The Spanish Royal Family and the October Flooding in Spain

[Royalist.in.NC]

We all feel very sorry for you, but since this is a royal forum, could you please provide a detailed explanation to us from outside of Spain as to why is all this Felipe and Letizia's fault? From your response, I would conclude that both of them are also elected members of the Government? What is their official power when it comes to sirens, SMS messages, doctors, nurses, firefighters, etc.?

Thank you, I would appreciate that too. I am in western NC in the US where we are recovering from devastating loss of life and property - entire towns are washed away from Hurricane Helene. We were warned but it turned out to be an “1000 year flood” which no one could have predicted nor imagined how truly horrific it would be. Our government agencies (FEMA) were on the ground ready to respond but were hampered by interstates that literally fell off the mountain and were swept away. I heard helicopters for weeks; ATV’s are still reaching people.
Our politicians showed up to offer support and our former president running for office again came and told lie after lie about the “lack of” response which interfered with the very real response which was happening. Far right groups showed up and tried to take over some devastated towns. It is despicable and disgusting how some used lies to spread more lies.
I am so deeply sorry about the flooding in Spain. It is terrifying, and I pray that survivors will be found and that all the resources you need are now there in place.

 

[Marengo]

I've been following the unfolding situation on X all through the day.

In my opinion it's quite clear that the Prime Minister choose to bring the King and Queen with him in the hope that this would defuse the situation a little. As we now know it didn't work and the King remaining steadfast in the middle of the ensuing mayhem while the Prime Minister fled is an image that will most likely prove disastrous for the latter's public image.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853060847481860575

A video shows how the Queen started crying when a member of the public told her that what was happening wasn't directed at her - "My Queen, this is not for you". You can see her mask crack and soon others come up to shake her hand and hug her. In the back the bleeding face of one in her bodyguard is visible. It seems that while one part of the crowd was very violent another part was, although just as angry, more peaceful and just wanted to voice their concerns and rightful frustration.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853109427856978255

People on X report that the Queen was heard saying about the reaction of the crowd that "How could they not feel this way? How could they not be angry."

People are also commenting on the clean shoes of government ministers juxtaposed to the muddy shoes of the King and Queen during a briefing later in the day.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853115215853887850

In my opinion both the King and Queen carried themselves extremely well during an explosive and impossible situation and I could imagine that once the dust settles it will be reflect positively on them.
That said I don't think that this is a day that Felipe and Letizia will ever forget.

I had the same impression today on twitter, and you have worded it much better than I could. The image of the Prime Minister fleeing while the King and Queen stayed, heads upright, refusing umbrellas and talking to people who are desperate is very strong and I think that will be remembered when tempers calm down.

People were throwing mud but in the end they were hugging them and the monarchs were consoling them in their worries. The King and Queen have impressed me very much today, and I am sure many others will feel the same.

I imagine the joint visit might have been a wish of the PMs office and not necessarily of the palace.

 

[Hallo girl]

The scale of the damage is overwhelming. Where do you start?
It is hard to imagine.

 

[Blog Real]

I had the same impression today on twitter. The image of the Prime Minister fleeing while the King and Queen stayed is very strong and I think that will be remembered when tempers calm down. The King and Queen have impressed me today, and I am sure many others will feel the same.

I imagine the joint visit was probably a wish of the PMs office and not necessarily of the palace.

I think the Prime Minister was aware that the population's emotions could be heated and thought that with the presence of the King and Queen they could calm down.

The scale of the damage is overwhelming. Where do you start?
It is hard to imagine.

The population is receiving a lot of help, and after what happened today the Prime Minister has already announced that more help will come. With time everything will return to normal, even if it seems impossible now.
And I believe the Royal Household will also do what they can to help and the King and Queen will later visit the area.

Other video:

 

[Healthy Sceptic]

The floods happened over five days ago. I've read the Spanish government is only now getting military into the area to help with rescue efforts; the people have been doing it all themselves. Also, there haven't been any relief supplies put into the area by the government yet because of "paperwork" that needs to be done. So basically no help from the government at all for almost a week. Local rescuers and volunteers are doing everything from retrieving bodies to donating and distributing food and water. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I understand the people's frustration and anger. Resources were pulled away from rescue efforts for the royals and PM to make a public appearance, PR for them but gaining local efforts nothing when they are already angry about not getting what they desperately need.

IMO the king and queen should have gone alone and only to visit the organizers on the periphery of the rescue efforts, well out of the thick of it. Being in the streets with the PM, who ultimately is responsible for the lack of response, was a formula for disaster. I feel it could have gone much worse than it did.

 

[Princess B]

We all feel very sorry for you, but since this is a royal forum, could you please provide a detailed explanation to us from outside of Spain as to why is all this Felipe and Letizia's fault? From your response, I would conclude that both of them are also elected members of the Government? What is their official power when it comes to sirens, SMS messages, doctors, nurses, firefighters, etc.?

No, it’s not the King or Queens fault but the governments fault.
But when you are a victim, you want to vent out to someone in a position of power. Since the President of the country and the autonomous community fled, the King and Queen were the only people they could take their frustration out on.
Also, the king (even if nominally) is head of the nation, people expect him (whether right or wrong) to have ‘helped’ the people. It may have been anger directed at the wrong people, but when you’re in the midst of such tragedy, I don’t think anyone would blame them.

Personally, I am very proud of the King and Queen today. They didn’t flee but stood with their people, and most Valencians feel that way.

 

[DukeOfWashington]

I have to wonder what the conversation was like with the Prime Minister and the King after that event. Or before regarding how the government handled the flooding.

You have to imagine this is exactly the moment a king can step in and speak up to the government of the day for his people and country. Reminds me of the fog episode of The Crown.

FWIW I think this will be seen as an incredibly great moment for the monarchy.

People apologizing to Queen Letizia, saying they thought they were the PM.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853181924694441985

 

[Erin9]

I had the same impression today on twitter, and you have worded it much better than I could. The image of the Prime Minister fleeing while the King and Queen stayed, heads upright, refusing umbrellas and talking to people who are desperate is very strong and I think that will be remembered when tempers calm down.

People were throwing mud but in the end they were hugging them and the monarchs were consoling them in their worries. The King and Queen have impressed me very much today, and I am sure many others will feel the same.

I imagine the joint visit might have been a wish of the PMs office and not necessarily of the palace.

Agreed. I’m very impressed by The King and Queen.

And I’m glad some people apologized. I understand people are angry and devastated, but they had nothing to do with any of the decision making. This had to be a rather scary situation to be in.

 

[Alisa]

The timing of when to visit after a natural disaster is always tricky.
I absolutely agree though that PM and the royal couple should not have visited together as the majority of the anger and blame was towards the PM and not Felipe and Letizia. I'm not sure whose idea it was to have them visit together but if was a BAD idea.

Kudos to the couple for staying as long as they did. It is not easy consoling people whilst also being pelted and when the Queen started crying..my heart went out to her.

I also feel bad for the Prime Minister. He now has the image of deserter and running away "to keep his shoes clean" when in reality he was literally running away to literally save his life. The way they stormed his motorcade and the angry words and violence was not a safe environment for him to be in.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Appalling scenes yesterday in Spain ,the king and queen were used as scapegoats by cowardly politicians.
To throw mud and stones at the head of State and his consort was a step too far,I was disgusted by the scenes.

I get that there's anger and rightly so but it should be directed at the Regional Government or the Prime Minister ,they acted disgracefully and too so long to take action.

 

[ricarda]

@An Ard Ri
The King is the head of state and he chose to visit this area together with the prime minister, apparently totally unaware of the situation and people's feelings.
People were right to direct their anger at him as well as the prime minister. And hopefully this was a wake up-call.
But in the end the royal's reaction and the fact that they "suffered" through it gave them better PR than a normal visit - and PR was the reason why they went there at all.

 

[An Ard Ri]

It must have been a terrifying ordeal for Letizia .
I'm all for peaceful protests but throwing mud and rocks when there's a woman present was appalling behaviour.

 

[lula]

The King is the head of state and he chose to visit this area together with the prime minister, apparently totally unaware of the situation and people's feelings.

Spain is a Parliamentary Monarchy, which means that the final decision is made by the government, not the King. The government could have sent a minister, as happens in most of the King's events; the ministers of the Interior or Defence who participate in the deployment would have been more appropriate.

For example, when the Royal Family visited Madrid hospitals after 11M, they did so with the Minister of Health.

The problem is that neither the President of the Government nor the President of Valencia had approached the citizens in 5 days, and they did not have the courage to do so alone before the King. Knowing Pedro Sánchez's usual attitude, he did not want to look bad by not going and for the King to overtake him, and that is why he went. Even now his government is cowardly and attacks the Royal House for the decision, when the final decision by law is always the government's.

 

[sm1939]

The queen and King handled themselves with great dignity. I feel so sorry for the people of Valencia.
who have suffered so much.

 

[Princess_Eleanor]

@An Ard Ri
The King is the head of state and he chose to visit this area together with the prime minister, apparently totally unaware of the situation and people's feelings.
People were right to direct their anger at him as well as the prime minister. And hopefully this was a wake up-call.
But in the end the royal's reaction and the fact that they "suffered" through it gave them better PR than a normal visit - and PR was the reason why they went there at all.

People are free to express their anger with words, but I still don't see an excuse for this extreme violence. By throwing rocks and other objects, they could have literally killed the King or Queen!! There is no excuse for that.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The queen and King handled themselves with great dignity. I feel so sorry for the people of Valencia.
who have suffered so much.

The situation is utterly heartbreaking for the people of Valencia
The King and Queen were there to show their support and solidarity.

 

[Blog Real]

King Felipe VI presides over the meeting of the crisis committee to monitor the effects of the DANA on the Mediterranean coast and Albacete at the Headquarters of the Military Emergency Unit of the Torrejón Air Base, today.

HomeActividades y Agenda - Reunión del comité de crisis de seguimiento de los efectos de la DANA en el litoral Mediterráneo y Albacete

Detalle Actividad - Reunión del comité de crisis de seguimiento de los efectos de la DANA en el litoral Mediterráneo y Albacete

casareal.es

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853388753160622236

 

[An Ard Ri]

Queen Letizia with mud on her face and visibly upset meeting people yesterday
Queen Letizia in tears on visit to flood-hit Valencia

All too often these protests are hijacked by a more sinister element who resort to violence!

 

[royaljul73]

Shocking scenes indeed! My heart goes out to the victims of that horrible disaster who are very understandibly in shock, anger and grief - but violence is no solution and does not help any of the affected. Cudos to the King and Queen that they stayed to endure, it must have been quite challenging emotionally.
And I think it will have a lasting impact that the PM chose to leave ...

 

[Chimene]

People who have lost everything and suffered from the inaction of their representatives were angry. There is no logic in that state of mind. I’m glad nothing tragic happened to anyone.

The King and Queen staying was a simple but powerful act of solidarity to remind the people they are not standing alone. We are here with you, we hear you, we see you, and we feel your pain.

If this was PR, they stayed at a risk to their own safety and that was a true test of their character and commitment to their people. Much respect to them!

 

[Mirabel]

The situation is utterly heartbreaking for the people of Valencia
The King and Queen were there to show their support and solidarity.

I think people will remember that later. when tempers cool.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I think people will remember that later. when tempers cool.

Yes I hope so as the events of yesterday were shocking to watch as they unfolded.

 

[Alisa]

Alicante- a popular city 2hrs South of Valencia are also not experiencing flash flooding. Let's hope city officials get ahead of that situation and learned from the mistakes in Valencia.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Rescue Teams and divers have concentrated their search for missing bodies in garages and a multi-storey car park in the town of Aldaia
The death toll is now at 217.
Valencia floods: Spanish rescuers search underground car parks

 

[Alison H]

And now a red alert's been issued for parts of Catalunya. This is just awful.

 

[taogg]

If I were a victim of this flooding—having lost my home and possibly my family—I might feel compelled to throw stones and mud at the government authorities. The king and queen just happened to be scapegoats in this situation.

My first sympathy is always for the victims of this flooding. While I don’t condone violence, it’s difficult to judge their actions given the circumstances.

I also commend the bravery of the king and queen in facing this situation

 

[An Ard Ri]

Pope Francis yesterday prayed for the flood victims in Spain during his Weekly Sunday Angelus
VIDEO: Pope Francis prays for Spain's flood victims and calls for support | Daily Mail Online

 

[llj]

I am so impressed by the King and Queen's courage and leadership in such a scary situation. I don't know that I could have done the same in their (muddy) shoes. They are a credit to Spain.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I am so impressed by the King and Queen's courage and leadership in such a scary situation. I don't know that I could have done the same in their (muddy) shoes. They are a credit to Spain.

They've shown more leadership compared to the current Spanish Prime Minister!
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a change of government in Spain as the current one leaves a lot to desire!

 

[princess gertrude]

So sad and frightening. I can understand the locals' frustration. We have seen as much here in the US with the hurricanes hitting the mountains of North Carolina and the devastation that it caused. I hope that the King and Queen are okay. Much respect for them staying even after such an experience. I don't think this was a publicity stunt on their part at all. I think the PM needed some "backup" on his trip.