Felipe VI, in the presentation of the Royal Collections Gallery: "We have very deep roots"

“This magnificent space builds bridges between the past, the present and the future to know where we come from, knowing that we have very deep roots and an exciting history, with a common fit in Europe and in the world”. Explicit appeal by King Felipe to unity around the Monarchy at the inauguration of the Royal Collections Gallery. A first message after the elections, which leave a scenario where the independentistas could mark the Government. This controversy will be the center of attention in the coming weeks after an election that forced the postponement, also with controversy, of the official ribbon-cutting in the new museum.

It all started on May 10, almost three weeks before the 23-J elections were called. That day a statement was released explaining that the Kings would inaugurate that cultural center of reference on June 28. But on May 28, the municipal and regional polls were opened, and the results led to a premature call for the general elections, something that also modified the solemn opening. It was June 6 when a new date was chosen for the monarchs to be the ones to take center stage: July 25.

The change of day was justified because the electoral law, in its article 50.4., prevents “any act of inauguration of public works or services or their projects, regardless of the name used, without prejudice to the fact that said works or services can come into operation in said period” from the call of the general meetings -May 29- until its celebration -July 23-. However, with the exception of the official ration, the calendar followed its original course. For this reason, for example, on June 29 the Gallery offered four open days.

But the controversy arose because on July 3, despite canceling the official opening with the King and Queen, Pedro Sánchez used the same Gallery as the venue for the first meeting of the College of Commissioners within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.. In other words, Sánchez was the first president to inaugurate the royal collection. The main reason for the Government to choose this location to house the meeting would be, as National Heritage explains, that it was “a unique opportunity for Europe to get to know the new museum”.