Queen Letizia faced an awkward moment on Saturday during a family engagement in Llanes with King Felipe, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia. The Spanish royals were attending a ceremony to present the 2026 Exemplary Town Award to the Santa Ana Fishermen's Guild, before stepping onto a fishing boat as part of the visit. According to Hello Magazine, Letizia slipped and fell to the deck during the tour. Palace aides moved in quickly, but the queen got back up on her own and continued with the outing alongside her family.
Queen Letizia Slips During Fishing Boat Visit
The incident came after uncertainty over whether the family would board the vessel at all. Sea conditions had been rough in the area, and waves had recently been seen crashing over the deck. Even so, the group went ahead with the short tour as part of the official program. Letizia’s fall was brief, but it drew attention because it happened in full public view during a tightly watched royal appearance. The queen, however, appeared composed afterward, and the visit continued without any visible disruption to the schedule.
Princess Leonor Speaks at Llanes Ceremony
Princess Leonor also took on a central role during the occasion by delivering a speech that referenced the local history of the region. "It seems that one Saturday—more or less like this one, but over 500 years ago—a namesake of mine appeared here and, apparently, was very pleased with what she saw," Leonor said according to Hello Magazine. She also spoke about women in the area who wore a rodiellu on their heads while traveling through the municipality and beyond, tying the present-day ceremony to long-standing community traditions.
Diplomatic Reception Brought Another Awkward Moment
The outing followed another uncomfortable scene for Letizia earlier this month during a diplomatic reception. At that gathering, the royal family welcomed ambassadors and representatives from Ceuta and Melilla when one ambassador did not take the outstretched hands of Letizia, Leonor and Sofia. Online reaction was swift, with some describing the moment as disrespectful. Reports indicated, however, that the gesture may have reflected religious and cultural practice rather than a personal slight, as some customs discourage physical contact between men and women in formal greetings.
Infanta Sofia and Leonor Mark a Busy Family Week
The Llanes appearance capped a full week for the family. On Thursday, all four attended the 34th Princess of Asturias Awards Concert, a notable reunion as Sofia is currently studying abroad. The young royal is in her second year at Forward College after beginning her studies in Lisbon and later moving to Paris. She is expected to complete the final stage in Berlin in 2027. Leonor, meanwhile, started university last month at Carlos III University of Madrid after completing three years of military training, adding a new chapter to her public and academic life.
