Spanish State Visit to Britain, 1986

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain start their State Visit to the UK tomorrow, where they will be hosted by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Click HERE to check out the detail of the visit. In honour of the visit, we are featuring the last Spanish State Visit to the UK, made in 1986 by King Felipe’s parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Take a look at some highlights below-

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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Heathrow Airport on April 22nd. Afterwards, they attended the Official Welcome at Windsor Castle, which included a carriage procession and a review of the guard, which was followed by the Spanish monarchs meeting members of the British Royal Family.

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In the evening, the Queen (wearing Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara) hosted a State Banquet at Windsor Castle in honour of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia (wearing the Fleur de Lis Tiara). Both the Queen and King gave speeches. Also present were the Queen Mother (wearing the Greville Tiara), Prince and Princess (wearing Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara) of Wales, the Princess Royal (Meander Tiara), Princess Margaret (Poltimore Tiara), Duke and Duchess (in the Iveagh Tiara) of Gloucester, Duke and Duchess (in the Kent Pearl Fringe Tiara) of Kent, Princess Alexandra (in the Ogilvy Tiara), and Prince and Princess (in the Kent Festoon Tiara) Michael of Kent.

Other events included a visit to Prince Minister Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street, a visit to an art gallery, a speech in Parliament by King Juan Carlos, and a Banquet at the Guildhall (at which Queen Sofia wore the Mellerio Shell Tiara).

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One of the last glittering events was a Return Dinner hosted by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the Spanish Embassy in London for their British Royal Hosts. Queen Elizabeth II (wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara), attended alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince and Princess (wearing the Spencer Tiara) of Wales, and the Princess Royal (in her Festoon Tiara). Also present were Infanta Elena (in the Mellerio Floral Tiara), Infanta Cristina (in the Prussian Meander Tiara), and Princess Irene of Greece (wearing Queen Sophie’s Diamond Circle Tiara).

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh bid the Spanish Monarchs farewell from Windsor Castle, along with Queen Sofia’s siblings, King Constantine and Princess Irene of Greece.

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