Princess Leonor Debuts at Armed Forces Day as Flag Mishap and Weather Disrupt Vigo Parade
Princess Leonor joined King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia for the first time at Spain's Armed Forces Day parade in Vigo, a milestone overshadowed by a flag-raising failure and weather cancellations.
A historic debut for the heir
Princess Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, made her inaugural appearance at the annual Armed Forces Day (DIFAS) parade in Vigo on Saturday. The heir to the Spanish throne accompanied her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, in the royal tribune for the first time, marking a significant step in her institutional and military preparation. The event, held along Samil beach, drew hundreds of citizens who began arriving before 9:00 a.m. to secure a spot.
The presence of the Heir represents a new step in her institutional and military preparation.
Uniforms and symbolism
For the occasion, Princess Leonor wore the gala uniform of the Air and Space Force, the branch where she is currently completing the final phase of her military training. Her attire featured the distinctive 'Rokiski' paratrooper badge, designed by Polish aviator Wladyslaw Rokicki, which certifies her completion of a parachuting course. King Felipe VI presided in the gala uniform of the Army, while Queen Letizia opted for a flowing midi dress in blue tones.
The Rokiski is the emblem received by military personnel who pass the basic parachuting course.
Parade scale and attendance
The parade involved 3,746 military personnel—3,402 men and 344 women—marching a 1,165-metre route along Avenida de Samil. Over 70 aircraft and more than 100 vehicles were originally planned to participate. The royal family was received by Defence Minister Margarita Robles, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, Galician President Alfonso Rueda, and Vigo Mayor Abel Caballero.
Weather forces cancellations
Low cloud cover forced the cancellation of the aerial display and the parachute jump by the Air and Space Force Acrobatic Patrol. The flyover of six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from the 'Mirlo' formation was grounded, and a planned jump by Sub-lieutenant Alberto Vidal and Sergeant First Class Pablo García Matanza was also called off for safety reasons.
The low cloud ceiling prevented the flight of the six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft.
Flag incident stuns crowd
During the solemn flag-raising ceremony, the Spanish flag detached from the cable and fell to the ground in full view of the royal tribune. RTVE cameras captured King Felipe VI's immediate reaction as he followed the flag's descent. The incident was caused by a screw that secured the pulley coming loose. The flag was quickly retrieved to minimise contact with the ground, and the parade proceeded with the Royal Guard's banner presiding.
They quickly picked it up so that the national ensign touched the ground as little as possible.
Post-parade honours
Following the parade, the King and Princess Leonor paid tribute to the fallen by laying a laurel wreath. The royal family then proceeded to Vigo City Hall to sign the Book of Honour, concluding the day's official engagements.
- Citizens begin arriving at Avenida de Samil hours before the parade.
- King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Princess Leonor arrive at the royal tribune.
- National anthem plays and a 21-gun salute is fired.
- Spanish flag falls during hoisting due to a loose pulley screw.
- King and Princess Leonor lay a laurel wreath in tribute to the fallen.
- Royal family proceeds to Vigo City Hall to sign the Book of Honour.
