Queen Letizia suffered a fall this Saturday in the port of Llanes, during the visit of the Royal Family to the Santa Ana Fishermen's Brotherhood, distinguished as Exemplary Town of Asturias 2026. The incident occurred aboard a fishing boat and did not prevent her from continuing with the visit.
The Queen slipped on the deck of the Nuevo Sandra María, got up shortly after, and continued walking normally. That is the sequence recorded in the information published about the incident, which took place while she was accompanying Felipe VI, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía. (eldebate.com)
Dado el estado de la mar de ayer y de esta mañana no estaba claro que la Familia Real pudiera embarcar, pero lo ha hecho 🚤. Los cuatro han subido a bordo de la embarcación Nuevo Sandra María, propiedad del armador y patrón mayor de la cofradía. Ha sido al salir de la cabina, cuando la reina Letizia ha resbalado y ha sufrido una caída. La infanta Sofía le ha ayudado y preguntado si está bien. Los pescadores de la zona han explicado que aunque el mar parezca tranquilo, hay oleaje 🌊 de fondo y el barco se estaba moviendo mucho más de lo que parecía. Mucho más en https://t.co/40lynEiyrK 🖇️ #ReinaLetizia #caida #PuebloEjemplar2026
— Revista ¡HOLA! (@hola) October 24, 2026
Where Letizia fell during the visit to Llanes
The stumble occurred on the boat moored in the port, as the Queen was about to disembark. After the fall, she received help to get up.
The Royal Family had boarded the fishing boat to closely learn about the work of the local fleet. The official archive of the Royal House identifies the vessel as Nuevo Sandra María and notes that it belongs to the master fisherman. The photographs document the presence of the four family members on board.
The relevant information about the outcome is that Letizia was able to continue with the program. The continuity of the tour allows describing what happened without attributing injuries, diagnoses, or medical attention that those sources do not document.
Why the Kings and their daughters were on a fishing boat
The visit was in response to the recognition granted to the Cofradía de Pescadores Santa Ana. In this edition, the Award for Exemplary People distinguishes that group from Llanes, with its professional, social, and cultural activity.
The tour brought the Kings and their daughters closer to different expressions of that tradition. The graphic agenda of the Royal House includes the visit to the chapel of Santa Ana, the representation of a maritime dance, the meeting with crews and shipowners, and the stop at the fish market, where they participated in a fish auction.
The fishing boat was part of that approach to the profession. The day allowed learning about both the activity at sea and the work and customs that surround it on land.
A brotherhood with roots in the 14th century
The Princess of Asturias Foundation places the origins of the entity in the Cofradía de Mareantes de San Nicolás, established around 1350. For centuries, its activity combined fishing with support functions for the sick, widows, orphans, and sailors.
This history also includes women who worked as net makers and sellers. The brotherhood today maintains outreach initiatives about maritime culture and the care of the sea, in addition to gastronomic and cultural activities.
The incident did not interrupt the recognition of the fishermen
The fall occurred on a day whose central event was the award presentation to the master fisherman, Ángel Batalla. Leonor focused on the effort of the fishing sector and its challenges, including the continuity of the profession between generations.
The incident of Letizia was integrated into a visit that continued. The development of the events maintained the recognition of the fishing community of Llanes as the central reason of the program.