Khaberni - The Spanish monarch King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia announced the royal palace's budget for 2026, revealing a 1.5% increase in their salaries.
According to the Spanish site "Vanitatis", details of the crown's budget were published this week, confirming the improvement in the financial situation of the royal palace, known as "La Zarzuela," for the new year.
This increase comes in the context of the framework agreement announced in mid-January between the Spanish government and unions to improve conditions for public sector employees and the services provided to citizens.
The agreement stipulates a 1.5% salary increase for public employees, which also reflected on the allowances for the Spanish monarch and his wife, according to the French magazine "Gala".
According to the new figures, King Felipe VI will receive 290,000 euros in 2026, compared to 285,689.40 euros in 2025. Meanwhile, Queen Letizia's allocation will rise to 160,000 euros, an increase of about 3,000 euros from the previous year.
Since assuming the throne following his father Juan Carlos I, King Felipe VI has pledged to enhance financial transparency within the royal institution, especially after controversies that shook the image of the royal family in Spain.
Since then, the royal palace has regularly published its annual budget during January or February, in a step aimed at establishing trust with the public.
Despite the increase, reports indicate that the royal family has become more conservative with their expenses. According to "Vanitatis," it has been noticed in recent official appearances that Queen Letizia, known for her fine taste and interest in fashion, re-wears clothes she has previously been seen in, or chooses reasonably priced outfits instead of new luxury ones.
This approach is seen as an implicit message reflecting the spirit of austerity and moderation, amid challenging economic conditions in Spain and Europe.
The salary increase for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia for 2026 reflects an automatic application of a governmental decision covering public sector employees in Spain, more than representing an exceptional privilege.
At the same time, the royal palace continues the transparency approach it adopted more than a decade ago, in an attempt to maintain citizens' trust and enhance the image of the royal institution in Spanish public life.
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