Despite concerns from Africa’s richest king, Spanish monarch King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia touch down in a disputed enclave

The current sovereign monarch of Spain, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, recently visited the disputed region of Ceuta, following the massive migration crisis in the enclave that made headlines.

• King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited Ceuta after a major migration crisis to reaffirm Spain's control over the region.
• This was the first royal visit to Ceuta in 14 years, echoing a similar visit in 2007 following diplomatic tensions with Morocco.
• During the visit, the king emphasized that Ceuta and Melilla are integral to Spain and that the country's sovereignty is non-negotiable.
• King Mohammed VI of Morocco argued that current cooperation with Spain on migration is insufficient and criticized Spanish laws complicating the return of migrants.

The visit, which is intended to reaffirm Spain’s control of the region, marks the first in 14 years for the Spanish royal couple.

The last time a royal visit occurred in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla was in 2007, and similar to the current trip, it came off the heels of a diplomatic issue with Morocco.

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During his visit, the Spanish king noted that the relationship between Spain and Morocco must remain founded on respect and adhere “to the principle that Ceuta is Spain; Ceuta is Europe."

He followed up by stating that "Ceuta and Melilla are an inalienable part of the political and national reality that is Spain. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country are not negotiable."

As seen on France24, Felipe and Letizia, who were met with a sizable, welcoming crowd, engaged with them, shaking hands and conversing with the well-wishers.

Spectators raised their mobile devices to photograph the royal couple, while others wore attire emblazoned with the statement "Ceuta is not for sale. Ceuta must be defended".

Prior to this visit, Africa’s richest monarch, King Mohammed VI, challenged Spain’s approach to migration, declaring that bilateral cooperation has reached its limits.

The Moroccan king noted that his country’s efforts to curb irregular migration had produced tangible results, but argued that the existing cooperation model with Spain was no longer sufficient to address recurring crises.

Speaking to parliament on Friday, Mohammed VI took aim at Spanish laws and court rulings that he said were making cooperation between the two countries more difficult.

He singled out efforts to return unaccompanied minors and people whose asylum claims Morocco considers unjustified.

The king also made it clear that Morocco would not accept pressure or threats in its dealings with Spain, insisting that the partnership between the two countries must remain a matter of sovereign choice.

The Ceuta migration crisis 2026

Late in July, a mass migration saw tens of thousands of migrants enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta by land and sea within 24 hours.

Local authorities also reported that between 300 and 400 people had crossed into neighbouring Melilla, another Spanish territory on Morocco’s northern coast.

The two enclaves are the European Union’s only land borders with Africa and have long served as entry points for migrants hoping to reach Europe.

By August, Spanish authorities estimated that around 73,000 people had entered Ceuta during the wave of crossings that began on July 30.

Many were Moroccan nationals, while others came from sub-Saharan African countries facing conflict and economic hardship.

Dozens of people died trying to reach the enclave, with the reported toll changing as more bodies were recovered and identified.

The influx soon added to tensions between Madrid and Rabat, particularly over the status of Ceuta and Melilla.

Morocco regards the territories as remnants of European colonial rule, while Spain maintains that both are integral parts of its territory.

Weeks earlier, Spain’s Supreme Court had ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be returned to Morocco without following the required legal procedures.