Letizia’s arrival in Barcelona
Queen Letizia has arrived in Barcelona, a city that has historically awakened feelings of displeasure in her due to past experiences. This destination has been chosen by the Royal Family for its last official event of the 2023-24 academic year. This year has been notable for Letizia, as details about a colleague of hers, Jaime del Burgo, were revealed, which has added a complicated nuance to her public appearances.
A City Council Against
In the context of official activity, Letizia faces a complex political context. In Plaça de Sant Jaume, the nerve centre of Catalan politics, the mayor’s office is dominated by the parties Junts, ERC and Comunes, who have decided not to receive her. Despite this institutional boycott, Jaume Collboni, the mayor of the city, has decided to participate, however, this has not prevented controversial decisions from being taken regarding the symbols presented for the occasion.
Symbolism and Protocol
During the signing ceremony at the Cervantes Institute headquarters, Letizia chose to implement strict protocol rules, which included the prohibition of flags other than those she herself had selected. The mayor, together with the director of the Cervantes Institute, decided that only the flags of the institute, the European Union and the Spanish national flag would be presented, while the flags of Catalonia and Barcelona were left out of sight. This gesture has generated strong controversy among analysts and citizens.
Reactions on Social Networks
There has been no shortage of reactions from public figures and analysts, such as the historian Toni Soler, who has expressed his disagreement through social networks, pointing out the absence of the Catalan flag and of Barcelona with the Cross of Sant Jordi. These types of comments reflect a growing discomfort among Catalan citizens, who feel that their cultural identity is not respected in events of such magnitude.
An Uncertain Beginning of Visit
Letizia’s official visit to Barcelona begins with an air of controversy. Beyond the political issues, there is the memory of complicated moments in her personal history with the city, which adds a layer of irony to this visit. While the Queen symbolizes the unity of Spain and the Castilian language, her absence in symbolic terms of Catalonia has sparked criticism and blamed the Royal House for fostering an atmosphere of tension rather than reconciliation.
