The first, the last...

Just sixteen days will have passed between the announcement by King Juan Carlos that he was to abdicate and the moment when he signs away his kingdom so that his son, Felipe, can inherit it the following day.  But in that two weeks and a bit there will be plenty of 'lasts' and quite a few 'firsts' as the changing of the guard begins in earnest in Spain.  Today, the king welcomed another head of state as his own country's head of state for the final time as the President of Mexico visited Spain.

King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain with President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico and his wife, Angelica Rivera, on June 9th 2014

The visit of Enrique Pena Nieto had been planned for some time but the event has taken on an added significance as Juan Carlos acts as host for the last time.  The president and his wife arrived in brilliant sunshine and were given an official welcome at the Pardo Palace in Madrid by the Spanish monarchs.  And this was when the historic nature of this particular state visit really shone through as the national anthems of Spain and Mexico were played an a guard of honour marched past.  The man who has overseen these events for almost forty years will never watch over one again.  But if he felt sad, Juan Carlos didn't show it as he smiled as the four posed for photos before heading inside for a brief audience.

The Spanish monarchs with their guests during an audience at the Pardo Palace in Madrid

For every last, there is a first and just after noon we saw the soon to be king, Felipe, greet a head of state for the first time since it was announced he will take the throne on June 19th 2014.  And for the first time, the handshakes and greetings by the Prince and Princess of Asturias took on an added meaning as the next time they take part in a lunch for a State Visit, they will be king and queen.

The changing of the guard - Felipe and Letizia on their last State Visit before assuming the throne of Spain

June 9th 2014 will bring one more last for King Juan Carlos I as, for the final time, he hosts a State Dinner as reigning monarch.  The event, at the Royal Palace, will be laden with history and a chance to see the current king and queen and the soon to be king and queen in all their finery with just days to go before the handover of the crown.  

Two kings, two queens - Spain's monarchy prepares for the handover