Influencer Controversy Surrounds Spain's 40th Anniversary in the EU

On June 12th, a solemn ceremony was held at the Royal Palace to mark the 40th anniversary of Spain's accession to the European Union, attended by King Felipe VI, President Pedro Sánchez, and other state officials. The event was meant to reflect the significance of 40 years of European integration for Spain. However, what should have been a dignified institutional ceremony has been overshadowed by a controversy due to a potential protocol error, as it emerged that the Royal Household may have sent the invitation intended for influencer Patricia Fernández, a cultural advocate specializing in human rights and European issues, to another content creator with the same name.

Patricia Fernández Arroyo, who boasts over two million followers on Instagram, attended the event. The lifestyle content creator defended her presence at the event, stating, "I was invited by the Royal Household with full legitimacy, as the invitation was addressed to my email and in my name. Given such an honour, and considering the magnitude of the invitation, I attended with great pride, enjoyed the event, recorded, chatted with His Majesty the King, and expressed my gratitude for being included," she said.

"As far as I know, I am an influencer and advocate, having created content for Europe on sustainability, and I was born in 1985, the same year Spain signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities," she argued. "Faced with this awkward situation, I have also verified with the Royal Household, and what has been communicated to me is that my invitation was correct," she concluded.

Meanwhile, the cultural advocate, who hosts a podcast on the European Union, was taken aback to learn that the invitation was meant for her. In fact, she confirmed that the Royal Household acknowledged the mix-up. "This morning, I was able to confirm with the event organizers that, indeed, there was an error in the invitations, and another person ended up attending," she revealed, later adding that "I thought the matter would be resolved with all the information the organizers provided me. Given the latest updates, the matter is in the hands of those responsible, and the necessary explanations will be given."

To add to the confusion, a third Patricia Fernández has been brought into the matter. Television collaborator Maya Pixelskaya pointed out that another Patricia Fernández could have been the original invitee. This is Patricia Fernández Vicens, a lawyer and 2022 National Human Rights Award recipient for her work in childhood, social exclusion, and migration, who has chosen not to comment on the matter. For now, the true intended recipient of the Royal Household's invitation remains a mystery.