Spain’s King Felipe VI begins visit to occupied Ceuta

Spain’s King Felipe VI begins visit to occupied Ceuta
Spain's King Felipe VI (C) waves upon his arrival in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, on October 13, 2026. Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia make a diplomatically sensitive visit to Ceuta today in support of a city mired in crisis since July's migrant rush from Morocco. Their trip will mark the first royal visit since 2007 when a diplomatic crisis erupted with neighbouring Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Spain's other North African territory of Melilla. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Tuesday 13 October 2026 - 11:01

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in the occupied city of Ceuta on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14.

The visit marks Felipe VI’s first official trip to the two cities since becoming king in 2014 and the first royal visit since 2007, when tensions escalated with Morocco.

The trip also comes less than three months after dozens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta during the late-July migration crisis, putting unusual pressure on the city and straining relations across the border. 

Spanish authorities spent several days preparing the route the royal couple would follow.

Spanish media reported that around 1,800 police officers, Civil Guard personnel, and military members would take part in the security operation.

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