Felipe VI and Doña Letizia arrived in Palma several days ago to enjoy their summer vacation. In the midst of these days of rest, the monarchs have received an official communication that has captured all their attention. The invitation comes from the Legislature de Burgos and has a strong historical and cultural component.
The reception of this message puts on the table an event of great relevance for the royal family. The invitation marks a special moment that unites history, science, and tourism, sparking the interest of all of Spain.
A tribute to royal tradition
Legislature Provincial de Burgos sent on August 12 a formal invitation to Felipe VI, recalling Alfonso XIII's trip more than a century ago. In 1905, the then monarch traveled to Burgos to witness a similar total eclipse, together with the Bordeaux Astronomical Observatory. History seems to be repeating itself and Burgos is preparing to be in the spotlight once again.
Six priority locations have been defined for observation: Arija, Poza de la Sal, Lodoso, Villagómez, Hacinas, and the Roman site of Clunia. Each site will have security measures and special protocols in place due to the expected influx of the public.
Inma Sierra, spokesperson for the provincial government team, emphasized that the king's presence will have great symbolic value. She also highlighted that his attendance will help put Burgos back on the country's tourist and media map.
The message for Letizia, according to sources close to King Felipe
According to sources close to King Felipe, the invitation included an explicit message for Queen Letizia: her presence is considered essential at the event. The same sources point out that the queen's name was clearly included in the invitation, confirming her official participation.
Her attendance has been considered important to reinforce the significance of the event and the historical bond with the Royal House. The royal family could enjoy the eclipse while keeping security protocols and discretion. The event, beyond the astronomical phenomenon, has a symbolic background that recalls the continuity of the monarchical tradition and its relationship with science and culture.
For the queen, this occasion combines history, science, and heritage in a single event of great relevance. Legislature hopes that her attendance will serve as inspiration for citizens and visitors to experience a truly unique moment.
Science and tourism in Burgos
Astrophysicist Beatriz Varona has highlighted that total eclipses offer an exceptional opportunity to study the solar corona, which is visible only during these events. She reminded that observation must be done with special glasses or telescopes with a filter to avoid eye damage. This will be the first of three eclipses visible in Spain in the coming years.
The phenomenon will also attract unprecedented tourist interest. It is expected that between five and seven million people will travel to Spain to witness it, with Burgos as a priority destination. The province offers optimal visibility, prepared infrastructure, and historical appeal, consolidating itself as an ideal observation point.
The symbolic start of the countdown took place on August 13 in the capital of Burgos, in an event full of meaning and anticipation. During the day, a striking "time machine" was launched to keep interest alive until the designated date. With this gesture, the path toward a summer that promises to go down in history was officially inaugurated.