Prince Joachim of Belgium has apologised for attending a party in Spain last Tuesday, admitting that he ‘deeply regrets his actions’.
The 28-year-old nephew of King Philippe of Belgium and ninth in line to the throne, attended the bash on Tuesday in a private house in the city of Cordoba.
Just days after attending the private party with his Spanish girlfriend, which breached social distancing rules, he was diagnosed with coronavirus.
The prince, 28, had arrived in Madrid two days earlier for a business trip but then took a high-speed train to Cordoba, where his long-term girlfriend Victoria Ortiz grew up. In total, he travelled 1,050 miles from Belgium to Cordoba.
Prince Joachim of Belgium has apologised for attending a party in Spain last Tuesday, admitting that he ‘deeply regrets his actions’ (he is seen in 2011)
Speaking in a statement to People, he said: ‘I would like to apologise for travelling and not having respected the quarantine measure.
‘I did not intend to offend or disrespect anyone in these very difficult times and deeply regret my actions and accept the consequences, the royal concluded.
According to Spanish news outlet El Pais, 27 people attended the private party, which is nearly double the number of people (15) currently allowed to congregate under one roof in the Andalusian city.
The same news organisation says the Belgian Royal Household confirmed that Prince Joachim attended the party.
Prince Joachim of Belgium (pictured middle with father Prince Lorenz and sister Princess Luise Maria in 2017) was diagnosed with coronavirus a few days after attending a private party which broke lockdown rules in Cordoba, Spain
The prince, 28, travelled to Madrid on a business trip on Sunday but then took a high-speed train to Cordoba (pictured) on Tuesday a week ago
All the guests who attended the party are now in quarantine, while it is not clear whether the prince contracted the virus at the party or whether he already had the virus beforehand.
Prince Laurent of Belgium, another of Joachim’s uncles, confirmed the virus has been contracted by at least one member of his family.
He said: ‘We do not know how, but the coronavirus has entered our household.’
‘For weeks now, we have hardly gone out – only to shop and for sports.’
The party has been branded as ‘completely irresponsible’ by Spanish authorities, with police in the country investigating the party.
In Cordoba (pictured) there is a regional social limit of just 15 people under one roof. The party was attended by 27 guests, all of whom are now in quarantine
Those found guilty of breaking lockdown restrictions could face fines of between 600 and 10,000 euros.
Speaking about the party, Rafaela Valenzuela, the Spanish government’s sub-delegate in Cordoba, said: ‘I feel surprised and indignant, given that at a moment of national mourning for so many dead, an incident of this type stands out.
‘It’s completely irresponsible, because that number of people multiplied could cause an outbreak, and that would mean that Córdoba, after passing to Phase 2, would have to take a step back.
‘That is unforgivable. The police are investigating not just the observance of confinement measures, but also the breaking of other rules, given that we are still under a state of alarm. The virus is still out there.’
The prince, 28, had arrived in Madrid two days earlier for a business trip but then took a high-speed train to Cordoba, where his long-term girlfriend Victoria Ortiz (seen) grew up
The prince (pictured) is the nephew of King Phillipe of Belgium and is ninth in line to the throne