As 2024 draws to a close in just four days, many look back to reminisce about the past 12 months. In recent times, this has become a trend on social media. For the Royal Household, however, it has become a tradition. Once again, they have recounted their activities in a nearly hour-and-a-half video, available on their YouTube channel. This retrospective serves to highlight the commitments attended by King Felipe (56), Queen Letizia (52), Princess Leonor (19), Infanta Sofía (17), and Emerita Sofía (86).
The video does not follow a chronological order but is divided by the various areas of their agenda. It recalls the events each member has attended, either alone or accompanied by one another. This is a purely institutional video, showcasing only the celebrations carried out as the Royal Household. Nevertheless, some moments illustrate their familial bond.
This year has been marked by the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s reign. For the Kings and their daughters, this has been the major celebration in terms of their institutional life. It is noteworthy that the sovereign and Letizia also celebrated two decades of marriage. However, this private milestone is not included in the mentioned clip.
Here are four occasions when the Kings and their daughters have come together as the Royal Family in 2024, capturing images and anecdotes that go beyond the institutional.
10 Years of Felipe on the Throne
“Service, commitment, and duty.” The 2024 summary video begins with the motto chosen to commemorate Felipe VI’s tenth anniversary on the throne. This phrase will be used across all their official channels until June 19, 2025.
A series of moments from that intense day follows, with activities running from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm. The clip opens with an image of Felipe, Letizia, Leonor, and Sofía from behind, on the balcony of the Royal Palace, presiding over the solemn changing of the Royal Guard. The salute from this iconic setting and the reception of guests at a subsequent meeting are other moments captured in the video.
The highlight comes just seconds later. The Royal Household recalls the great surprise that Leonor and Sofía gave their parents during lunch at the Royal Palace. An unprecedented moment that has arguably become the most anecdotal of the year. Following the toast made by Felipe VI in the Gala Dining Room as a prelude to the meal, his daughters rose from the ends of the imperial table and approached a microphone in front of their parents to say a few words.
“Thank you for joining us to remind everyone that in these ten years we have learned from our parents what it means to have the commitment that we all four have to all Spaniards,” said the Infanta. The heir then took the floor: “A toast to our mother and father, to our Kings. Because since we were born, they have taught us the value of this institution, of the Crown. Its utility for our society and its purpose to serve all. Mom, Dad, thank you very much.”
Images of the Royal Family walking through the courtyard of the Royal Palace amidst applause and cheers close the first significant memory of the Royal Household’s summary video.
It is an annual appointment marked in the agenda of the four. This year was no exception, and as the Royal Household’s summary video reminds us, in July they were together at both the gala celebration and the preceding events.
Regarding the Princess of Girona Awards, the clip focuses on the speech delivered by Leonor under the attentive gaze of her parents and sister, seated in the front row. The three followed her words closely and after stepping down from the stage, the heir embraced each of them lovingly. A gesture valuing their family relationship amidst an institutional event.
A similar situation occurred at the Princess of Asturias Awards at the end of October. Leonor’s speech, witnessed by her parents and sister, is one of the standout moments highlighted in the video uploaded to YouTube on December 24.
The King’s words, as well as the iconic moment of Joan Manuel Serrat (80), one of the awardees, singing before the guests, are other highlights featured in the clip regarding the Princess of Asturias gala, one of the special events for the Borbón Ortiz family. On one hand, because they bear the name of the heir’s title. On the other, because they are held in the hometown of Queen Letizia. On July 15, the Kings and their daughters received the Spanish National Football Team at La Zarzuela to celebrate their victory in the Euro Cup.
On the day of their victory, Felipe, accompanied by his daughter Sofía, presented them with the trophy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. But it was the following day that, unexpectedly, parents and daughters welcomed the players. Initially, it was thought only the Kings would attend, but ultimately, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía joined the meeting, both donned in the La Roja jersey.
The summary video of 2024 activities published by the Royal Household shows exactly the moment when Felipe VI received the team’s jersey, along with some shared moments with the footballers.
