Queen Letizia of Spain had to take a seat several times during a traditional royal summer reception.

Letizia joined her husband, King Felipe VI, and her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, to meet people from across Mallorca invited to the annual celebration held by the royals during their summer stay on the island.

It’s understood the Queen of Spain is being treated for Morton’s neuroma which affects the ball of the foot and which makes standing and walking extremely uncomfortable.

During the reception, which saw her greet hundreds of people, she lent against and sat on a high stool brought out to the courtyard of the Palace of Almudaina for her support.

Queen Sofia, 85, also seemed particularly attentive to her daughter in law as they greeted guests side by side.

It’s not the first time that the condition has led to Letizia taking a seat during official engagements. During the State Visit by the King and Queen of Spain to the Netherlands earlier this year, Letizia sat to greet guests at the State Banquet and for the official portrait with her hosts.

The Spanish royals traditionally invite people from across Mallorca to a reception during their stay on the island.

Spain’s royal family has spent part of the summer there for decades with the tradition instituted by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

During the reign of King Felipe VI, the Mallorca stay has changed. The Spanish monarch still meets politicians and dignitaries at the start of the stay. However, the reception that always took place inside is now held in the gardens of the Almudaina.

The Spanish royal family also used to host a photocall inside the palace walls but in recent years, King Felipe and Queen Letizia have headed out and about to famous landmarks on the island with their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.

It’s not clear whether that will happen this year as Leonor and Sofia are high profile supporters of the Spanish Olympics team in Paris and causing quite a stir with their participation at the Games.