Spanish royals make sensitive visit to crisis-hit Ceuta

Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia embarked on a diplomatic mission to Ceuta on Tuesday, aimed at providing support to the city grappling with a severe crisis since July's migrant influx from Morocco. The royal visit, marking the first since 2007, will be a significant diplomatic gesture following a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco over Ceuta's sovereignty.

Over 70,000 migrants, primarily from Morocco, streamed into Ceuta on July 30-31, causing widespread distress and fatalities. Despite most migrants returning soon after, thousands have remained in dire circumstances, including sleeping on the streets or the beach. The crisis has intensified tensions between Spain and Morocco, with local residents fearing for the future of the Spanish territories.

The visit is expected to send a clear message to Morocco that Ceuta remains part of Spain, although some residents advocate for earlier intervention from the king. The royals are scheduled to pay tribute at a migrant cemetery and deliver a speech at a meeting with local civil society members before concluding their trip to Melilla on Wednesday.