King Felipe and Queen Letizia have ended their first week of engagements after the summer break with a trip to the city of Pamplona to celebrate an important anniversary. 

Upon their arrival in the capital of Navarra, on the morning of 8th September 2023, Their Majesties were welcomed by local authorities, as well as a group of well-wishers who gathered to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen. 

Their first stop was the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal, where they paid tribute to King Charles III, also called the Noble, with a visit to his mausoleum where they laid a wreath before signing of the Cathedral’s guest book. 

After a short walk, and cheered on by local residents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrived at the Condestable Palace, where municipal archivist Beatriz Marcotegui gave them a tour of the exhibition that was created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the signing of the Privilege of the Union Treaty. 

They then visited Consistorial Square where they toured a local produce and crafts market, organised by the Association of Local Produce. Afterwards, a group of children presented the King and Queen with San Fermín handkerchiefs, which the two of them wore around their necks right away, smiling broadly. 

The last stop was the Municipal Building, where they greeted the municipal council and listened to a short musical intermission in the Reception Hall, before moving to the Mayor’s office to sign the VIP guests book. 

The Privilege of the Union Treaty was signed in 1423 to join together the three main villages that made up the city of Pamplona; in 1618, the treaty was printed in multiple copies that were subsequently distributed among citizens, especially those who worked in the trading business.

Nowadays, the signing of the treaty is celebrated every year with a week of events, including concerts and exhibitions, as well as a three-day long market throughout the closest weekend, and a homage to Charles III the Noble, the King who ratified the treaty.