New monarchs at the Vatican

Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have carried out their first international engagements as monarchs.  On June 30th 2014, the royal couple travelled to the Vatican where they had an audience with Pope Francis I.

Felipe VI and Letizia with Pope Francis I during their meeting at the Vatican on June 30th 2014

The new king and queen met the new pope just eleven days after their accession to the throne of Spain.  Both bowed to the pontiff, who greeted them warmly on their arrival, before Francis and Felipe shared a joke.  On his own visit in April 2014, King Juan Carlos had joked with the Pope about who should go through the door first as both men stood aside for the other.  Eventually, as Francis persuaded Juan Carlos to go first he told the king that the altar boys go first in the procession.  Felipe said to Francis as they moved towards the door 'we altar boys go first' and the Pope replied 'your father told you'.  

Felipe VI greets Francis I at the Vatican 

The couple's meeting with the Pope lasted around forty minutes and, as is traditional, they exchanged gifts.  The Royal Household said afterwards that they discussions had covered several areas including youth unemployment.

The Pope with his royal visitors on June 30th 2014

Queen Letizia wore a white suit, exercising the 'privilege du blanc' which allows queens of Catholic monarchies to wear white in the presence of the Pope.  As it was a private visit, rather than a religious one, the queen did not wear a mantilla.  

Queen Letizia wore white for her visit to the Vatican

At the end of the visit, Felipe VI told the Pope that he hoped to see him in Spain soon - there is some discussion of when Francis I might visit the country with 2015 a possibility.  And then it was back to Madrid for Europe's newest king and queen and engagements at home before the next stop in what will be a packed summer of international visits as they carry out a series of introductory visits around the continent as monarchs.