Queen Sofía visits New Orleans to honor Spanish-American historical ties

Queen Sofía has concluded her visit to New Orleans, which focused on exploring the historical ties between Spain and the United States ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence. During her trip, she inaugurated the III 'America&Spain250' symposium at St. Louis Cathedral, an event organized by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Queen Sofía Foundation, and the Ramón Areces Foundation.

In recognition of her philanthropic work, the Queen received the keys to the city from New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. Her itinerary included visiting the Cabildo Museum to view historical artifacts, such as the uniforms of Bernardo de Gálvez, and meeting with the descendants of Agnes Deváux, an enslaved woman liberated through a document signed by Gálvez in the 18th century.

The visit concluded with an emotional meeting with the “Isleños,” the descendants of Canary Islanders who migrated to Louisiana between 1778 and 1783 to bolster the region's defense under Spanish rule. Representing approximately 35 families, the community welcomed the Queen in traditional Canarian attire, honoring the shared heritage and the strategic role the Mississippi Delta played during the Spanish era.