Valenciano, the halberdier of the Royal Guard and Spanish jiu-jitsu champion who protects the king

The Madrid neighborhood of The brown one houses the barracks ‘The king‘ And ‘The Queen‘, shared seat of the members of the Royal guardIts members, military personnel belonging to the three branches of the ArmyThey are responsible for ensuring the protection of the king Philip VI and to the members of the Royal family. It is precisely in the first of these barracks that, hidden in one of its inextricable barracks, there is a small vestibule which, every morning, is used by the Halberdier Section military corps as a locker room to dress in their red and white uniforms, take up their defensive halberds and prepare to carry out their escort duties to the Royal House and their loved ones.

The Royal Guard Marcos Valenciano is one of the 30 men who make up this specialized military body to ensure the security of the head of state. Young, energetic and loyal to the crown, as well as Spanish jiu-jitsu champion, upon arrival SPANISH The soldier already looks in uniform with the jacket, vest, trousers, shoes, leggings and tricorn, all teaching the spirit of the company.

He and his companions are known as royal halberdiersand they are the ones who are part of the security devices that watch over the kings during official events and in royal sites. Those who, for example, during the official speech of Felipe VI on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his coronation, accompanied the monarch to the balcony of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Valenciano did not have the opportunity to participate in this event, but his teammates did. Eugenio Villaseca and the Sergeant Zúñiga. “We are where we are asked,” he assures. The team that manages the Company of Halberdiers He is responsible for choosing who goes where, depending on the needs and the type of event.

He and his brothers in arms are still present in the balconies and in the royal tribunes and they are generally recognized because they are dressed in their representative solemn costumes; accompanying the kings in the Armed Forces Day (DIFAS), during the celebration of National Day of the October 12participate in military guards at royal sites and major official events they attend or Philip VI or one of the members of the royal family. In summer, while part of his Company stands guard at La Zarzuela, another group is in the holiday residence of the kings of Mariventin the islands of Belarus.

“We do not do escorting as such, but military guard“, says Valenciano. “The personal escort is provided by the Civil Guard. We always protect the King, but also his family. Of course: it must be in real places. That is one of the requirements. We would not carry out any escort mission elsewhere, even if the Official State Gazette specifies that our work takes place where it is determined. The type of service we provide is called ‘solemn escort‘”. Halberdiers are also present during visits by foreign heads of state, in presentations of credentials and in other types of solemn acts, such as royal audiences.

QUESTION.– What is the daily life of a halberdier at the El Rey barracks?

ANSWER.- From the morning we do a routine of sports exercises. Then we start with the instruction and security work at the Zarzuela Palace that we carry out in collaboration with the Civil Guard and the National Police. Because both are part of the most immediate security apparatus of His Majesty the King. In addition to being dressed like this and providing the escort, we are prepared to react if necessary for security reasons. Our image may be symbolic, but we have physical and military training and we carry a firearm. Our teaching is based on self-defense, shooting, instruction, use of the police baton and all the arts of self-defense and other operational and tactical procedures, such as dialogue with third parties.

Q. – In your personal case, how did you come to join the Royal Guard?

A.- I spent four years in the Legion, in the First Tercio. I requested a vacant position in the Royal Guard. I have always been attracted by the figure of the monarchy, of the Royal House, and I tried to enter the corps, which is the one that is most represented. Whoever requests a position, if he obtains one, first goes through the Monteros de Espinosa company, where he must undergo a period of training and instruction. It is a close body. First they have to get to know you, see how you work, if you are loyal and discreet. If you meet the requirements and are operationally trained, you are part of the Halberdier section. The selection process includes physical tests with medical requirements, a personal interview and exams with the section commanders. All vacancies are free of designation and are published in the Official Gazette of Defense. The process is exhaustive, because the best must be on the King’s side.

The company of halberdiers therefore constitutes one of the closest to the monarchthe one with the best preparation and the one who should inspire the greatest confidence in the head of state. He is his shadow. At first glance, his clothes and his reserved and elusive attitude may seem like a forgotten reflection of another era, but his work is essential. Indeed, all the halberdiers are armed with pistols. Compact 9-millimeter HK USP. They are therefore ready to act if the situation requires it.

“We have to be well trained, be constant, be at the forefront. Among our section colleagues there are very professional people. What calls us to improve is the fact that you are constantly looking left and right. You see that your colleagues are so good that, out of self-esteem, you want to continue growing. The Valencian Royal Guard smiles, knowing, without acknowledging it, that he is one of the most prepared. Not only because of his attitude, but also because of his physical preparation. In February 2023, the Spanish Association of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu named him spanish champion in this category. 800 athletes from 38 countries participated and he won gold in the -67.5 kilos category.

“If we had a motto or a banner, so to speak, it would be”honor, loyalty and discretion“, said Valenciano, holding a halberd in his hands and showing some of its inscriptions. “It is our fundamental weapon. Of Danish origin, but made in Toledo. All halberds are numbered. They are a historical heritage. These were created in 2014, the year of the coronation. Historically, these weapons were essential. They began to be used at a time when cavalry dominated the battlefield. Halberds allowed riders to dismount.”

Halberdiers also wear a sabre on their belt, white silk gloves, a bandolier, a jacket, medals or decorations if they have received them. In the case of Valenciano, who has a Military merit; his section, however, has the Iberian Cross. The colours of his costume, he explains, represent the monarchy. “That’s what we wear when we stand guard at royal sites. Otherwise, we wear other types of clothing, police tacticianbut when we talk about relevant events, we wear the halberdier’s costume.

The Royal Guard, and more specifically the halberdiers, were born in 1504, 520 years ago, under the reign of Fernando the Catholic. “There have been attacks on Barcelona And Valladolid and the monarchy established our body” for the purpose of protecting kings. Since then, “although it has undergone modifications, especially during the time of the Republic“, has barely transformed.