Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with King Felipe VI on Monday, according to El Correo, after concluding that there are "sufficient reasons" for the monarch to visit the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
The meeting took place on 31 August 2026, as reported by the Spanish outlet. Sánchez's position marks a shift in the government's stance on the royal itinerary, though the specific reasons behind the push for the visit were not detailed in the available reporting.
The proposal comes amid broader political tension between the government and the royal household. El Confidencial described the move as a deliberate strategy from within the government to increase pressure on Zarzuela, the official residence of the King. The outlet characterized Sánchez's approach as dismissive toward the monarch, signaling a further escalation in their relationship.
Other Spanish media have weighed in on the significance of a potential royal visit. EL PAÍS examined what such a trip would mean for Ceuta and why it matters, without specifying the exact implications. Meanwhile, abc.es suggested that Sánchez is using the King as a distraction from the government's handling of the earlier Ceuta migration crisis, which saw a large influx of migrants into the city in 2021.
Expansión offered a more critical view, framing the episode as part of a broader decline in support for Sánchez's political project. The outlet did not provide further details in the summary.
No official confirmation from the royal household or the government has been reported in the available material.
What to watch next: whether Zarzuela responds to the prime minister's request and whether a visit is formally scheduled.
