On Sunday, November 3, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain visited Valencia, a region hit hard by deadly floods that claimed over 200 lives.
Their arrival, intended as a show of support for the community, was met with frustration and protests, as citizens vented their anger over what they see as a lack of timely warning and support from authorities.
As the king and queen walked through the streets of Paiporta, a town heavily affected by the flood, they encountered crowds shouting “murderer” and “shame.” Some protesters even threw mud and other objects at the royal couple.
Queen Letizia, visibly upset, was seen with mud on her face and comforting a resident overcome by emotion. King Felipe, guided by security, also faced heckles and demands for answers from the angry crowd.
This backlash stems from a perceived failure by the government and emergency services to alert citizens about the scale of the danger in time. Many locals were frustrated that a warning telling people to stay indoors was issued only after the floods had already started on October 29.
Although Spain’s state-run weather agency had warned of worsening conditions earlier, the actual alert arrived late, leaving many residents feeling unprepared and abandoned.
Los Reyes, durante su visita a Paiporta (Valencia) esta mañana. pic.twitter.com/0OpPm9pAp0
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) November 3, 2024
In response to a resident’s accusations during the visit, the king was confronted with claims that “they knew” the dangers in advance but “did nothing.” One man voiced his frustration to Felipe, saying, “You’ve abandoned us. You’re four days too late.” This sentiment captures the frustration shared by many, who felt left to fend for themselves during the disaster.
Although King Felipe holds no political power—Spain’s government operates under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez—the royal visit highlights the symbolic role the monarchy plays during times of crisis.
Similar to the British royal family, Spain’s monarchy does not intervene in political affairs. Nonetheless, many saw the king’s visit as an opportunity for him to listen to their grievances.
Prime Minister Sánchez, who was also present in the region, experienced similar hostility from the crowd.
According to Spain’s Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Sánchez was struck by a protester and had to be quickly evacuated by his security team. This incident illustrates the growing tension between citizens and the government over the handling of the crisis.
In an online statement released later, Felipe expressed his sympathy for those affected by the disaster, acknowledging the pain and frustration in Valencia. “One has to understand the anger and frustration of many people given all that they have gone through,” he said, addressing officials in the region.
A post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared on October 30 revealed Felipe’s grief, saying he was “devastated” by the disaster and sent “strength, courage, and all the necessary support” to those affected. Despite this, many in the community remain skeptical, feeling that words alone aren’t enough to address the loss and damage they’ve suffered.
The floods in Valencia brought unprecedented rainfall, with a year’s worth of rain falling in just eight hours on October 29, according to BBC reports. This created one of Spain’s most severe floods in the past 30 years, surpassing the devastation of a 1996 flood in the Pyrenees mountains that killed 87 people.
The recent floods have left more than 140,000 residents in the Valencia region without power, adding to the difficulties locals face as they try to rebuild.
So far, authorities have recovered 217 bodies, with most victims coming from Valencia. For many, the impact of this tragedy goes beyond the immediate loss, raising questions about preparedness, government response, and support for the affected communities.
As Spain mourns the lives lost, the flood’s aftermath reveals the need for improved early warning systems and a faster response to extreme weather events. The tragedy also highlights the challenges Spain faces as it adapts to increasingly severe weather patterns, potentially intensified by climate change.
Our deep gratitude for the messages of condolence, consolation, support and solidarity with the Spanish people due to devastating consequences of the DANA. pic.twitter.com/xIxQeVMBJY
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) November 2, 2024
