Protesters burn portraits of Spain's King Felipe during a protest outside the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia'a regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
The Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - About 2,000 protesters wielding Catalan pro-independence symbols and some Spanish republican flags are banging kitchen pots and blocking access to a Barcelona venue where the Spanish royal family is attending an award ceremony.
Some of the guests at the Princess of Girona Awards for young talent have been unable to enter on time the conference center in the Catalan regional capital, which had been guarded heavily by police.
The protesters are chanting "Go Away!" to King Felipe VI and his family, burning pictures of the Spanish monarch.
The heir, 14-year-old Princess Leonor, was expected to deliver a short speech at Monday's ceremony.
Tensions over roughly half of Catalonia's strong desire to secede from Spain have become the main political theme for voters in the country's general election on Sunday.
Demonstrators block the access as an assistant, right, tries to enter at the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia's regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
Protesters carrying portraits of Spain's King Felipe, upside down with message reading 'The Catalans don't have a King', gather outside the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia'a regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
Demonstrators block the access as president of Catalan Civil Society Josep Ramon Bosch, centre, tries to enter at the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia's regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
Anna Rossello, 96, gather during a protest outside the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia'a regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
Demonstrators gather during a protest outside the convention centre, as the Spanish Royal Family attends the Princess of Girona awards in Catalonia'a regional capital, Barcelona, Spain Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press