Rabat – King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14, marking the first Spanish royal visit to the two cities since 2007. The trip comes less than three months after the major migration crisis in Ceuta and amid renewed public discussion in Morocco and Spain over the status of the two cities.
The last Spanish royal visit to both cities was made by former King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía on November 6 and 7, 2007. That trip prompted a strong reaction from Rabat, including the recall of Morocco’s ambassador to Madrid for consultations.
The new visit comes after thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta from Morocco in late July. King Felipe VI followed the situation closely at the time and described the events as an “unacceptable” violation of a Spanish and European border, during a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Madrid, held on Tuesday for French President Emmanuel Macron. He also called for greater European cooperation and said countries on the EU’s external borders could not carry the responsibility alone.
The mass crossings also became a major political issue in Spain, with the far-right Vox, among others, using the episode to intensify its criticism of Morocco and the Spanish government. The party portrayed the arrivals as part of a broader challenge to Spain’s territorial integrity and called for tougher measures at the borders with Morocco. Moroccan authorities, meanwhile, rejected accusations that Rabat had deliberately facilitated the crossings.
The episode added to longstanding political tensions surrounding Ceuta and Melilla. The issue has periodically resurfaced in bilateral relations, particularly during periods of diplomatic tension between Rabat and Madrid.
In August, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi described the two cities as part of Morocco’s historical and geographical rights and called for dialogue with Spain over their future.
However, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita later told his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares that recent statements by Moroccan ministers on the issue were made in an electoral context and did not represent the official position of the Moroccan government, according to Albares’ account of their conversation.
Albares nevertheless said the remarks were unacceptable and warned that Moroccan claims over Ceuta and Melilla “degrade” bilateral relations. He has also repeatedly said Madrid will not discuss Spain’s territorial integrity with Rabat.
The royal visit was announced after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in August that Felipe VI would travel to Ceuta when the conditions were right. Albares later said “the king did not need authorization” from Morocco to visit any Spanish city, while noting that Madrid could share information with Rabat as a matter of diplomatic courtesy.
