Princess Leonor's Galician Speech Sparks Reactions on Social Media

The social network X was abuzz with messages on Monday morning following Princess Leonor's speech during the presentation of the Gold Medal of Galicia by President Alfonso Rueda of the Xunta de Galicia. The Princess of Asturias received this esteemed honor, regarded as the highest distinction awarded by the Galician government, in recognition of her presence in Galicia during her training months at the Naval School of Marín Pontevedra, which concluded on the 14th of this month. This occasion also led to her being recognized as an Adoptive Daughter of the Pontevedra locality by its mayor, María Pilar Ramallo Vázquez. What particularly caught the attention of many was that Princess Leonor delivered part of her thank-you speech in Galician, a gesture that garnered widespread praise on social media. In her speech, she expressed, "Today Galicia is a land of welcome and I can attest to that because I felt like a Galician myself." This sentiment stood out as notable, especially since she had not spoken Galician fluently in public before, relying more on simple greetings or expressions of gratitude in the past. The event coincided with recent headlines about political figures in Spain; notably, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. A few weeks ago, Ayuso made waves when she walked out of a Conference of Presidents after lehendakari Pradales began speaking in Basque, followed by Salvador Illa speaking in Catalan. Consequently, many on social media began speculating whether Ayuso would have left the room upon hearing Leonor speak in Galician. The juxtaposition of a youthful royal embracing the local language against the backdrop of a politician's language preferences raised discussions about cultural identity and representation in modern Spain. For many, Princess Leonor's initiative to communicate in Galician was seen as an act of unity and respect towards Galicia, while also drawing attention to the ongoing debates surrounding regional languages in the country. As social media platforms became a litmus test for public opinion, the reactions varied from applause for the princess's gesture to criticisms directed at Ayuso, highlighting a growing sensitivity to issues of language and identity in Spain. The day culminated in a blend of celebration for a royal honor and a reflection on the dynamics of language politics in the Spanish landscape. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2