Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia visit Ceuta after border crisis

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain arrived in Ceuta on Tuesday, 13 October, to speak with local leaders and residents following a summer migration crisis. DW, Euronews, and France 24 reported that the trip is the first royal visit to Ceuta since Felipe's father, King Juan Carlos I, visited in 2007. Crowds gathered to welcome the monarchs as they arrived in the North African territory. [1][2][3]

The visit follows a major incident in late July when tens of thousands of people crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta. DW reported that about 70,000 refugees rushed the border fence, resulting in more than 140 deaths. Euronews reported that more than 70,000 people crossed over 30 and 31 July, nearly matching the total population of the city of 80,000. While most returned within hours, thousands remained in emergency shelters, and Euronews noted that more than 350 police officers and soldiers cleared the final major makeshift camp on Sunday. [1][2][3]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Spanish military units from Ceuta did not participate in the National Day parade in Madrid on Monday because the Ministry of Defence kept forces deployed in the territory. Felipe VI has reigned as King of Spain since 2014, and Queen Letizia is his wife. [4][12][13][16]

France 24 reported that the royal visit has divided local residents and risks renewing diplomatic tensions with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. [3]