The proclamation of a new king

The most solemn moment of June 19th 2014 and the beginning of the reign of Felipe VI came at the Spanish parliament, the Cortes General, where the new king swore his oath of allegiance and was proclaimed as monarch of his country.  The ceremony took place in the Salon of Isabel II in the Cortes General.

Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias and the Infanta Sofia after entering the Salon of Isabel II for the proclamation of the king on June 19th 2014

The royal family was welcomed by the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, and entered the building through the Door of the Lions.  Earlier, Queen Sofia and the Infanta Elena had entered through the Floridablanca door.  The king, queen and their two daughters sat on a raised stage with the crown on a table before them.  

The King and Queen of Spain with the crown of their country before them

After a welcome, the new king swore his allegiance to the constitution of Spain and promised to carry out his role faithfully.  And then the gathered politicians stood for the national anthem for the first time in the presence of the new monarch.

King Felipe VI of Spain takes his oath on June 19th 2014

Felipe VI then made his first speech as king and spoke of his pride in his fellow Spaniards and ended by saying that he hoped to make them proud of him as their monarch.

King Felipe VI is applauded by Queen Letizia as he makes his first speech after his proclamation

The royal family then left, to more applause, before a military parade outside attended by the king, the queen and their daughters.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia after his proclamation