The changing of the guard

Felipe VI assumed the throne of Spain at the stroke of midnight after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated in the early evening of June 18th 2014.  But while the actual moment of his accession was private, the first day of his reign was filled with events to mark the occasion.  First thing in the morning, he met his father at the Zarzuela Palace, where King Juan Carlos presented King Felipe VI with the sash of the head of the Armed Forces - a role that now belongs to the new king.

Felipe VI assumes the role of head of the Armed Forces of Spain as king and his father presented him with the sash that signifies his new role

The two queens of Spain were also present at the ceremony as were the new king's daughters, the Princess of Asturias and the Infanta Sofia, and the daughter of the old king, the Infanta Elena, and her son, Felipe Juan Froilan.

King Juan Carlos and Felipe VI before the handing over of the sash as Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia watch on

And then it was time for the new king and queen to leave the palace for the Spanish Parliament where Felipe VI would be sworn in as monarch and make the first speech of his reign.

Felipe VI leads the new royal family of Spain out of the Zarzuela Palace on their way to the parliament for his official proclamation