Felipe VI and Doña Letizia have gone a step further in their intention to have “a renewed monarchy for a new time.” The Kings replaced the Easter mass in Palma de Mallorca last year, the only private Eucharist in which they were seen, with acts of social and cultural interest. Thus, they went to visit Ukrainian refugees who had arrived at the Pozuelo de Alarcón Reception Center. This year his schedule was clear, but the King and his wife wanted to be with the people at some cultural event related to Holy Week. To do?
Far from leaving it in the hands of the Zarzuela team, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia looked for an activity that met the following requirements: it had to be near Madrid, starting on Friday, because Princess Leonor was arriving on Thursday afternoon from Wales; and have meaning.
The King knew Chinchón, but had never been to the Passion performance, unlike Doña Letizia, who had visited it decades before, before becoming a member of the Royal Family. Searching, they found that the event was celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so the plan made sense and strength. The problem is that the main square of Chinchón welcomes thousands of onlookers on Holy Saturday who want to follow the Passion. But that security challenge, because the Royal Family did not want to be in a limited place but with the people, did not stop the desire of the Kings.
To maintain the secret, only the necessary number of people knew of the presence of the Royal Family, in fact a neighbor was upset when members of civil protection asked him to change places, and he did not understand the reason. Not even civil protection knew. Around six in the afternoon, members of the Zarzuela security team began to study the area and draw up a plan on the fly so as not to interfere, so that the Kings could find out about this Passion and that no one would bother. Almost until the last moment they had not decided what to do, but finally they decided to join from the second stop of the performance, since entering the square twice was very complicated. Upon arrival, that upset man became satisfied: “Well, having told me they were coming, what a pride,” he excused himself.
Don Felipe and Doña Letizia want to be close, aware of the problems of society. Their daily agenda acts are authorized by the Government and organized by protocol teams, so they have no room for action if the Executive on duty does not let them do it. However, it is in moments of improvisation such as the cajonada or the surprise appearance in Chinchón that give them room to get closer to society.
This Saturday they found the balance. They tried to interfere as little as possible in the performance, in the expectation of having the Kings by their side. In fact, in one of the Falls of Jesus Christ, a neighbor did not stop commenting on the act with Doña Letizia, while the King recorded what was happening with her cell phone. It was only at the end of everything, around twelve at night, when hundreds of citizens wanted to approach the Kings.
There, the security device placed them behind some fences and they greeted everyone they wanted. In fact, Doña Letizia insistently called her daughters to greet neighbors who were demanding them. The Queen herself chatted, took selfies and listened to the stories they told her, setting an example for the Princess and the Infanta.
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