Spain has apologised to the King of Morocco after authorities patrolling for drug smugglers and human traffickers attempted to board his yacht on August 7th.
 
The yacht had been cruising in waters off Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta when a Spanish civil guard boat approached the group who were using two speed boats and three jet skis nearby.
 
Authorities were attempting to establish the identities and destination of those on board, not realising it was a royal party.
 
Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that the Kind Mohammed VI proceeded to shout, “Do you know who I am?”.
 
When the civil guard officers replied, “No”, the king took off his hat and glasses and was recognised by authorities.
 
Following the incident, the Moroccan Monarch reportedly contacted King Felipe of Spain to complain.
 
The attempt to search the yacht came days before more than a thousand African migrants crossed from Morocco to Spanish shores in inflatable dinghies over two days.