Spain’s King Felipe marks ten years on the throne

Today marks ten years since Felipe became the King of Spain upon his father, King Juan Carlos’s abdication.

King Juan Carlos announced his intent to abdicate on 2 June 2014. The following day the Council of Ministers gathered to create an organic law to allow the abdication. To go into effect, the law had to be passed by the majority of the Congress of Deputies, the lower legislative house in Spain.

By Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain, Attribution, Wikimedia Commons

Felipe became King of Spain at midnight on 19 June 2014 and he was formally sworn in as monarch the following morning. The ceremony in the Cortes Generales was not as grand as those in other European nations but it was followed by many in Spain and abroad.

The new King addressed the government after his enthronement, promising that he would be “a loyal head of state who is ready to listen and understand, warn and advise as well as to defend the public interest at all times.”

By Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain, Attribution, Wikimedia Commons

After his proclamation, King Felipe and his family received the military honours and then rode in a car during a parade back to the palace. The new King and Queen rejected security advice to ride in a closed-top car to greet the people; media in Spain said it was reminiscent of the parade held for King Juan Carlos when he ascended the throne decades earlier.

The Royal Family then appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid to greet the public, including young eight-year-old Leonor, who had just become the heir to the throne and gained the title of Princess of Asturias.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia then held a reception at the Royal Palace for over 2,000 guests.