Intense rainfall in eastern Spain caused deadly and destructive flash floods in the province of Valencia last week, leading to significant damage. King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the town of Paiporta, one of the areas most affected by the floods, alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other officials. The King and Queen also attended a meeting at the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI) of the Valencian Community.
They were met with an angry crowd and got mud and other stuff thrown at them.
ReplyDeleteActually the insults and mud were for the politicians, the Prime Minister and the President of the Autonomous Community of Valencia that were with them too. Pedro Sánchez run away.
DeleteIt's a bit strange that this is not mentioned in the information above
DeleteYet they continued and did it with grace!
DeleteWhy?
DeleteWhich they did NOT deserve!!
DeleteFor those asking why, go to the news and read a report.
DeleteBecause of this visit the ongoing rescue operations had to be stopped for half a day. I can understand their sentiments.
DeleteApparently Aid response was late! it was bad to watch, Felipe was pushed and covered in mud. its the governments job to deal with emergency responses, Royals only come in comfort the people.
DeleteQueen Letizia is dressed appropriately for the somber mood. Good of her and the King to arrive quickly after the disaster. This is one of the most important jobs for monarchs to reach out to the people and responders to show you care.
ReplyDeleteThe people of Valencia do not agree, they have been without any help until now, only volunteers and there are 2000 people missing yet...and 217 people have died.
DeleteThe did NOT arrive quickly.
DeleteArrived quicky!? Don't you read the news? It took them four days to get there! No wonder mud and insults were thrown at them by the angry people.
DeleteAna Katarina
Sie wurden mit Schlamm und Dreck beworfen und übelst von den Menschen beschimpft als sie vor Ort waren.
ReplyDeleteIt was to Pedro Sánchez Who was there too, but he run away.
DeleteJa, und langsam kommt heraus, wer hinter diesen Angriffen steckt
DeleteMore than the clothing, I'm struck by the body language of the King and Queen.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
I noticed that as well.
DeleteOut of curriosity, what were you expecting them to wear? Gala attire to a disaster zone? Were you expecting them to laugh together in the midst of tragedy?
Delete@Anon 22:51 Your very poor understanding of my words does you no credit at all. In fact it is shameful. My comment states that while other posters are remarking on their clothing (fashion blog), I couldn't care about their attire at all. Instead, their stern looks, folded arms and legs-apart stance convey a look of defiance when listening to those affected. At least in these photographs.
Delete- Anon 9:13
Anon 22:51 What are you talking about? I think you missed what was being said by Anon 17:50. The clothes are of no importance in this situation. If you look at the expressions on their faces in the last two photos, they actually look angry. I don't know if they are angry, but it does not look like sympathy. It is not a typical expression we see on either one of them.
DeleteJe pense que ce n'était forcement destiné à eux, mais ces pauvres habitants doivent être dans une telle détresse qu'ils en veulent à la terre entière et reportent leur épuisement sur n'importe quelle autorité. Les habitants en veulent aussi aux autorités de ne pas les avoir prévenus assez tôt malgré les prévisions météorologiques.
ReplyDeleteThe mud and other things thrown were directed towards the Prime Minister of Spain and the President of the region who are criticised to have been extremely slow in warnings and aids. The King and Queen decided to stay, in spite of the anger, to listen, comfort and support. Even manifestants said so, the anger was not directed at them except incidentally. Apparently the President of the region is a right wing who do not believe in climate change. The Queen have been seen hugging and crying with people crying in her arms. The King and Queen have shown exemplary courage, dignity and empathy. For many in Spain, according to newspapers, the Queen and King have conquer the heart of their country, even if they are powerless.
ReplyDeleteThere is no food, no water, no electricity, no clothes...they need help, the Spanish Red Cross is conducting donations, only if you are interested
ReplyDeleteThe king has rightly understanding the reaction of those who are experiencing an immense tragedy (apart from any subversive infiltrations)
ReplyDeleteThe people were especially angry because a lot of interventions to fight these floods and which had been promised in the past, have never been executed. I saw pictures in my newspaper where queen Letizia at a certain moment had fear in her eyes. The king didn't show fear but continued to talk with the people and said the circumstances were that bad that he could understand their anger. In the afternoon another visit to another place has been cancelled because the police and security couldn't guarantee it was safe for the king and queen. Looking at the pictures of the disaster the floods have caused, it is understandable that the habitants of these places who lost everything their houses, their home, probably relatives who were killed or injured turned mad of being angry. It reminds me a bit of the floods which happened a couple of years ago in Belgium, The Netherlands and parts of Germany. The consequences of the climate change are becoming more and more real year after year.
ReplyDeleteIn such circumstances fashion is far from being important.
They arrived 4 days late!! The Queen was crying with mud all over her face!! Show the real pictures!!
ReplyDeleteOther pictures are for newspapers and not appropriate on this blog.
DeleteIt’s not necessarily helpful to have a Royal visit in a disaster when what you need is rescue and coordination crews! This is why such a visit is delayed a few days. Lives first, visits second - Grace
DeleteThere were before and after pics, but as this is a fashion blog, the before pics are shown. That’s ok. There are also pics and videos in other sites as you’ve seen of the queen crying as she embraces people affected by the flood. I would too. A terrible frightening and confronting situation. You can be glad they didn’t fly in on day 1 and interrupt the urgent tasks and more important work; day 4 will have been when the local coordination believed the timing to be ok. - Grace
DeleteI am not from Spain. Can you explain how it is Felipe and Letizia's fault? I understand that they have no political power. I want to understand why they are being targeted. In my country, governors and the president will tour disaster areas, but never in the first days. The government wants to insure the safety of officials. It would only make matters worse if our leaders were harmed or killed as a result of entering a disaster area too soon. The goal is to assess the damage without any further loss of life. Since our elected officials are not trained in the emergency efforts needed, They would only be in the way if they arrived during search and rescue efforts because they would require security, and it would draw the resources away from these efforts.
DeleteAnon 21:48...The King and Queen travelled with the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez and the President of Valencia Who h
DeleteDid nothing in 4 days and 217 people have died and 2000 missing...they have Lost everyrhing..the asked for the Army to go there for rescue they were trapped in cars. ..Trey were involved..I. Spanish we say "pagaron el pato".
The images of the disaster are horrific, such destruction and loss. The Queen looks appropriately dressed.
ReplyDeleteThis Royal couple will do their best to help.
ReplyDeleteMESH
Grace 21:13 said it best. It is not appropriate for officials or royals to be there first. Rescue workers, aide agencies need to get in there without the burden of security involved for the royals. The king and queen were dressed appropriately. They empathize with the people and I am sure are not happy with the hardship this natural disaster has caused their country.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteAda
The King and Queen went to the devastated Area so see the damage and to lend support to the people and they have been attacked by outsiders. It seems it really does not matter if someone really cares, because there are always people who want to do harm, for their own satisfaction and put blame to someone else or something else. I want to ask these people, if in their opinion God died and put them in charge? If their answer is yes, then God help us.
ReplyDeletecss
I have heard Presidents of the US be criticized for not visiting a disaster scene right away--and their media people make it very clear: to provide the necessary support and protection for a POTUS takes away from the people helping to rescue, support, etc in the affected area. This is why King Felipe and Queen Letizia waited for 4 days--they did not want to distract from the huge needs. They are both perfectly dressed for visiting the area. They are caring, concerned, and very focused on what they are hearing and learning. Their body language mirrors others in the photographs. I read the articles about the booing, mud and debris throwing, etc. I think Felipe and Letizia understood the anger--coming from fear, loss, and grief--and that is why they continued their visit--to show they care and want to help. They have soft power and it is very obvious they intend to use it--here and to make sure nothing like this can happen again.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Yes, practicality rules the day, not high fashion. How upsetting there are so many missing, and there is a death toll. The people were desperate for help. Mud is one thing, but pls don't throw rocks! Wish I could fly over and help. Chris L
ReplyDeleteThe people do not want royalty and others to have a look.They needed help.
ReplyDeleteThat is right, in almost a week only volunteers from the whole Spain have help, we are sending boots, clothes, food that does not need to be cooked or fridge...
DeleteThere are lots of Cars in the streets destroyed and 3 metres of mud..and people homeless...the Army arrives yesterday... Obviously Pedro Sánchez was traveling with the King to hide behind him...
As someone else said . Spanish Red Cross admita Bizum and donations.
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