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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia preside over the military parade
By h.b. - Oct 13, 2008 - 6:51 AM

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The royal couple took the salute in what was a smaller display than normal.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, together with the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, presided over the military parade on the Day of the Armed Forces yesterday.

Also in attendance was the leader of the Partido Popular, Mariano Rajoy, who described the parade the previous day as a ‘coñazo’ – ‘pain in the arse’ – speaking without realising that a microphone was open and tape recorders were running. He later apologised for his comments.

More than 4,600 soldiers took part in yesterday’s parade in the Plaza de Colón in Madrid, with the flags from 13 countries represented, including the United States.

The Prince and Princess of Asturias were also in attendance and the Minister for Defence, Carme Chacón greeted the several Spanish missions abroad by video.

The flypast was on a smaller scale this year, because of the meteorological conditions, with no helicopters or transport planes, or parachutists making their normal jump into the square.