National
Spanish royals in Bilbao for Spanish Cancer Association Awards
By m.p.
Sep 26, 2007 - 10:59 PM

The Prince and Princess of Asturias had a mixed reception when they arrived at the Deusto University in Bilbao early on Wednesday evening for the Spanish Cancer Association Awards, the annual awards for cancer research.

There were cheers from a small crowd of 50 people waiting outside the campus as the royal couple were greeted by the Basque government’s health councillor, Gabriel Inclán, the Mayor of Bilbao, Iñaki Azkuna, and the rector of Deusto University, Jaime Oráa.

Another group of Basque separatists were also there, and unfurled a banner with the words ‘Independence. Monarchy out.’

The heir to the Spanish throne and Doña Letizia started their visit to the Basque Country on Wednesday morning in Vitoria, for the inauguration ceremony for the new headquarters of the building society, the Caja Vital Kutxa, in Salburua.

The President of the Basque government, Juan José Ibarretxe, was also there for the opening.