King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visit Ceuta for first time since 2007

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Ceuta on Tuesday, marking the first royal visit to the Spanish North African exclave in nearly two decades. They were greeted by cheering crowds waving Spanish flags and some who chanted, I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish.

The royal couple’s presence serves as a symbolic assertion of sovereignty over a territory that Morocco continues to claim. For residents of the 18.5 square kilometer city, the visit is a response to a summer of instability that saw humanitarian organizations estimate at least 141 deaths during the border surge. The crisis has transformed the city into a political flashpoint ahead of Spanish elections scheduled for next month.

Disputed Figures on Remaining Migrants

A significant gap exists between local and national government data regarding the current scale of the crisis. Ceuta’s conservative Mayor, Juan Jesús Vivas, estimates that 15,000 migrants remain in the city, describing the situation as a “pressure cooker that could explode at any moment.” Vivas has previously labeled this the most serious national security crisis of Spain’s democratic era.

The central government disputes these numbers. Official estimates are considerably lower, with government representatives stating that 7,400 places were available to house migrants. This discrepancy highlights the friction between local administration and Madrid over the adequacy of the response.

The human cost of the July surge is evident at the Sidi Embarek Muslim cemetery. King Felipe and Queen Letizia are scheduled to attend an interfaith ceremony there to honor those who died during the crossings. According to POLITICO, approximately 90 people are buried at the site, and Ceuta’s Deputy Mayor, Kissy Chandiramani, told the outlet that Morocco refused to repatriate the deceased. Analyst Ignacio Cembrero called this refusal a slap in the face.

Social Cohesion and Allegations of Abuse

The influx has strained the traditional Christian-Muslim coexistence in Ceuta. Local tensions have manifested in violent ways, with some residents destroying shelters and blocking aid intended for migrants.

While the royal couple visited a multicultural school to emphasize religious respect, the reality on the ground remains volatile. CP24 reports that many underage migrants continue to live on the streets. The Spanish government is investigating allegations of torture and mistreatment by Spanish soldiers, following an Amnesty International report. One migrant told the AP that soldiers beat him so severely he required staples in his head.

Morocco Rejects Spanish Sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla

Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta or Melilla.

The tension is not merely diplomatic but historical. POLITICO notes that many Spaniards recall the 1975 “Green March,” where Morocco mobilized civilians to force Spain to hand over the Spanish Sahara. This history informs current fears that migration surges could be weaponized to force territorial concessions.

The Spanish government’s stance remains firm. Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated this week that Ceuta and Melilla are unquestionably Spanish. In his first public appearance since the crisis, King Mohammed VI of Morocco said cooperation with Spain faced major challenges, though he did not mention the royal visit.

Timeline of the Border Surge and Royal Response

The royal couple left a message in Ceuta’s book of honor stating the visit was “long awaited and long overdue.” They aimed to demonstrate the commitment of Spain to the future of the city. The pair noted the trip was the first since King Juan Carlos I visited in 2007.

As the King prepares to deliver a speech from the Parador hotel Tuesday evening, the focus shifts to Melilla on Wednesday. King Felipe previously visited Melilla in 1904 to lay a port foundation stone, and again in 1911 and 1926.