The official celebrations in Madrid today have been cut back due to the economic crises with spending this year estimated to be €900,000 compared to last year’s figure of €2.8 million.
The military parade will involve around 2,600 members of the armed forces but there will be no parade of tanks and other armoured vehicles or aircraft. There will still, however, be an aerial display over Madrid by the Águila aerobatics team with the sky lit up with the colours of the national flag.
The celebrations will end with a banquet at the Royal Palace hosted by don Juan Carlos and doña Sofía.
Amongst the absentees from this year’s celebrations in the capital will be the Catalan president Artur Mas and the presidents of Andalucía, Comunidad Valenciana, Galicia, País Vasco, Baleares, La Rioja, Cantabria and Melilla.