KING Felipe VI has attacked the Catalonia independence referendum organisers for their "lack of loyalty to the Spanish government" in an unprecedented televised address to the nation.
Following the controversy surrounding the Catalonia referendum, many people across Spain had hoped the monarch could help bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The central government in Madrid has described the referendum as illegal.
This evening in his address, the Spanish King, said: “For a long time some entities in Catalonia have not followed the constituion or the law of this country which sets out the way this country is governed.
“This shows a lack of loyalty to the Government of this country.
The King, said: “They have broken with the principles of democracy that every nation state adheres to.
“Unfortunately we have arrived at a stage where the situation is fractured.”
The monarch said the split could put at risk the security and stability of Spain.
He accused the Catalonia authorities of trying to put an end to the unity of Spain.
The King, said: “This serious situation requires compromise, it is the responsibility of the legitimate powers of this country to maintain the law.
“To the people of Catalonia, we all live in a democratic state and we must respect the law and constitution.
He said he understands there are worries in Catalonia about the behaviour of the authorities, who have been attacked for their use of violence against voters.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Catalonia have been protesting today over Spanish police violence during Sunday's vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt.
He said: “We must do everything we can to defend the liberty of Spain.”
He called for hope and calmness and said the country would overcome the problems as the principles of democracy are strong and solid.
He finished by saying: "I would like to give the message of serenity to all the people of Spain.”
One of the King’s roles is as guardian of the Spanish Constitution and the crisis unfolding in Catalonia has been ruled by the Government as unconstitutional.
The King met today with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to discuss the situation in Catalonia.
About 900,000 people have taken to Barcelona's streets today to protest against police violence during the vote.