The Kings Felipe VI and Letizia, accompanied by Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, have concluded this Thursday their first day in Oviedo on the occasion of the Princess of Asturias Awards 2026. The Royal Family attended the traditional concert prior to the award ceremony and, upon their exit, received applause and displays of affection from the citizens gathered at the doors of the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium.
The joint appearance of Felipe VI, Letizia, Leonor, and Sofía has been one of the highlights of this first day, which paves the way for the institutional events scheduled for this Friday at the Campoamor Theatre.
A night of music before the award ceremony
The XXXIV Princess of Asturias Awards Concert, which began at 19:00 hours, was dedicated to the German composer Felix Mendelssohn and featured the participation of the Symphony Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias and the Choir of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, under the direction of Nuno Coelho.
The musical program included a selection from the composer's second symphony, Lobgesang (Song of Praise), with the participation of sopranos Sylvia Schwartz and Pilar Alva-Martín and tenor Santiago Ballerini.
The event is one of the traditions that accompany the awards each year and precedes the official ceremony, which will bring together this Friday the Royal Family, the awardees, and representatives from different fields of culture, science, and society.
Leonor will receive the awardees for the first time alone
The agenda will continue this Friday, October 23, with one of the most significant moments for the heir to the throne. Princess Leonor will receive for the first time alone the awardees of the Princess of Asturias Awards, in an audience scheduled for 12:30 hours at the Hotel de la Reconquista in Oviedo.
During the morning, other institutional receptions will also be held before the award ceremony, which will begin at 18:30 hours at the Campoamor Theatre.
The Kings, Leonor, and Sofía will preside over the central act of this edition, in which the speeches of the Princess of Asturias and Felipe VI are scheduled.
The visit of the Royal Family to the Principality will conclude on Saturday with the delivery of the Award for Exemplary People of Asturias 2026 in Llanes, the last appointment of a three-event agenda.