FELIPE VI TAKES OVER AS NEW KING OF SPAIN

Felipe VI of Spain has acceded to the throne, following the abdication of his father Juan Carlos.

After the ceremonial act at La Zarzuela palace, the royal residence, father and son embraced each other and the new monarch greeted his wife, Queen Letizia, and his daughters Leonor, the new Princess of Asturias, and Sofía.

There was no actual crowning per se – no Spanish monarch has used a crown since the days of the Catholic monarchs – but rather a solemn proclamation. At 10.47am, a serious-looking Felipe VI took his oath, Posadas proclaimed him king, and Congress cried out “Viva el rey! Viva España!” as the national anthem was played again.

Felipe took to the stand to deliver his first speech as Spain’s new king, describing his reign as “a renewed monarchy for new times.”