her concern about the growth of the independence movement and its connection with the possible establishment of a republic, which could endanger the continuity of the monarchy. Letizia is reportedly staking her position by aligning herself with these movements and using a symbol that evokes the fight against separatism, thus evidencing a clear political stance.
