Spain’s King Felipe confirms UK visit
Spain’s King Felipe VI has accepted an invitation from The Queen to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom in March 2016, accompanied by Queen Letizia.
The visit was confirmed yesterday by Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen of Spain will stay at Windsor Castle during the stay, which will last from March 8 to 10.
This will be the royal couple's first visit to the UK since Felipe became king in June 2014 following the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos.
The last State Visit from Spain was by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in 1986, while the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh paid a State Visit to Spain in 1988.
Yesterday’s announcement was welcomed by Simon Manley, Britain’s ambassador to Spain.
“This State Visit will celebrate not only the long and deep royal and historic ties between our two countries, but also our strong relationship as partners in the European Union, NATO and United Nations,” Mr Manley said.
“We enjoy close connections in terms of culture, trade, investment, security and defence.”
“This is an opportunity to celebrate and deepen those links.”
The ambassador later tweeted: “So pleased that King Felipe and Queen Letizia will pay a State Visit to the UK in March. A great opportunity to celebrate & deepen our ties.”
So pleased that King Felipe and Queen Letizia will pay a State Visit to the UK in March. A great opportunity to celebrate & deepen our ties.
— Simon Manley (@SimonManleyFCO) December 3, 2015
The announcement came just a day after news that The Queen had written to the Gibraltar Government thanking the people of Gibraltar for their loyalty, but confirming she had no current plans to travel to the Rock.
She was responding to a petition signed by over 10,000 people asking her to visit Gibraltar.