MADRID, October 12, 2024 (EFE).— The heavy rain that fell on Madrid did not prevent the National Holiday Day paradealthough its duration was shortened and the attendees who, defying the bad weather, went to the Paseo del Prado, were not able to enjoy the passing of the planes or the skydiving jump.
Precisely the smaller influx of public due to the rain caused the traditional whistles and boos to the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchezwere much more moderate than in previous years, although upon their arrival to the Neptune Squarewas the subject of shouts of “out, out” by some attendees stationed in the surroundings, while cheers were also heard from Philip VI.
The parade was presided over by Kings Felipe and Letiziaaccompanied by the Princess Eleanordressed in the Naval Academy midshipman uniform.
In total, 4,092 members of the Armed Forces, including 473 women, 166 motorized vehicles and 210 horses, traveled in the rain the 1,540 meters that separate the Plaza de Carlos V, in Atocha, from where the parade departed, and the Plaza de Columbus, final point of it.
They did not fly in the Spanish National Holiday parade
Rain and cloud cover prevented the 85 aircraft (56 planes and 20 helicopters) that were scheduled to fly in the air parade from participating, including those from the “Eagle Patrol” that every year they paint the skies of Madrid with the colors of the national flag.
Nor could the attendees enjoy the Acrobatic Parachuting Patrol of the Air and Space Army (Papea).
The jump of two capes was planned, one carrying the Flag of Spain, and the other the commemorative banner of the 10th. anniversary of the proclamation of Felipe VI.
They waited until shortly before the start of the event to make the decision to cancel the air show in case weather conditions improved.
They decide to continue with the parade of the National Holiday of Spain
At the moment of greatest intensity of the rain when approximately half of the units had already paraded, it was possible to see how the king was talking with Sánchez, Margarita Robles, Minister of Defense, and the Chief of the Defense Staff (Jemad) to weigh the possibility of interrupting the military parade, although it was finally decided to go ahead.
This year the parade wanted to pay tribute to the Spanish soldiers who participate in peace missions abroad, especially those who are deployed in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force for Lebanon (Unifil).
The flag of the HIMescorted by a picket, participated for the first time in the military parade.
Also as a novelty, the flags of Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal and Czechiacountries that together with Spain form one of the eight combat groups that make up the multinational brigade in the mission of the I’LL TAKE in charge of deterrence on the eastern flank.
The kings arrived around 11 a.m. at Neptune Squarewhere the Royal Tribune was located and, after receiving military honors, Don Felipe reviewed the Honors Battalion.
Subsequently, the monarchs greeted the authorities, led by Sánchez, Margarita Robles and the Jemad, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón.
They also greeted the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the mayor of the capital, José Luis Martínez Almeida.
Almost all of the regional presidents also attended.
Against the trend of the last 14 years, the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, was present.
The mascot of the Royal Guard
Did not miss the stop the mascot of the Royal Guardwhich on this occasion was a male sheep named Killo.
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