Royal Family Completes Final Stage of Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
Santiago de Compostela, Spain – April 19, 2025
The Spanish Royal Family has completed the final stage of the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, arriving at the revered Santiago de Compostela Cathedral on Saturday afternoon to a crowd of cheering pilgrims, locals, and international visitors.
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, took part in the last leg of the ancient pilgrimage, walking the final 20 kilometers from O Pedrouzo to the cathedral, a symbolic gesture of devotion and unity. Clad in casual hiking gear and accompanied by minimal security, the royal family mingled with fellow pilgrims along the route, pausing to greet well-wishers and take in the scenic Galician landscape.
Upon arrival in Santiago, they were greeted by Archbishop Julián Barrio and participated in the traditional Pilgrim’s Mass at the cathedral. During the ceremony, King Felipe offered a brief address, expressing his family’s admiration for the Camino’s history and its significance as a symbol of “perseverance, reflection, and shared purpose.”
“This journey has reminded us of the strength found in simplicity, and the importance of walking together,” he said. “The Camino is more than a path; it is a bridge between cultures, a living tradition that continues to inspire and unite.”
The royal family’s participation in the pilgrimage was kept largely private in the early stages, though reports emerged earlier in the week that they had begun walking sections of the Camino Francés, the most popular route of the pilgrimage that stretches nearly 800 kilometers from the French border to Santiago de Compostela. The decision to take part in the pilgrimage was reportedly made by the King earlier this year, inspired by the increasing number of young people and international travelers embracing the Camino as a spiritual and cultural journey.
Local officials praised the royal family’s gesture, saying it shines a global spotlight on both the historical importance of the Camino and the region of Galicia. “Their presence brings renewed attention to the beauty and significance of the Camino de Santiago,” said Mayor Goretti Sanmartín. “It is a proud moment for Santiago and for all pilgrims around the world.”
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, has been followed by millions for over a thousand years. It culminates at the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great, whose remains are believed to rest in the cathedral that bears his name.
For the royals, the journey may have ended, but the message they carried — of unity, humility, and tradition — continues to echo along the ancient path.
