Spanish royals make sensitive official visit to sensitive Ceuta enclave

Just two days before an important visit, Spanish authorities were working to clear the last major migrant encampment in Ceuta, making way for the Spanish North African enclave to welcome King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia Tuesday, a historic first for the Spanish monarchs. It's only natural that they've come. It's a way of defending Spanish sovereignty. We don't mind that they're late. The important thing is that they're here. We're eager and very pleased that they've finally arrived. Their trip comes a little more than two months after more than 70,000 migrants paid an unwelcome visit to the city, crossing over from neighbouring Morocco and causing an unprecedented crisis amidst a long-standing dispute. Thank you very much for your uncompromising defence of the European nature of our borders and the need to ensure their security. Morocco claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Spain's other North African territory of Melilla. On Tuesday, the king highlighted the importance of maintaining good relations with Rabat, but made one thing clear. Ceuta and Melilla are an inalienable part of Spain's political and national reality. Our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. They are indisputable. The crisis has angered locals and others across the country and damaged Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ahead of a snap November election. The majority of migrants have returned to Morocco, but thousands still remain. The king and queen also took time to pay their respects to people who died during the crossing at a local Muslim cemetery. They also stopped by this school, meant to represent the coexistence and diversity in Ceuta. The royal couple will visit Melilla Wednesday.