King Felipe of Spain was admitted to hospital for an operation this weekend, it has emerged. The Spanish monarch was forced to stay overnight at a clinic in Oviedo after undergoing surgery on his left eye.
Felipe underwent a half-hour procedure to treat a cataract at the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute. He was later pictured leaving the clinic on Sunday morning, his eyes concealed behind dark sunglasses, before being whisked away in a waiting car to return to Madrid, as per the Spanish magazine, Hola!.
Doctor confirms successful procedure
Dr Luis Fernández-Vega, the specialist who performed the king's surgery, issued a statement to the press outside the clinic. Speaking to Spain’s RTVE 24 Horas news channel, the doctor insisted the procedure was successful and claimed the King’s recovery would be "quick".
Explaining the concerning overnight stay for a typically routine half-hour procedure, Dr Fernández-Vega revealed the surgery took place late on Saturday afternoon following the monarch's packed schedule.
"Since we finished late, he stayed overnight here rather than going to a hotel," the doctor said, adding that Felipe will now need to use eye drops for several days and must strictly avoid any strenuous activity.
He added: "He'll wear sunglasses for protection and as a reminder that he recently had surgery, but nothing more. His vision will improve."
Queen Letizia's fall at royal engagement
The latest news came just hours after Queen Letizia made headlines after suffering a fall during a royal engagement on Saturday.
The Spanish royal was left decidedly red-faced as she joined her husband and their two daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, for a breezy outing in the coastal town of Llanes.
Letizia and her family were out in full force to present the prestigious 2026 Exemplary Town Award to the Santa Ana Fishermen's Guild. As part of the celebrations, the family embarked on a brief tour of a local fishing vessel—but the maritime excursion quickly took an unexpected turn.
In footage of the engagement, the 54-year-old Queen was seen suddenly losing her footing, slipping over and hitting the deck of the boat. Aides rushed to her side to offer assistance, but the Spanish queen swiftly brushed herself off and managed to get back onto her feet entirely unaided.
