Princess Leonor participated in Vigo in her first Armed Forces Day. Despite the cancellation of the air parade and an incident during the flag-raising ceremony, she was the center of attention. Accompanied by her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the heir to the throne followed the protocol event from the presidential stand.
After the event on Samil Avenue, the celebration moved to the hall of the Vigo City Hall for the traditional private institutional reception. There, the city's mayor, Abel Caballero, acted as host to a large political, military, and social representation. The highlight of the event was the toast proposed by the monarch.
King Felipe VI dedicated special words to his daughter, who attended as a cadet ensign and paratrooper hunter, ranks she wears on her uniform as a third-year student in the Air and Space Army. The monarch highlighted the "effort and brilliance" with which the Princess has completed her training cycle in the Army, the Naval Military School, and the Juan Sebastián Elcano training ship, adding with a smile that, "as a father," he could also say it.
“"And as supreme commander, we'll see"
However, the King raised the stakes for the heir's future, ironically stating, "And as supreme commander, we'll see" regarding her performance at the head of the armies, which drew laughter from those present. Don Felipe expressed his joy that his daughter had "enjoyed" her time in the Air and Space Army.
The toast was dedicated to the "members of the Armed Forces and the Civil Guard, men and women in service to Spain," as well as their families, acknowledging their support. The King also extended the toast to the civilians present and concluded with a message of unity: "what unites us most, Spain."
The institutional event was attended by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles; the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda; and the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, along with numerous military commanders.
