Spain Faces Backlash Over Absence at Notre-Dame Reopening

The absence of King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Spanish officials at the high-profile event has drawn criticism and political scrutiny within Spain.

• Spain was notably absent from the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, attended by global leaders and royals, including Donald Trump, Prince William, and the King of Belgium.
• Despite being invited, neither King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, nor the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, attended the event, with officials citing scheduling conflicts and non-transferable invitations.
• The Minister of Culture reportedly spent the day at a circus event in Madrid, while the royal couple attended a memorial service in Valencia for victims of recent floods in Spain.
• The absence has been labeled a 'shame' by opposition figures in Spain, who argue it reflects poorly on the country’s international representation and governance.
• The controversy has fueled political tensions, with critics accusing the left-leaning government of neglecting Spain's cultural and diplomatic ties, while government sources downplayed the significance of the incident.

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