King Felipe VI urges strengthening Europe's "hard power" in defense during the Charlemagne Prize award to Von der Leyen

In a speech that combined diplomacy, strategy, and warning, King Felipe VI of Spain urged the European Union on Monday to “develop its hard power” in the field of defense, during the ceremony to award the prestigious Charlemagne Prize to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The ceremony took place in the historic German city of Aachen, the birthplace of the Holy Roman Empire and a symbol of European unity, at a particularly delicate moment for the continent's geopolitics.

“Europe must fully assume its responsibility for defense. Peace, security, and freedom cannot continue to depend on others,” declared the Spanish monarch, implicitly referring to the growing distancing of the United States within NATO.

Defense, Unity, and European Leadership
Philip VI argued that, while Europe has traditionally been a beacon of soft power—values, diplomacy, cooperation—it now faces a new era of hybrid threats, conventional wars, and strategic tensions, which demand a more robust and autonomous response.

Laureate Von der Leyen expressed her gratitude for the award and pledged to continue working for a “strong, united, and secure” Europe.

What is the Charlemagne Prize?
The International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen is awarded annually to individuals or institutions that have significantly contributed to European unity. In previous editions, it has been awarded to figures such as Pope John Paul II, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and Felipe VI himself.

Von der Leyen's selection in this edition recognizes her key role during the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and her drive for a more strategic and sovereign Europe.