King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are on a 3-day State Visit to Britain, from July 12th to the 14th, on advice from the Spanish Government, to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. They are being hosted by the British Royal Family, and will stay at Buckingham Palace for the duration of the State Visit. Click HERE to read about the Program.
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The official welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia is taking place on Horse Guards Parade in London #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/dNbRVQl1Fk
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017
The official welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia is taking place on Horse Guards Parade in London #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/dNbRVQl1Fk
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017Embed from Getty Images
Los Reyes son recibidos por la Reina de la Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte y el Duque de Edimburgo. #SpainStateVisit #VisitaalReinoUnido pic.twitter.com/RlJSsS7uPZ
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017
Los Reyes son recibidos por la Reina de la Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte y el Duque de Edimburgo. #SpainStateVisit #VisitaalReinoUnido pic.twitter.com/RlJSsS7uPZ
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017Embed from Getty Images
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On July 12th, King Felipe and Queen Letizia met with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at their hotel, before they set out for the Official Welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London, where they were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. During the Welcome, King Felipe inspected the Guard, before the couple traveled in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace with the Queen and Duke.
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After lunch The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, showed King Felipe and Queen Letizia a display of Spanish items in @RCT. pic.twitter.com/jX83VMwKtj
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017
After lunch The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, showed King Felipe and Queen Letizia a display of Spanish items in @RCT. pic.twitter.com/jX83VMwKtj
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017King Felipe learns about his great grandmother, Queen Ena of Spain, who was Queen Victoria's youngest granddaughter. #SpainStateVisit 🇪🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Np22gF293w
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017
King Felipe learns about his great grandmother, Queen Ena of Spain, who was Queen Victoria's youngest granddaughter. #SpainStateVisit 🇪🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Np22gF293w
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017The Prince of Wales,The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge & The Duke of York also had chance to view the display. #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/BlBBADLd47
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017
The Prince of Wales,The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge & The Duke of York also had chance to view the display. #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/BlBBADLd47
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017Los Reyes visitan una exposición de objetos españoles pertenecientes a la colección Real en la Picture Gallery. https://t.co/MY6fZI6qWp pic.twitter.com/Kb3mW4aMnF
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017
Los Reyes visitan una exposición de objetos españoles pertenecientes a la colección Real en la Picture Gallery. https://t.co/MY6fZI6qWp pic.twitter.com/Kb3mW4aMnF
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017King Felipe and Queen Letizia had lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, after which there was the Official exchange of presents. The two couples also viewed a display of objects with a Spanish connection in the Royal Collection, in a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace. Also present were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Duke of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Wessex, Duke of York, and the Duke of Gloucester.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia join Their Royal Highnesses for tea at Clarence House. #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/zbn0ulcva2
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) July 12, 2017
King Felipe and Queen Letizia join Their Royal Highnesses for tea at Clarence House. #SpainStateVisit pic.twitter.com/zbn0ulcva2
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) July 12, 2017Los Reyes se reúnen, en Clarence House, con el Príncipe de Gales y la Duquesa de Cornualles.#SpainStateVisithttps://t.co/MY6fZIo2kZ pic.twitter.com/KqovO4lveS
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017
Los Reyes se reúnen, en Clarence House, con el Príncipe de Gales y la Duquesa de Cornualles.#SpainStateVisithttps://t.co/MY6fZIo2kZ pic.twitter.com/KqovO4lveS
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017Embed from Getty Images
In the afternoon, the Spanish King and Queen had tea with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House, before they visited the Palace of Westminster, where King Felipe addressed both Houses of Parliament. Despite causing a lot of controversy beforehand, the King’s speech was extremely well received. Click HERE to read the speech.
Sugarwork red carnations - the national flower of Spain - adorn the gold plates which petits fours will be served on at the State Banquet pic.twitter.com/0OqiqFeqis
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017
Sugarwork red carnations - the national flower of Spain - adorn the gold plates which petits fours will be served on at the State Banquet pic.twitter.com/0OqiqFeqis
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 12, 2017Cena de gala ofrecida por Su Majestad la Reina Isabel II en honor de Sus Majestades los Reyes. #SpainStateVisit https://t.co/MY6fZIo2kZ pic.twitter.com/HGO3vkTJC7
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017
Cena de gala ofrecida por Su Majestad la Reina Isabel II en honor de Sus Majestades los Reyes. #SpainStateVisit https://t.co/MY6fZIo2kZ pic.twitter.com/HGO3vkTJC7
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) July 12, 2017Embed from Getty Images
In the evening, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in honour of King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Both the Queen and King Felipe gave speeches. Also present were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of York, Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Michael of Kent, and Lady Gabriella Windsor.
Take a look at King Felipe & Queen Letizia's outfits on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/3ffqDUXAdm
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017
Take a look at King Felipe & Queen Letizia's outfits on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/3ffqDUXAdm
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017For the day events, King Felipe wore a dark suit with a magenta tie. Queen Letizia wore a yellow Felipe Varela dress and coat with a María Nieto hat and gold and pearl earrings from Queen Sofia. For tea and the visit to Parliament, she changed into a red Burberry coat with ruby and diamond earrings from Queen Sofia. For the State Banquet, King Felipe wore White Tie with the Order of the Garter, awarded to him in the morning. Queen Letizia wore a red Felipe Varela gown with the Fleur-de-Lys Tiara, ‘Joyas de Pasr’ earrings, bracelet, and the Order of Carlos III.
Take a look at the Queen & Duke of Edinburgh's outfits on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/iispCQ63yD
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017
Take a look at the Queen & Duke of Edinburgh's outfits on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/iispCQ63yD
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017For the Day events, Queen Elizabeth II wore a floral dress under a magenta Stewart Parvin coat with a matching Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat, pairing her customary Three Strand Pearl Necklace with the Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch. The Duke of Edinburgh wore a dark suit with a blue tie. For the Banquet, the Queen wore a white gown with the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara and Parure and the Badge of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The Duke of Edinburgh wore White Tie with the Spanish Order of Carlos III.
Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/zyFNCWZAUy
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017
Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall on Day 1 of the #SpainStateVisit: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/zyFNCWZAUy
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017Embed from Getty Images
For the day events, the Prince of Wales wore a navy suit with a pale blue tie. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white dress and coat with a Philip Treacy hat, her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp, and one of her diamond insect brooches. For tea, she changed into a patterned dress with her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp. For the State Banquet, the Prince of Wales wore White Tie with the Spanish Order of Carlos III. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white gown with the Greville Tiara, Four Strand Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp, large diamond earrings, and the Royal Victorian Order.
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At the State Banquet, the Duke of Cambridge wore White Tie with the Order of the Garter. Duchess of Cambridge wore a pink lace Marchesa gown with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, Diana, Princess of Wales’ Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Earrings, and the Greville Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace.
Embed from Getty ImagesCountess of Wessex wears Aquamarine Necklace Tiara at #SpainStateVisit Banquet: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/pyZ4coLYv4
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017
Duchess of Gloucester looks to be wearing the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara at the #SpainStateVisit Banquet- https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR 📸Getty pic.twitter.com/OGBzbTtsgk
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 13, 2017
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Countess of Wessex wears Aquamarine Necklace Tiara at #SpainStateVisit Banquet: https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR pic.twitter.com/pyZ4coLYv4
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 12, 2017Duchess of Gloucester looks to be wearing the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara at the #SpainStateVisit Banquet- https://t.co/2v36fnSDaR 📸Getty pic.twitter.com/OGBzbTtsgk
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 13, 2017Princess Anne wore a white gown with the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara. Sir Tim Laurence wore White Tie. The Countess of Wessex wore her Aquamarine Necklace Tiara. The Duchess of Gloucester wore the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara. Princess Michael of Kent wore the Kent Festoon Tiara with pearl earrings and a multiple strand pearl necklace.
Wow! Queen Letizia’s state banquet red gown is to die for! She looked stunning! That gorgeous gown paired with “La Buena” and the other “joyas de pasar” was absolute perfection! I think Queen Elizabeth II is wearing a new gown as well and she looked marvelous. Surprisingly, she was wearing the Brazilian Aquamarine tiara along with the aquamarine necklace and earrings. I’m sure most everyone bet she would wear the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, but she showed them who’s boss! It seems the other royal ladies brought out their aquamarine tiaras to play as well- Princess Anne as well as the Countess of Wessex. The Duchess of Cornwall went for her usual Greville all-diamond tiara and the Duchess of Cambridge for the Lover’s Knot which is rapidly becoming her go-to tiara as well, so no surprises there. What was a bit surprising was the daring decolletage of the Duchess of Cambridge. One doesn’t usually see something that risqué in a state banquet, but then again she was not at the main table tonight. I wished we could see the other ladies, like the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Michael of Kent, but as I understand it, they don’t take many pictures of these events. What a pity, isn’t it!
I’ll update the page as soon any any other pictures become available!
Gosh, Princess Michael of Kent looks fabulous, doesn’t she? Can you believe this woman is in her 70’s? The Kent Festoon tiara is so pretty and she wears it so well. I believe she was the one who added the pearls at the base. I thought it was quite a coincidence that so many ladies wore aquamarine tiaras tonight, but then I read that Queen Ena, King Felipe’s grandmother, loved aquas so maybe it was a nod to their guests. All state banquets are glittering affairs, but I think this particular one is especially so. I think the Queen and her government really want to cement their good relations with Spain and vice-versa, which is lovely. I’m all for good relations with everyone! 🙂
Princess Michael really looked stunning, especially considering that she was born on the same day as my grandfather, January 15th, 1945. I personally (conspiracy theory) think that the ladies wore aquamarine jewels because they expected to get the Spanish Order and Sash of Carlos iii, which is usually given on state visits, even to presidents and their wives. But since the Queen didn’t give and Order to Queen Letizia ( she never does for spouses), the Spanish Royal couple probably decided to give orders too. Thus, the ladies had the aquamarine jewels all prepared, and decided to wear them anyway!
Oh! I hadn’t heard about the situation with the orders. That’s quite interesting. King Felipe was awarded the Order of the Garter, which I was glad to see. I think King Philip of Belgium and King Wilhelm-Alexander of The Netherlands are probably the only current monarchs who are not members of the Order of the Garter. I know Queen Elizabeth doesn’t award the Order to spouses, but I was surprised to see that Queen Letizia was wearing the Order of Charles III instead of the Order of the Golden Fleece. That is their highest order, and being queen, I would think she should have it. I wonder why she doesn’t? BTW, the fact that your grandfather and Princess Michael share the exact same birthday is such an amazing coincidence!
Queen Letizia looked ravishing at Spanish State Visit to Britain