A slip by King Felipe could put the Spanish monarchy's relations with England, and with King Charles III in particular, at risk. In a world where every detail matters, any unexpected gesture can lead to multiple interpretations.
Above all, when the British monarchy is prone to controversies of all kinds. This time, this isn't a minor slip. Instead, it's one that has been public, so the damage is even greater.
King Felipe makes a slip that could pose a problem with King Charles III
A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes what isn't said can weigh even more than what is shown. This is what happened with King Felipe and the mistake that could put his relationship with King Charles III in jeopardy.
The king shared a photograph with the royal family gathered during the Euro Cup final. However, Felipe made a mistake that many consider undiplomatic: he forgot to mention the British royal family. The post, which at first glance seemed like just another protocol snapshot, included several prominent members of King Charles III's family.
Specifically, Prince William and his daughter Charlotte, smiling alongside Leonor and Infanta Sofía. Nevertheless, in the text accompanying the image, there wasn't a single mention of the British royal family, which has raised suspicions.
This slip could upset King Charles III, because it's not just a matter of forgetting on social media. In the current context, where diplomacy is also conducted through Instagram, every word matters. Not mentioning such a relevant royal house as the British one can be interpreted as a lack of courtesy.
Especially if we consider that both monarchies have shared joint events in the past and have publicly shown a cordial relationship. Considering the long history of relations between both crowns, this gesture, however small it may seem, may have subtly damaged the image between both countries.
King Felipe is exposed by not returning the gesture to King Charles III
This mistake by King Felipe is exposed if we consider the gesture made by the institution represented by King Charles III. The British royal family shared the same snapshot, but unlike Felipe, they did mention the Spanish Crown.
Some royal protocol experts argue that these small gestures have symbolic implications. Not mentioning the Windsors in an official post could be interpreted as a subtle way of creating distance. Although it's also possible that it was simply a slip.
In England, the issue hasn't escalated to alarming levels, but it may have been noted. That's why experts believe that this kind of mistake must be avoided at all costs. A misstep in the digital world can generate real political noise with its respective consequences.
Beyond speculation, the incident highlights the importance of royal protocol and the need for careful consideration in public communication. Especially in the era of social media, where every detail is scrutinized.
The Spanish royal family hasn't issued any comment on the matter. Nevertheless, the strategies that King Felipe and King Charles III employ in the digital era are evident. While the British monarchy pays attention to the smallest detail, the Spanish one is much less rigid.
The official account representing King Felipe has only been active for one year and is much less active than King Charles III's. It also doesn't interact with other European monarchies and keeps a more sober tone. Perhaps it was this lack of need for interaction that led to the mistake that could upset King Charles.