In a 2024 marked by personal and institutional milestones, such as their 20 years of marriage and a decade on the throne, the kings Felipe VI and Letizia They close the year with a gesture full of symbolism: a video broadcast by the Casa del Rey that remembers the victims and those affected by the devastating DANA that devastated the Valencian Community last October. This New Year’s Eve message, beyond being a show of solidarity, underlines the commitment of the monarchs to those who suffered one of the worst natural disasters in the recent history of Spain.
On the last day of the year, we especially remember the victims and those affected by DANA.
And we appreciate, again, the work and solidarity of volunteers, neighbors, civil protection, firefighters, FCSE, NGOs, companies… to help the victims.
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— House of HM the King (@CasaReal) December 31, 2024
On October 29, 2024, a cold drop of exceptional proportions left a trail of destruction in several Valencian towns. The images of torrents of water destroying streets, homes and lives shocked the country. With a final balance of 222 fatalities and hundreds of victims, the event shook both citizens and institutions, forcing them to redirect agendas and efforts.
From the first moment, Felipe VI and Letizia expressed their regret for the tragedy. Through an initial statement, the King expressed his “deep pain” for the lives lost and expressed his “solidarity and support” to the affected families. But words gave way to action a few days later, when on November 3, The Kings moved to Paiporta, one of the areas hardest hit by the catastrophe.
In Paiporta, Felipe and Letizia faced a panorama of physical and emotional devastation. Among the mud and rubble, the desperation of the neighbors translated into cries of indignation and gestures of rejection. Despite the tension – at one point, some protesters threw mud and objects at the authorities present – the Kings maintained the calm and conciliatory attitude that has characterized their reign.
Felipe VI, with his hands still stained with dirt after shaking those of his neighbors, patiently listened to the complaints and demands of those affected. Letizia, for her part, addressed those who had lost everything with words of consolation. That image of both of them, immersed in the mud of tragedy, became a symbol of empathy that counteracted the initial criticism for the delay in their visit.
The involvement of the Kings was not limited to Paiporta. In subsequent weeks, both Felipe and Letizia continued to show their support for those affected by the tragedy. They went to hospitals where the injured were recovering, met with local organizations and attended the funeral mass in the Valencia Cathedral on December 9, a solemn act in which they honored the memory of the victims together with the main political and religious of the country.
In each of these appearances, they reaffirmed their commitment to the recovery of the Valencian Community. The Casa del Rey also highlighted the work of emergency teams, NGOs, volunteers and companies that dedicated themselves to helping the victims, remembering that in the darkest moments, solidarity remains an unbreakable light.
On December 31, the King’s House released a video that summarizes the involvement of Felipe VI and Letizia in the DANA tragedy. In it, images of his visits to the affected areas are intertwined with messages of support and recognition to those who have worked tirelessly in the reconstruction. The video begins with the King’s initial words after learning the extent of the disaster: “Today we are all Valencians. We share your pain and we will work together to overcome this tragedy.” From there, a visual tour unfolds that includes his arrival in Paiporta, the meetings with neighbors and volunteers, and the solemn tribute to the victims in the cathedral. In the message accompanying the video, the King’s House expresses its “deep gratitude” to the security forces, the emergency services and the citizens who did not hesitate to offer their help. “On this New Year’s Eve, our most sincere memory goes to the victims, the wounded and all those affected by DANA,” the statement concludes.
The involvement of the Kings in the management of the tragedy has generated conflicting opinions. While some sectors applaud his empathy and closeness, others criticize what they consider late or merely symbolic gestures. The visit to Paiporta, in particular, was the subject of analysis due to the tense climate that surrounded it.
However, experts in institutional communication agree that the image of monarchs covered in mud and listening to citizens reinforces their role as figures of unity and support in times of crisis. “Felipe VI and Letizia have shown that, beyond words, they are willing to be on the front line when the people need them,” says an analyst.
A closing of the year full of meaning
For the Royal Family, the year 2024 will be remembered not only for its personal and historical anniversaries, but also for the tragedy that marked its agenda and its relationship with citizens. In a context of distrust towards institutions, the gestures of the Kings have sought to strengthen the emotional bond with the population, especially in communities hit by pain. In their New Year’s Eve message, Felipe VI and Letizia have opted for an act of memory and recognition that transcends protocol. By remembering the victims of DANA and highlighting the collective effort to overcome the tragedy, the monarchs have launched a message of hope and unity for the year ahead.
In a country that still feels the scars of the cold drop, the commitment of the Kings has become a reminder that, even in the most difficult moments, joint efforts can make way for reconstruction and hope. And so, with their eyes focused on those affected, Felipe VI and Letizia close a complex year, reaffirming their role as symbols of a monarchy that seeks to renew itself in closeness and service to the people.
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