Spain's King Felipe VI defended the work of judges during a visit to Catalonia today, in the presence of a magistrate who charged 13 Catalan separatists over their independence bid.
The Spanish monarch's firm stance against independence has angered some who say he should not take sides.
The bitter dispute over demands for independence plunged Spain into crisis last year and is now being thrashed out in the courts.
"I am aware, and we all are, of the difficulty and great responsibility which your role involves," Felipe said during a ceremony for newly graduated judges in Barcelona, the capital of the wealthy northeastern region.
"You can always count on the confidence and support of the Crown."