King Felipe VI sent his traditional Christmas message to the Spanish people from the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on Friday.

"We have made substantial progress in the fight against the pandemic thanks to the discovery and authorisation of vaccines, the large number of Spaniards who have been vaccinated and the vaccination process itself in our country, of which we can feel particularly satisfied," said the king.

The King warned Spaniards, however, not to be complacent and said: "We must continue to be careful, to protect ourselves and to act with the greatest individual and collective responsibility. We must all do our utmost not to take steps backwards in this health crisis that has caused so much suffering; and whose victims we remember, especially at this time of year". The King also took the opportunity to thank the health workers.

Felipe VI did not mention his father, King Juan Carlos I, or other members of his family who have been involved in corruption cases.

This is Felipe VI's eighth Christmas message since his father abdicated the throne in his favour after a succession of scandals.