The Princess of Asturias Awards 2026 ceremony ended this Friday in Oviedo shortly before 8:00 PM, after an event marked by calls for unity and harmony and by the presence, outside, of a protest for the right to housing.
The event, held at the Campoamor Theater and presided over by Princess Leonor, also featured the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as Infanta Sofía. The ceremony began at 6:25 PM and closed this year's edition with the formal call for the 2027 awards.
A Campoamor with institutional discourse and Leonor's prominence
After the performance of the Anthem of Asturias by the Royal Bagpipe Band City of Oviedo, the award winners descended from the stage and headed to the central door. Leonor then called for the Princess of Asturias Awards 2027, in an edition in which she has gained more weight on the public stage.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation, organizer of the ceremony, recalled the framework of these awards, intended to distinguish scientific, technical, cultural, social, and humanitarian work in eight categories: Arts, Letters, Social Sciences, Communication and Humanities, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, Concord, and Sports.
The institution emphasizes that this is its main activity and that its aims include the promotion of scientific, cultural, and humanistic values of universal scope, in addition to strengthening the ties between the Principality of Asturias and the title held by the heirs to the Crown. Felipe VI has been honorary president of the Foundation since its creation in 1980; after his proclamation as King of Spain on June 19, 2014, the Princess of Asturias has assumed the honorary presidency.
Speeches of unity, references to Europe, and a message to young people
Among the award winners who took the stage were representatives of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, recognized with the International Cooperation Award 2026: Krol Andersen, executive director of NordGen; Nils Kristen Sandtroen, Minister of Agriculture and Food of Norway; and Stefan Schmitz, executive director of Crop Trust.
Timothy Garton Ash, for Social Sciences; Kenichi Yoda, for Communication and Humanities; Patti Smith, for Arts; David Klenerman, Shankar Balasubramanian and Pascal Mayer, for Scientific and Technical Research; Leo Messi, for Sports; Julian Barnes, for Literature; and Christina Koch, for Concord, have also received their distinctions.
Julian Barnes, Christina Koch, Timothy Garton Ash and Patti Smith have delivered the main speeches, with messages of hope and unity in the face of current problems. Patti Smith closed her speech by singing "Wing" a cappella, a song included in her album "Gone Again", after defending the strength of citizenship and people's ability to transform the world.
Garton Ash, for his part, has asked Europe for a response based on the combination of diversity and unity and has explained that success requires both individual talent and teamwork. Christina Koch has appealed to the values of integrity and unity and has encouraged global citizens to define, with their daily actions, the type of society in which they want to live.
Julian Barnes has questioned the idea of a linear evolution of the arts and has defended creation as a conversation between authors from different eras. Meanwhile, Leo Messi has received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports for his career and his solidarity work, especially for his commitment to access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children.
Princess Leonor also took the floor to convey a message of hope in a context of "uncertainty" and "chaos", and pointed out the "disillusionment" and "lack of expectations" that, she said, many young people perceive when thinking about their future, employment or housing. Felipe VI, in turn, appealed to the spirit of the Transition and the "vision" of its protagonists to demand a "daily commitment" to democracy and coexistence.
Patti Smith vindicates unity and sings a cappella before the Kings
The American singer and writer has turned her speech into a vindication of gratitude, friendship and commitment to new generations. Smith has shared the recognition with the rest of the award winners and has highlighted that their careers contribute to improving people's well-being, protecting the environment, defending human rights and fostering intellectual curiosity.
Close to turning 80, the artist has presented the award as an incentive to continue working and evolving, finding new ways to help and offer "hope and stability to new generations". She also thanked the Foundation for the opportunities it has given her to meet and perform for young people during her stay in Asturias.
"I believe that everything we dream of can come true through our attitude of unity. We are the world around us. We can be the revolution of the Earth," she proclaimed before closing her speech with an a cappella rendition of "Wing." The song, linked to her late husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith, included a nod to Spain in its verses about flying over the ocean and the country and feeling free. Her performance was one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony.
Leo Messi, protagonist inside and outside the Campoamor
The presence of Leo Messi has been one of the main focuses of attention of this edition. The Argentine footballer has come to Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, which recognizes both his exceptional career and his solidarity commitment to children.
Before the ceremony, Messi participated in the reception for the award winners at the Hotel de la Reconquista, where Princess Leonor received them for the first time alone. The footballer, who arrived accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, was one of the protagonists of this institutional meeting.
During his stay in Asturias, Messi also held a meeting with thousands of people at the Palacio de los Deportes de Oviedo, where he shared advice with young people and encouraged them to trust the process, work to achieve their goals and persevere on the path. His presence added a sporting and popular component to an edition marked by the diversity of recognized disciplines and trajectories.
The housing protest remained outside the theater
The ceremony has coincided, as in other years, with a protest outside. This time, the protagonists were members of the encampment in the Plaza de la Escandalera, who demanded the right to housing while authorities, guests, and award winners entered.
The protesters chanted slogans such as "One eviction, another occupation," "neither houses without people, nor people without houses," or "Leonor, get to work," in addition to proclamations against the monarchy and in favor of the republic. Palestinian and Republic flags were seen at the concentration, while the event inside the Campoamor continued its course until the official closing of the ceremony.