Politics · Spain · 1 hr ago
Spain’s king and queen to visit Ceuta and Melilla amid migrant crisis
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are due to visit the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, on Spain’s North African coast.
The visit comes 19 years after the previous visit by Spain’s monarchs.
Ceuta has been dealing with disruption since July 30, when tens of thousands of people crossed its border illegally, most of them from Morocco.
Many migrants have since returned, but thousands remain, and some are staying in places outside the city centre.
The royal visit is intended to show support for Ceuta’s residents and affirm Spain’s presence in the cities, which Morocco claims.
The king and queen are scheduled to meet local officials and community representatives, visit a school and attend a memorial at a Muslim cemetery for migrants who died at sea in July.
They are also due to stay overnight in Ceuta, something that has not happened since the reign of Alfonso XIII.
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are due to visit Ceuta and Melilla amid the continuing effects of a large migrant influx.
The visit comes 19 years after the previous visit by Spain’s monarchs to the two autonomous cities.
They are expected to meet local institutions and civil society in Ceuta, visit a school and attend a memorial at a Muslim cemetery.
The article says thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta after tens of thousands crossed the border, mostly from Morocco.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has criticised statements from Spanish political and media sectors and warned against pressure or threats.
- Who
- Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
- What
- They are due to visit Ceuta and Melilla and meet institutions and civil society. Their programme in Ceuta includes a school visit and a memorial for migrants who died at sea.
- When
- The day after the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish autonomous cities in North Africa.
- Why
- The visit is described as a show of support for Ceuta’s residents and an affirmation of Spain’s claim to the cities.
Morocco
Spain
Sovereignty
Morocco
Morocco has claims to Ceuta and Melilla.
Spain
Spain’s royal visit is described as reaffirming the cities’ Spanish status.
Reaction to the visit
Morocco
Mohammed VI criticised statements by Spanish political and media sectors and warned against pressure, threats or blackmail.
Spain
The article says the visit is not pressure, a threat or blackmail, but support for Ceuta’s residents.
irresponsible statements by political and media sectors in Spain
pressure, threat or blackmail
Ceuta’s normal life had not returned since this date, according to the article.
The article says Ceuta residents were invited to a reception at the Royal Palace for Spain’s national day.
Felipe VI and Letizia are due to visit Ceuta and Melilla, 19 years after the previous visit by Spain’s monarchs.
- Previous royal visit
- 19 years earlier
- Migrant influx
- Tens of thousands crossed the border illegally, mostly from Morocco
- Migrants remaining in Ceuta
- Thousands
- Ceuta visit programme
- Meetings with institutions and civil society, a school visit and a memorial at Sidi Embarek Muslim cemetery
- Royal overnight stay
- Ceuta
Sources
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