Spain officially has a new King after Felipe VI was sworn in this morning. His father, Juan Carlos, announced his intention to abdicate on June 2nd. The Law of Abdication was approved on June 18th at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
He will formally be sworn in at a low-key ceremony in parliament, without the usual pomp and ceremony associated with a royal coronation, in recognition of the hardship still being endured by many Spaniards.
He will then be driven through central Madrid with his wife, Queen Letizia, along a route decorated with red and yellow flowers - the colours of Spain's flag - before hosting an afternoon reception at the Royal Palace with 2,000 guests from all walks of society.
The Spanish royal family,with Queen Letizia (far left) and King Felipe next to her. Their two daughters are in the foreground
His father will not attend the swearing in ceremony so as not to distract attention from the new monarch, according to the palace.
Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia will however greet crowds from a balcony at the Royal Palace alongside the new royal couple.
Monarchists hope Felipe becoming king will be will bring in a new era for the troubled royal household.
Juan Carlos (76) had been in power since 1975 and oversaw the Spanish transition from dictatorship to democracy. But in recent times he has had repeated health problems.
Juan Carlos hands over power to his son
And in the last few years the monarchy has been beset by scandals, which included a furore over an elephant hunting trip Juan Carlos took during the financial crisis.
While his daughter, Infanta Cristina, has appeared in court to face questions over an financial allegations which have engulfed her husband, who is charged with embezzling millions of euros of public funds in a case that shocked the public.
Although polls show the decision to hand over to Felipe has boosted the popularity of the royals, nearly two-thirds now also support the idea of a referendum on whether Spain should continue to be a constitutional monarchy.
The royal family leave the Royal Palace in Madrid
Security forces are taking no chances and police have carried out house-to-house searches along the route King Felipe will be driven, with 7,000 police and 120 snipers out on the streets.
A Republican rally has been refused authorisation by the Madrid authorities.
His move comes a year after a similar one by the Dutch former Queen Beatrix, who stood aside to allow her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander to take the throne.
Former journalist Queen Letizia is widely popular
This also sees King Felipe's wife, Letizia, become Queen. She is a former journalist and news anchor.
She was previously married, but this ended in divorce in 1999.
She married King Felipe on May 22nd 2004 in the Cathedral Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. It was the first royal wedding in this cathedral, which was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
Letizia and Felipe have two daughters - Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
