The Monarchy · Welcome · An Unexpected Encounter

I had been living in Spain for only a few months when I learned that the Prince and Princess of Asturias would be visiting Teruel. Growing up in the United States, where royalty exists only in history books, the chance to see a European royal couple in person felt almost unimaginable.

I arrived early outside the Church of San Pedro, expecting large crowds. Instead, only a handful of people had gathered. Standing near the entrance, I found myself with an unobstructed view as the Prince and Princess arrived. To my surprise, I was close enough to photograph them from just a few feet away and, for a brief moment, shake hands with the future King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

As the visit continued toward Plaza del Torico, everything changed. Thousands of people filled the streets, balconies overflowed with spectators, and the city came alive with excitement. Yet it is those quiet moments outside the church that have stayed with me. Before the crowds, before the ceremony, there was an unexpected intimacy that made the experience feel all the more remarkable.

Looking back, these photographs have become more than a record of a royal visit. They remind me of one of my earliest experiences in Spain, when everything still felt new and every day seemed to hold another surprise. It was one of the first moments I realized how fortunate I was to be documenting life in a country that would soon become home.