Felipe VI changes La Zarzuela for the first time for the Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace in his Christmas Eve message

The traditional Christmas Eve date with the message from the king It has taken on a special meaning this year. In 2024, Felipe VI celebrates ten years of reign, and this milestone has imbued his Christmas speech with a solemn tone and a clear purpose to connect with citizens in a year marked by tragedy and political polarization.

For the first time since 2015, the monarch has changed the usual setting of La Zarzuela to record his speech from the majestic Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace, a place steeped in history and institutional relevance. This gesture is not coincidental: the Hall of Columns has witnessed emblematic moments of his reign, such as the awarding of the Medals of Civil Merit last June, on the anniversary of his proclamation, and seeks to underline the continuity and stability of the institution. that represents.

The choice of the Hall of Columns not only reinforces the meaning of this anniversary, but also gives a solemn character to the message. In a year marked by the devastating DANA that hit Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha, Felipe VI wanted to remember the victims and highlight the collective effort to overcome the tragedy.

The carefully designed set includes a framed photograph of the relief work after the floods. In it you can see members of the Armed Forces and citizens collaborating to clean the mud left by the floods, an image that symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the Spanish people in the most difficult times.

Furthermore, next to the photograph, there is a facsimile edition of the Spanish Constitution, a reminder of the pact of coexistence that inspires the King’s words. The scene is completed with a nativity scene of the Baby Jesus, from the National Heritage collection, a Christmas tree and the flags of Spain and the European Union, elements that convey a message of hope, unity and belonging to a broader community.

The King’s message: serenity and consensus

The speech, which with the hymns lasts just over fifteen minutes, is a call to reflection and collective responsibility. In a serene but firm tone, Felipe VI has insisted on the need to “rebuild consensus around what is essential” and to listen to the “authentic pulse of the citizens” in the face of the “constant background noise” of political discord. With 1,806 carefully selected words, the monarch recalled that Spanish democracy is based on the 1978 Constitution, whose letter and spirit must continue to guide the course of the country. “The concord of which it was the fruit continues to be our great foundation,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of cultivating consensus to strengthen institutions and maintain society’s trust in them.

In a year in which political tensions have reached an unprecedented level, Felipe VI has appealed to dialogue “with height and generosity” and has urged political forces to recover serenity in the public sphere. “It is necessary that the political conflict, legitimate but sometimes thunderous, does not prevent us from hearing an even more clamorous demand: a demand for serenity,” he stated.

The speech was above all marked by the monarch’s empathy towards those who have suffered the most this year. When remembering DANA, Felipe VI not only highlighted the devastating impact of the meteorological phenomenon, but also the supportive response of citizens and institutions. The photograph next to him, which shows soldiers and civilians collaborating side by side, encapsulates that spirit of unity that the King wanted to praise. Felipe VI, dressed in a navy blue suit and a blue tie, has carefully chosen his clothing to convey a message of stability and communication. Blue, the color associated with the House of Bourbon, also symbolizes calm, peace and trust, values ​​that have underpinned its message. The speech began and ended with the national anthem, reinforcing the institutional nature of the message. At the end, the image chosen was a family photograph of Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, taken in Campo del Moro on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Kings’ wedding. This warm and close detail connects the monarch with the citizens, remembering that the royal family also celebrates and shares Christmas traditions.

A balance of a decade at the service of Spain

On this tenth anniversary of his reign, Felipe VI has taken the opportunity to take stock of his decade at the head of the Crown. Since his proclamation in 2014, the monarch has worked to modernize the institution and bring it closer to citizens, an effort that has been especially visible in recent years, marked by the pandemic, the economic crisis and climate challenges.

The 2024 message is not only a reminder of the values ​​that should guide Spain in the future, but also a reaffirmation of the King’s commitment to the defense of democracy, human rights and the well-being of all citizens. In a context of growing polarization, Felipe VI has once again positioned himself as a symbol of unity and continuity, offering a message of hope and serenity for the coming year.

Felipe VI’s Christmas Eve speech in 2024 will be marked as a milestone in his reign. With his choice of scenario, his defense of concord and his call for consensus, the monarch wanted to offer a moral compass in times of uncertainty. Its message, loaded with symbolism and reflection, seeks to build bridges between institutions and society, remembering that unity and dialogue are essential to face the challenges of the present and build a better future for all Spaniards.