Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are set to visit Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14. This trip marks the first time the Spanish royal couple has visited the two cities since 2007. The last visit was made by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía on November 6 and 7, 2007, which prompted a strong reaction from Rabat, including the recall of Morocco's ambassador to Madrid for consultations.
The visit comes less than three months after a major migration crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants attempted to enter the city from Morocco in late July. King Felipe VI described the events as an "unacceptable" violation of a Spanish and European border during a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid. He called for greater European cooperation, stating that countries on the EU's external borders could not carry the responsibility alone.
The mass crossings became a major political issue in Spain, with the far-right Vox party using the episode to intensify its criticism of Morocco and the Spanish government. The party portrayed the arrivals as part of a broader challenge to Spain's territorial integrity and called for tougher measures at the borders with Morocco. Moroccan authorities, however, rejected accusations that Rabat had deliberately facilitated the crossings.
The episode added to longstanding political tensions surrounding Ceuta and Melilla. The issue has periodically resurfaced in bilateral relations, particularly during periods of diplomatic tension between Rabat and Madrid. In August, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi described the two cities as part of Morocco's historical and geographical rights and called for dialogue with Spain over their future.
However, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita later told his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares that recent statements by Moroccan ministers on the issue were made in an electoral context and did not represent the official position of the Moroccan government. Albares said the remarks were unacceptable and warned that Moroccan claims over Ceuta and Melilla "degrade" bilateral relations.
The royal visit was announced after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in August that Felipe VI would travel to Ceuta when the conditions were right. Albares later stated that "the king did not need authorization" from Morocco to visit any Spanish city, while noting that Madrid could share information with Rabat as a matter of diplomatic courtesy.
The visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Ceuta and Melilla is expected to take place on October 13 and 14, amid ongoing tensions between Spain and Morocco over the status of the two cities. The trip is seen as an opportunity for the Spanish royal couple to engage with the local population and address the complex issues surrounding the cities' sovereignty.
Key points
- The visit marks the first royal visit to Ceuta and Melilla since 2007.
- The trip comes amid ongoing tensions between Spain and Morocco over the status of the two cities.
- King Felipe VI described the mass crossings in July as an "unacceptable" violation of a Spanish and European border.
