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Whispers Comments to the ear. Felipe VI has served as advisor to Princess Leonor. She was the main message that I wanted to move to the Spaniards. You help to cope better with your institutional debut, temper nerves on the day of your first speech. The great network that the King threw at his daughter was to pronounce him and not her, despite being the main protagonist, the solemn speech of the Princess of Asturias Awards, the final parliament.

There was expectation, since they were his first words after the sentence of the process and the rebound of the Catalan conflict, with serious altercations in the street. But the Casa del Rey has opted to give the prominence to the princess of Asturias. Felipe VI has avoided the secessionist challenge.

His words were expected by many. First, for the situation of maximum tension in the streets of Catalonia and for the drift of Quim Torra. Second, because for many the judgment of the process could put, to some extent, on the eaves the extraordinary intervention of the Monarch on October 3, 2017.

But in Zarzuela they believe that the King is not there to respond to what is happening - "This is not the Congress, to give canutazos to value," we are in a background race not a sprint, "the sources consulted point out, but to act according to the moment, and they have considered that the moment was of Princess Leonor, that the news was her, not the territorial crisis of Spain.

"Institutional commitment you have with Spain"

The position that is maintained from Zarzuela is that the message of Felipe VI about Catalonia, his commitment to the unity of Spain, coexistence and the triumph of the rule of law, the constitutional order and Justice, are said and clear. They consider, therefore, that it is not necessary to repeat it, to explain the Catalan conflict in each intervention, however much expectation there is.

Felipe VI, who has confessed excited about the presence, for the first time, of his daughters at the Princess of Asturias Awards, has focused his message on Leonor and the future. Recipes to weave the sketch of his future reign, since for the first time, at the age of 13, he held the honorary presidency of the Foundation.

"Your presidency corresponds to the personal and institutional commitment you have with Spain as heir to the Crown. And this solemn celebration is a sign of that commitment to the Spaniards, which you must renew permanently with dedication, spirit of service, loyalty and responsibility; always with humility, and aware of your institutional position. "

The King also starred in his first speech in Oviedo , at the Campoamor Theater, at age 13. He was reflected in his daughter. But unlike that October 3, 1981, in her debut the heiress neither opened nor closed the act, nor delivered the solemn speech. The Monarch, who sought to relieve pressure on Leonor, has staged a kind of dialogue with his daughter.

"38 years ago and on a day like today, I was in the same place where you are now. That is why I know very well what you feel at this moment, because I am sure it is the same as I felt : responsibility, emotion and also nerves, many nerves. But, above all, much, very much illusion. Your mother and I are very proud of you and happy to accompany you and be witnesses of this day, so special and unique, "was the emotional family message that the King wanted to send publicly to his daughter.

A non-casual speech

The absence of references to Catalonia is not accidental. It is something measured, premeditated in the King's House. The speech that the monarch gives at the Princess of Asturias Awards is the most personal, along with Christmas Eve, of how many he gives a year. Of his handwriting, where he has traditionally exposed his vision or analysis of the situation in Spain and has referred to transcendental issues of today.

He did so in 2017, days after the illegal referendum in Catalonia and the ephemeral unilateral declaration of independence, when he settled that "Catalonia is and will be an essential part of Spain" and that "Spain has to face an unacceptable attempt at secession" , which "will resolve it through its legitimate democratic institutions, while respecting our Constitution."

In 2018, the year of the 40th anniversary of the Constitution, and in full escalation of tension and animosity against his figure by secessionism, Felipe VI responded to that harassment towards the Crown by appealing to the "diversity of origins and territories" of the Constitution

.

On this occasion, and although it was expected by the vast majority, any explicit or veiled reference to Catalonia has been avoided. The King bets not to mention the elephant present in the room. Their efforts have been aimed at exposing to society the training and learning work they are putting in place with Princess Leonor.

"Your obligation to serve Spain, the greatest pride"

"The obligation to serve Spain and the Spaniards must be the greatest pride and the highest honor you can achieve. Your duty will always be to act with hopeful courage, courage and courage; growing in responsibility, in kindness, and in exemplaryness" , the King has told him.

Before his daughters, Felipe VI is committed to looking to the future. He is aware that Catalonia is an issue that will mark his reign, but he hopes that Princess Leonor will face other more pleasant challenges. His message to her and her generation is of "trust."

"I would like to convey to you, your sister and all your generation, a message of trust. That trust so necessary, that every year we feel reborn in this theater thanks to our winners, their great example and their extraordinary work, their delivery to the noblest causes, to his love for solidarity and for freedom. "

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • Spain
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  • Princess Leonor
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