On Friday, 15th August, the Marian Villa of Candelaria hosted the events in honour of the Patroness of the Canary Islands. The day began outside the Town Hall with the arrival of the representative of His Majesty the King, accompanied by the Mayor of Candelaria, María Concepción Brito, who was received by the lieutenant general in charge of the Canary Command, Julio Salom.
Among the authorities present were the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, along with other civil and military representatives.
The military ceremony began with the rendering of honours to the royal representative, conducted by a Honours Unit comprising a squad of honour guards from the Naval Command of the Canary Islands, the Music Unit of the Canary Command, the War Band No. 2 of the “Canarias” XVI Brigade, sections from the Infantry Regiment “Tenerife” No. 49 and the Field Artillery Regiment No. 93, and a section from the XVI Sappers Battalion. Following the rendering of honours, the royal representative conducted an inspection of the troops, accompanied by Lieutenant General Salom and Captain Gutiérrez, head of the Honours Unit.
After greeting the authorities, the military parade took place. Subsequently, attendees moved inside the Basilica, where the Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Eloy Alberto Santiago, presided over the mass.
When the religious service concluded, the Patroness of the Canary Islands processed around the plaza of the Basilica, escorted by a squad of honour guards in period uniforms and accompanied by the authorities and numerous faithful.
