Felipe VI and Letizia to sleep in Ceuta on 13 October, a first for a Spanish head of state
The king and queen are due in Ceuta on Tuesday 13 October for a full day of official events, then travel to Melilla on 14 October. The stay is the first of its kind for a Spanish head of state, according to several outlets.
Schedule in Ceuta
Felipe VI and Letizia are due in Ceuta on Tuesday 13 October, starting at 12:30 with a visit to the Palacio de la Asamblea, the town hall, where they will receive the keys to the city and meet members of the Consejo de Gobierno led by president Juan Jesús Vivas. At 16:45 they are scheduled to visit the Vicente Aleixandre school, which ABC says is known locally for arts-based inclusion projects. At 18:00 they are to take part in an ecumenical tribute to people who died at sea on 30 and 31 July, at the Sidi Embarek cemetery. The day closes at the Parador de Ceuta, where from 19:00 they will meet representatives of civil society, and Felipe VI is expected to speak at around 19:30.
- Arrival at the Ceuta town hall, keys to the city and meeting with the Consejo de Gobierno
- Educational and social visit to the Vicente Aleixandre school
- Ecumenical tribute at the Sidi Embarek cemetery for people who died at sea on 30 and 31 July
- Meeting with civil society representatives at the Parador de Ceuta
- Felipe VI expected to speak at the Parador de Ceuta
- Travel to Melilla for institutional meetings, civil society encounters and a speech by the king
An overnight stay
The king would become the first head of state to sleep in Ceuta, according to La Vanguardia, which notes that neither Juan Carlos I nor Alfonso XIII stayed overnight on their earlier visits. La Razón recalls that Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia slept aboard the battleship Jaime I, anchored in Ceuta, during a visit on 5 October 1927. EL MUNDO reports that the decision was passed formally from the office of the head of the royal household, Camilo Villarino, to the presidency's office, headed by Diego Rubio. The paper says a long day could make a helicopter return to the peninsula difficult, and that the stay also serves to stress Ceuta's Spanish character. ABC and La Vanguardia describe the trip as agreed with the government, while EL MUNDO reports that Pedro Sánchez's team declined to accompany the king, arguing the visit is a domestic trip.
The migrant crisis behind the visit
The visit comes about two and a half months after a mass entry of migrants from Morocco into Ceuta. Europa Press puts the number at more than 80,000, while La Vanguardia cites 70,000. ABC dates the deaths at sea to 30 and 31 July. La Vanguardia says the crisis had economic, social, political and security consequences for the city. EL MUNDO reports that Felipe VI phoned both regional presidents, Juan Jesús Vivas in Ceuta and Juan José Imbroda in Melilla, in the first hours of the crossing, and that he received Vivas at the Marivent Palace on 6 August, according to Europa Press.
Morocco and the sovereignty question
EL PAÍS reports that Morocco has historically claimed sovereignty over both autonomous cities, and that several military sources warn the visit 'no va a quedar sin respuesta' from Rabat. The paper recalls that the 2007 visit by Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía caused a clear rift, with Morocco recalling its ambassador in Madrid for consultations. EL MUNDO notes that the king did not inform Mohamed VI of the trip, and that he has not called him at any point.
Melilla and the 12 October reception
On Wednesday 14 October the royals travel to Melilla, where La Vanguardia says a programme of similar character is being prepared, with institutional meetings, encounters with civil society representatives and a speech by the king. Before that, Europa Press reports that at the traditional 12 October reception at the Royal Palace, the couple could have a first direct contact with authorities and civil society representatives from both Ceuta and Melilla, who have been invited for the occasion.
