The National Flag as a common symbol for all Spaniards at the centre of the King's speech at the Official Military Holiday

'Everyone's flag'. That is how His Majesty King Felipe VI referred to the national symbol at the Official Military Holiday speech, on 6 January at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

In his remarks, he reminded that it is a national symbol, sign of 'sovereignty and independence, unit and integrity', as set out in Article Four of the Spanish Consitution.

A Consitution with which the Armed Forces, as well as the State Security Forces and Bodies and Inteligence Services are 'fully' identified. 'Their commitment to democratic values, together with that of the other national institutions has ben key to the achievement and maintenance of stability and safety in Spain', the King emphasised.

For her part, the Minister of Defence added that the Magna Carta 'has positioned the Armed Forces as main guarantors of the constitutional order, making the Defence policy a matter of State oriented to favour stability, progress and peace'.

Felipe VI hosted this act together with Queen Letizia. The ceremony was also attended by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, and the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, together with representatives of the military field, that included the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Francisco J. Varela, among others.

Beginning of the military year

The Official Military Holiday is the act the kick-starts the military year. Assessment of the previous year is made, stablishing the direction for the new year. In this regard, the Minister of Defence, Maragita Robles, claimed that these first months leading the department have helped her to get to know 'the spirit of the men and women who are part of the Armed Forces, the Civil Guard and the National Intelligence Centre, and how, inspired by the values set out in the Constitution, they guarantee freedom, justice, pluralism and solidarity, with a high level of training and professionality'.

The Minister also paid tribute to all those who gave their lives or were hurt while on duty, specially in the last year. She reminded that 2019 will be the 30th anniversary of the first participation of Spanish soldiers in Peacekeeping Operations.

Representatives of the King all over Spain

The Official Military Holiday, founded by the King Charles III to commemorate the recovery of the island of Menorca, was celebrated in many other places all over Spain where different chiefs represented the King.

Among other towns, it took place in Sevilla, where the Terrestrial General Headquarters is located, in La Coruña, home of the Operational Logistics Force, in Valencia, where the Terrestrial Headquarters of High Availability is, or in the Balearic Islands, where the celebration took place in two settings: the Palace of La Almudaina in Majorca and the Isabel II Fortress in Menorca. The 47th Infantry Regiment 'Palma' was transported by helicopter there.

These acts included a military parade and ceremonies to confer decorations to the awarded personnel.

The King's speech during the ceremony