Patti Smith 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts

Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
My Fellow Laureates,
My dear friends

I hope my fellow laureates will allow me to speak for them, as I feel we are united, one body and all wish to extend our gratitude for the honor of being a recipient of the Princess of Asturias Award. All of the Laureates have contributed to the greater well being of our world and its people, positive role models magnifying joy, protecting our environment, boldly exploring, speaking for human rights, prompting intellectual curiosity, providing a source of pride. I feel very blessed to be counted among them.

Such recognition, I believe, allows us to pause for a moment to reflect on what we have achieved in life so far. But I also feel, as I approach my 80th year, it is also a laurel of encouragement, for us all to keep working, evolving and find new ways to best the serve the people, and provide hope and stability for new generations. On a personal note, I am also grateful for the opportunities the Foundation arranged so that I could directly speak, interact and perform for so many promising young people. 

Thank you once again for this honor and the kindness and consideration bestowed upon us by your entire team. We will all leave here with a greater prize than the one anticipated, one of enduring friendships.