The Association of Businesswomen of Lleida invited the monarch to the event, which quickly went viral due to an unexpected detail. Aware of the complex reception of the Royal House in Catalonia, King Felipe VI's wife opted for a gesture of conciliation, speaking a few phrases in Catalan.
Although she did not deliver a full speech in Catalan, Queen Letizia expressed her gratitude for the invitation in the language, a public occurrence not seen since 2008. The video shared by the Spanish Royal House showcases her fluency, generating curiosity and comments.
“"Moltes gràcies per haver-me convidat, per conèixer la gran feina que feu a Ap! Lleida i moltes gràcies també per organitzar aquesta reunió prèvia al lliurament de premis. Els temes que heu triat són ben interessants, així que quan vulguis Laia."
Reactions on social media have been varied. While monarchist sectors praised the gesture, many Catalans expressed skepticism or indifference. Comments such as “As if she speaks Chinese” or “Speaking Catalan in Catalonia shouldn't even be news” reflect the polarization of public opinion.
Other criticisms were harsher, labeling the queen's performance as “very good theater” or “what a shame.” Queen Letizia's initiative, despite being an attempt at rapprochement, seems to have primarily convinced her supporters, without achieving a significant change in the opinion of sectors more critical of the monarchy.
