Spanish Royal Family on Armed Forces Day

The Princess of Asturias joined King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain for a Parade to mark Armed Forces Day (DIFAS) in Vigo in Pontevedra on May 30th.

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King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Princess of Asturias, attended the Armed Forces Day (DIFAS) Parade held on Samil Avenue, in Vigo (Pontevedra).

Upon their arrival at the avenue, and after being escorted by the Royal Escort Squadron of the Royal Guard, they were greeted by the President of the Xunta of Galicia, Alfonso Rueda Valenzuela, and the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles. They were then greeted by the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, and the Chief of the Defense Staff, Teodoro Esteban López Calderón.

After receiving military honors from a battalion of the Royal Guard, King Felipe inspected the troops, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Teodoro Esteban López Calderón; the Head of the Military Household, Eduardo Diz Monje; and the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Royal Guard’s honor guard, Rubén García Díez. Before proceeding to the Royal Tribune, Their Majesties and His Royal Highness were greeted by the principal civil and military authorities.

Before the parade began, which took place before the flag of the Royal Guard—the oldest of those participating in this central event—a tribute was paid to those who gave their lives for Spain. Following this, His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness laid a laurel wreath. After a rifle salute by the “Plus Ultra” squadron of the Royal Guard, they both returned to the Royal Tribune.

Once the guidons and the crown bearers had been removed, as well as the battalion that rendered honors, the land parade began (—129 vehicles from the Royal Guard, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the UME and the Civil Guard—). After the parade ended, His Majesty the King received updates from the Chief of the Defence Staff on the conclusion of the commemorative events.