05/22/2026
So, this happened on May 20, 2026: We shook hands with the King of Spain, His Majesty King Felipe VI, and saw him present a poetry prize to Margaret Atwood.
It was an amazing event, and we all felt very honoured to be included in such a prestigious and meaningful evening, representing the Canadian Company of Pilgrims We are deeply grateful to the Ambassador of Spain to Canada, His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, for including us.
Five members of the CCoP (and two from the Association du Quebec à Compostelle) had the distinct pleasure of being invited by Ambassador Martínez, to an exquisite evening of royalty, poetry readings, classical music, and delectable Spanish tapas that took place in Toronto at Victoria College on May 20, 2026.
The CCoP was represented by Judy Colombi, President; Austin Cooke, Embassy Liaison; Anne Ostrom and Nadia Marshy, Ottawa Chapter Co-Coordinators; and Wendy Loly, Past President. (Past President Lea Pennock is on Camino and was there in spirit.) Ron McClatchie, President, and Joanne M, Past President, represented the Association Du Québec à Compostelle
We gathered at Victoria College, Alumni Hall, about 70 Canadians, all with ties to Spain through the Canadian government, diplomacy, commerce, arts and culture, and gastronomy. First, we formed a line and, one by one, each had opportunity to shake the hand of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain. Ambassador Martínez stood beside him, announcing each one of us by name and our affiliation with the CCoP.
Then, in the Chapel, guests gathered in their respective groups around the room and Ambassador Martínez accompanied King Felipe VI as he made the rounds, stopping for a minute or two to chat warmly to each group. His Majesty was personable and warm, not to mention very tall, at 6 foot 5 inches.
Ambassador Martínez gave His Majesty a brief synopsis of the CCoP and ADCQ (no need for our elevator pitch). His Majesty recounted that he had walked a very small part of the Camino not too long ago and was in awe of pilgrims who walk long distances. Judy relayed how appreciative we all are of the Ambassador’s support for the CCoP. Like an excited schoolgirl, I flashed him my green fingernail polish, saying that while I wasn’t wearing green, I did have my nails painted green in his honour. People often show their support in the presence of the King by wearing green, because the expression Viva el Rei de España (long live the King of Spain) spells V-E-R-D-E, green.
At the last minute, I asked Ambassador Martínez if the King would mind returning to our group for a professional group photo. He very kindly arranged this for us. Our only regret is not having Ambassador Martínez in the photo with us! We hope to get a copy of that photo soon!
After that encounter, we walked across the grounds for more excitement at Burwash Dining Hall--the event to celebrate the third edition of the Joan Margarit Poetry Prize, conferred on Margaret Atwood in September 2025. King Felipe VI used his three-day visit to Canada to personally present the prize to Ms. Atwood. In her acceptance speech, entitled “Poetry in Hard Times”, Ms. Atwood recalled that in authoritarian regimes, poets have been among the first to be silenced, “because they could say what was forbidden, and say it convincingly, and that is threatening to autocrats.”
Again, it was such an honour to be included in such a wonderful event, and we are so very grateful to Ambassador Martínez for the invitation. King Felipe VI was aware that Ambassador Martínez would soon be. We asked him if he could make sure that he is replaced by someone else as wonderful as he is. The King made no promises.
All photos: Nadia Marshy
Nadia Marshy
