The royal family made a surprise visit to Catarroja, a town in the Valencia region hit by deadly floods on October 29. Residents were able to chat and take pictures, all smiles, with the royal couple and their two daughters.
The King of Spain Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their two daughters made a surprise visit this Sunday to a town in the Valencia region, hit by deadly floods on October 29, the royal household said.
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The visit of the royal family, organized two days before Christmas Eve, was organized on a “private” basis, told AFP a spokesperson for the royal house, who had not announced this trip.
Visit to one of the most bereaved communities
It took place in Catarroja, a town of 30,000 inhabitants located in the southern suburbs of the city of Valencia. This commune was one of the most bereaved by the torrential rains at the end of October, with a total of 25 deaths, according to the authorities.
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Videos posted by individuals on social networks show residents chatting and taking pictures, all smiles, with the royal couple and their two daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
An eventful first visit
The royal couple made a first visit to the Valencia region on November 3, five days after the floods, in the company of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the President of the Valencia region Carlos Mazón.
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This visit was marked by boos and mud throwing, which forced Mr. Sánchez and then Mr. Mazón to leave the area. The royal couple remained there, their clothes stained with mud, but cut their visit short.
Felipe VI and Letizia, however, returned to the region 15 days later, on November 19, without incident. On December 9, they also attended a mass in Valencia Cathedral in memory of the victims.
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First visit for the royal couple's daughters
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, for their part, had not yet visited the areas affected by bad weather, considered the biggest natural disaster in Spain since the start of the 21st century.
According to the authorities, 231 people died in these floods, including 223 in the Valencia region alone. Four people are also still missing, almost two months after the disaster.
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