Felipe VI has underlined this Friday, at the closing of the third State tribute to the victims of the covid, the need for the lessons learned during the pandemic to be a "guide for the future", and in this context he has defended that it is the time to "strengthen everything that the pandemic revealed as relevant and urgent: investment in science, international cooperation, care for the elderly, citizen solidarity or the strength of health systems".
The tribute to the victims of the covid, presided over by the King and Queen and with the assistance of representatives of the powers of the State and regional presidents, has started at 9 in the morning, in the Courtyard of the Armory of the Royal Palace, in Madrid, the same place where a similar act was carried out last year.
In his speech, the King highlighted and thanked the work of health professionals and scientists during the pandemic. "We will always preserve as a legacy for our country those difficult times and those who are not with us today. We will honor the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives to save those of others", assured the Head of State, while has insisted on the need to offer "at the same time confidence in the future".
In addition to the King and Queen, the ceremony, under the motto "An applause for the memory", has brought together the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, all the ministers, the powers of the State, a dozen regional presidents, the leader of PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and representatives of the parties, with the exception of Vox, which has refused to participate in the act. Among the around 300 guests, there have also been representatives from the world of health and science, as well as relatives of victims.
The Kings have delivered four Grand Crosses to relatives of deceased health personnel, representing all those who have lost their lives fighting the pandemic. After the floral offering in the cauldron located in the center of the Armory Courtyard and a minute of silence, the King took the floor to express his memory for all the deceased, of whom he assured that "nothing can repair the pain of your absence". Felipe VI has also highlighted that Spain is a "just and supportive" country and has been convinced that "the imprint" of the nearly 109,000 people who have died since the pandemic broke out in March 2020 will never be erased.
