Madrid
Madrid looks back 200 years
By h.b.
Feb 13, 2008 - 1:00 PM

Madrid went back to 1808 today as the Prince and Princess of Asturias presided over a parade of soldiers from five countries dressed in costumes of the time, in the Plaza de Oriente.

The event was to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of Independence, in tribute to those who lost their lives in the fighting with the Napoleonic troops.

Soldiers from Spain, Poland, Portugal, France and Great Britain took part in the event, which was also attended by the Spanish, Polish and Portuguese Defence Ministers.

Also present was the Spanish Army Chief, Félix Sanz, and the Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, although the regional President, Esperanza Aguirre, was not in attendance. She preferred to be campaigning with PP leader, Mariano Rajoy.