After much reflection, King Felipe has made a decision that he has already communicated to the Royal Household. This is a significant step for the institution that comes at a key moment. In a few days, we will all witness the consequences of Felipe's determination and the reason that has led him to make it.
Although this is not the first time it has happened, it shows King Felipe's firm convictions with the Royal Household. The event will take place next July 25, when the National Offering to the Apostle Santiago will be held.
King Felipe communicates to the Royal Household the step he has decided to take
King Felipe's official agenda begins, once again, with numerous scheduled events. From this very Monday until Friday, we will see His Majesty scrupulously fulfilling several appointments. All except one, which the king himself has already communicated to the Royal Household.
King Felipe has decided to delegate to Alfonso Rueda the Offering to the Apostle on July 25, which will be held in Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral will host the solemn event, thus keeping the tradition. However, the king has communicated to the Royal Household that this year he has decided not to attend the liturgy.
In his place, the president of the Xunta will represent the sovereign in the Compostela cathedral, repeating the role he already assumed in 2023. The reason for Felipe's absence is due to a rule within the Royal Household: when there is no Holy Year of Compostela, the king delegates.
Felipe personally presided over the offerings in 2021 and 2022, during the extraordinary Jacobean sequence, thus highlighting the national and spiritual dimension of the rite. However, in previous years he also chose to delegate, showing that ceremonial continuity doesn't depend on the king's physical presence.
In 2024, representation fell to the president of the Galician Parliament, Miguel Ángel Santalices, illustrating the rotation of Galician authorities in the royal commission. This alternation allows recognition to be distributed among the main institutions of Galicia and preserves the nature of a ceremony with national projection.
King Felipe will represent the Royal Household in other events
This is just one of the many appointments that the Royal Household will have during this week. Although King Felipe will not attend the Offering to the Apostle, this will not keep him away from Galicia. His Majesty will be in the Galician community this week for events at the Naval School of Marín, where Leonor will swear the flag and receive honors.
It should not be forgotten that, during last week, the Royal Family attended several recognitions in the Galician community. The heiress received the Gold Medal of Galicia and was proclaimed Favorite Daughter of Marín.
Now, once again, members of the Royal Household will return to Galicia for new recognitions for Leonor. Not to Santiago de Compostela, however, for Galicia's main day. Felipe's decision not to attend the offering also affects the other members of the Crown.
This doesn't mean that the event will be suspended. Thanks to the king's delegation to Alfonso Rueda, the Royal Household keeps the ceremonial and ecclesiastical event going. When Felipe delegates, the essence remains: thus, the nation, embodied in legitimate authorities, entrusts itself to the Apostle, asking for guidance, harmony, and shared hope.
Figures such as Manuel Fraga, Emilio Pérez Touriño, various mayors, and successive presidents of Parliament have spoken on behalf of the Royal Household. Members of the royal family, such as Infanta Cristina, have also assumed the offering in certain years.
In addition, Rueda's presence in the Compostela presbytery on July 25 updates the historic commitment between Galicia and the Crown. This is the same commitment that has led the heiress to receive numerous decorations in the Galician community.