After the excitement of the morning, it was time for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain to officially greet members of the public. The royal couple, who had atended a ceremony where Felipe was sworn in as king earlier in the day, stepped out onto the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Leonor, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Princess Sofía
Felipe, 46, had a moment to shine as he walked out first and was closely followed by his wife Letizia, 41. The couple beamed and waved down to the crowds of well-wishers who had gathered to witness the historic moment.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe royal family on the balcony
The event will have brought memories back to the couple, who were greeted by similar scenes when they greeted the public more than ten years ago from the balcony as newlyweds.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Spanish royal family unite on the balcony
This time, the new king and queen were joined by their two beautiful daughters, Princess Leonor, eight, and seven-year-old Princess Sofía. Despite the thousands of people below, it was a family affair with Felipe lovingly kissing his wife and daughters on the cheek.
The blonde youngsters wore matching pink and blue pleated dresses. Leonor, who is now first-in-line to the throne and styled as the Princess of Asturias, followed her mum's style and had her hair swept into side braids, while her younger sister Sofía looked sweet wearing a dainty headband.
The family-of-four were joined by Felipe's parents King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, who have kept their royal titles.
© Photo: Getty ImagesEarlier in the day, King Felipe VI was driven through the streets of Madrid
Before making their first appearance on the balcony as Spain's new king and queen, Felipe and Letizia were driven through the streets of Madrid in an open-top car.
Felipe stood throughout the drive and waved to well-wishers who shouted "long live the king" and proudly waved Spanish flags as he drove by.
Letizia sat at her husband's side while Princesses Leonor and Sofía followed their parents in a separate, covered car.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKing Felipe VI waves from his open-top car
Felipe was sworn in at around 9.30am local time on Thursday, in a low-key ceremony at the Palace of Zarzuela, located on the outskirts of Madrid. The father-of-two was presented with the red sash of the chief of the Armed Forces by his father King Juan Carlos, and promised to uphold the constitution.
After their first official pictures with the new king and queen, the royal family minus King Juan Carlos headed to the Congress of Deputies where Felipe gave his first speech as monarch and the national anthem was sung. The final event of the day will be a reception and lunch held at the Royal Palace.
