Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have formally welcomed King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain following their arrival in London on Tuesday evening.
The Spanish royals were treated to a ceremonial welcome, including a royal salute from the Guard of Honour, and a carriage processional on Wednesday as they kicked off their twice-postponed state visit to the UK.
Letizia, a former television news anchor, travelled via the extravagant means alongside Philip, while her husband, Felipe, rode happily with Her Majesty the Queen.
Philip, who is known for his deadpan humour, was also seen to charm the international royal with a joke or two.
The queens made a striking pair, with Letizia — Spain’s answer to Kate Middleton — choosing to wear a pale yellow ensemble and a matching hat, while Queen Elizabeth opted for an impactful fuchsia suit and topper.
Letizia and Felipe, who wed in 2004, then enjoyed a private lunch with the royal family at Buckingham Palace, where they will reside for the duration of their visit.
Queen Letizia, who travelled alongside Prince Philip, is Spain’s answer to Kate Middleton.
Philip is believed to have charmed the former television news anchor with his signature humour!
Her Majesty the Queen and King Felipe VI were seen to chat happily during the processional.
The royal couple will soon be honoured with a grand state banquet, which Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to attend.
The visit, aimed at solidifying England’s ties with Spain in a post-Brexit climate, is expected to be Philip’s final ceremonial engagement before he retires from public duties in the coming month.
The queens made a striking (and very colourful) impression on waiting crowds.
The important state visit was postponed on two occasions, firstly because of a political crisis in Spain and then again due to a scheduling conflict.
Prince Philip, 96, announced his plans to retire in May. The palace confirmed the royal’s retirement with a statement.
It began: “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.”
“Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.”
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“The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.
“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family,” the statement concluded.
Prince Phillip announced his retirement earlier in the year and is set to wrap up offical royal duties in a matter of months.
The statement was followed by an announcement from Buckingham Palace, explaining that the royal had been admitted to hospital after developing an infection from a pre-existing condition.
After two nights of treatment at the King Edward VII Hospital in London, Philip was discharged from the King Edward VII Hospital in London.
In a simple statement, a palace spokesperson said: “I can confirm that The Duke of Edinburgh left hospital this morning.”
Palace officials also said the royal was in “good spirits” throughout his brief stay.
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