Moroccan media criticized Princess Leonor’s presence in Ceuta: They called Ceuta an “occupied city” and stated that the Princess’s visit was a sign of the colonialism of the Spanish throne. JUNE 2025.

On June 21, 2025, the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I and the frigate Blas de Lezo made a routine technical stop in the port of Ceuta (the Princess of Asturias was aboard the Blas de Lezo, serving her military service). While both ships were refueling, students from the Naval Military Academy were able to tour the city of Ceuta. Princess Leonor's group attended the Legionary Saturday (a small but traditional military event), and she also met with the Mayor of Ceuta.

The Spanish Socialist government prohibited official media coverage of either event (to avoid "angering" Morocco), but the excited residents of Ceuta nevertheless recorded videos and took several photographs showing Princess Leonor greeting other Spanish soldiers.

As expected, Moroccan digital media once again asserted that Ceuta is an "occupied city" by Spain, and also claimed that Ceuta and Melilla are "colonies of the Spanish throne."

"The Spanish throne does not forget its colonies," "Madrid is sending a message to Rabat with military overtones" (deliberately ignoring the fact that it is common for the Spanish Navy to make technical stops in the port of Ceuta, because it is a Spanish port), "Madrid was trying to hide the 'occupation' of Ceuta with smiles," were some of the statements made by Moroccan digital media outlets such as Bladna24 and Kawalisrif.

• They also referred to the barracks of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (Duque de Alba) as a "colonial museum."