from Letizia to Máxima of Holland or Mary of Denmark

The weight of History feels different when it is carried by those who are called to embody its memory. In the frozen January of Poland, under a sky that, like every year, seems to drag the shadows of the trains that never reached their destination, the collective memory of Europe meets (historically) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz -Birkenau. Here there is no room for galas or glittering crowns; The royals, with their unmistakable image, merge with the heads of state and prime ministers to remember, with pain and solemnity, the greatest horror of humanity in the 20th century.

Kings Felipe and Letizia represent Spain on this historic occasion, one of those where politics, symbol and emotion converge in the same scene. King Charles III of the United Kingdom, Queen Matilda of Belgium, Máxima of the Netherlands and Mary of Denmark are just some of the figures who have also confirmed their attendance. However, not all crowned heads will be present. The absence of certain queens consorts and key figures also draws a map of the physical and emotional wear and tear that European monarchies are accumulating, as age and circumstances force them to pass on their symbolic burden to younger generations.

The Auschwitz tent: a space of memory and unity

The epicenter of the event is located in a tent set up in front of the main entrance to the Auschwitz-Birkenau II camp, right in the place where the train tracks still converge in an echo of cold, rusty steel. There, next to one of the original wagons that transported thousands of victims to their final destination, the words will be few but the emotions will be infinite. Survivors of the Holocaust will give their testimony, like a lamp that refuses to go out, and the Royals and leaders, attentive and contained, will make the silence their own, as witnesses and bearers of a common heritage that crosses borders.

Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive in Poland with a double burden. On the one hand, the institutional responsibility of representing Spain in one of the most significant international forums of the year, the first photo of a united Europe in the face of Trump’s shouting. On the other hand, the emotional weight that the queen has shown to assume with sobriety in similar events, such as on the 75th anniversary of the liberation, where she highlighted her ability to connect with the survivors without the solemnity extinguishing her natural empathy.

The geopolitical context also gives this quote an urgent nuance. The war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the recent return of Donald Trump to the White House as president of the United States reconfigure global alliances and tensions. Auschwitz, more than a space of memory, becomes a setting where Europe seeks to reaffirm its unity in the face of a world where democratic values ​​seem, once again, vulnerable.

Charles III: the shadow of the last stage

Charles III will be the first British king to set foot in Auschwitz. His presence, although notable, comes wrapped in a fragility that is inevitable to ignore. The monarch, still undergoing treatment, has demonstrated an unwavering ability to fulfill his commitments, although his health and age force him to limit his efforts. Camilla, for her part, does not accompany him. The British queen consort, at 77 years old, has chosen to reduce her international agenda to a minimum, in what many describe as a hidden retirement. Its absence, however, does not diminish the solemnity of the event.

Instead, the image of Carlos alone, in a place so full of history and symbolism, highlights the mission he assumes at this stage of his life: to be the face of a monarchy that, despite the scandals and changes of era, , continues to be a benchmark of stability.

Notable absences and generational changes

Not all thrones will be represented by their holders. In Sweden, King Gustav and Queen Silvia, both 77 years old, once again give the spotlight to their daughter, Crown Princess Victoria. The Swedish monarch, who underwent open heart surgery in 2023, and his consort, known for her discretion, have limited their international travel. In her place, Victoria emerges as a solid figure, capable of assuming the reins of representation with the same solvency expected of a sovereign.

In Norway, the situation is similar. Harald and Sonia, both in fragile health, have left the task of representation in the hands of Crown Prince Haakon. However, his wife, Princess Mette-Marit, will also be absent, citing health problems that, together with recent family controversies, keep her away from the public spotlight.

On the other hand, Luxembourg is represented by Grand Duke Henri, who attends alone. María Teresa, his consort, has not confirmed the reasons for his absence, but his limited presence at recent events suggests that he also prefers to focus on more selective commitments.

Máxima, Mary and Letizia: the essential ones

There are queen consorts whose magnetism and sense of duty make them essential. Máxima from Holland, Mary from Denmark and Letizia from Spain are the great female figures in Auschwitz. Respect is imposed and mourning is the main thing. Great displays of fashion or dazzling jewelry are not expected, but each one of them knows how to interpret sobriety without losing an iota of elegance.

Máxima, known for her charisma and closeness, brings a warmth that balances the solemnity of the event. Always impeccable, Mary represents the stability and commitment of the Danish monarchy. And Letizia, with her characteristic balance between closeness and firmness, once again positions herself as one of the most relevant figures on the European royal scene.

Each of them understands that in an act like this, protocol is not measured only in gestures, but also in the ability to transmit empathy and respect to those who carry the weight of memory.

Netanyahu and shadow politics

While the focus is on the Royals, the possible attendance of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, introduces an element of political tension. An international arrest warrant is pending against him, but the Polish government has already announced that it will not execute it, citing “extraordinary circumstances.” Its presence, if confirmed, would be a reminder of how politics and historical memory are intertwined in a complex game of balance.

The event will not last more than 90 minutes, but the emotional impact will last long beyond the ceremony. Through a streaming provided by Polish public television, millions of people are witnesses of this historic moment. However, what really transcends is not the act itself, but what it represents: the ability to remember, to learn from the past and to build a more just and humane future.

In Auschwitz, under a gray sky and among the echoes of a tragedy that must never be repeated, kings and queens gather this Monday in January to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in one of the darkest chapters of our history. And in that act of shared memory, all of humanity is reflected, remembering that greatness is not in titles, but in the ability to honor the past and learn from it.