Overview

• During preparations on July 31 off Mallorca, a roughly 100-kilogram mainsail mast collapsed onto the deck just centimeters from King Felipe’s head.
• Video footage of the incident shows the heavy mast’s fall and the monarch’s calm response as crew members reacted in alarm.
• Despite the near miss, the 57-year-old king emerged uninjured and immediately resumed race preparations aboard the Aifos 500.
• Felipe has competed annually in the Copa del Rey since his time as Prince of Asturias and holds the title of Captain General of the Spanish Navy.
• Princess Leonor, in the midst of a three-year military training program, was promoted to Midshipman Second Class and received the Grand Cross of Maritime Merit in mid-July.