King Felipe VI of Spain only had to take a few steps off his plane before he immediately felt at home again. The king was returning from an official engagement in Germany - where he had spent two days - when he was warmly greeted by his wife Queen Letizia and the couple's two daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia at the airport.
The Spanish royal palace have released a set of heart-warming candid photos of the family reunion, to mark the upcoming first anniversary of Felipe's proclamation as king.
The royal succeeded to the throne on 19 June 2014 after his father Juan Carlos abdicated.
King Felipe, who was away in Germany for two days, was greeted by his daughters at the airport
Still wearing their matching school uniforms, Princesses Leonor and Sofia had rushed to pick up their father at the airport, where he landed in a private helicopter.
The young girls were the picture of happiness as they welcomed their father back home. Sofia, eight, was the first to tightly embrace her dad, while older sister Leonor, who will one day become queen, showered him with kisses and hugs.
Queen Letizia nailed off-duty chic in jeans and a white blouse
Their mum Letizia, who was dressed casually in jeans and a white blouse for the off-duty appearance, also gave her husband an affectionate embrace and a kiss.
It wasn't long before Felipe caught up on his family's news. Leonor spoke about her nerves, as she is set to celebrate her First Communion this weekend in the local church in Aravaca, Madrid, not far from her and Sofia's school.
© Photo: RexThe photos of the Spanish royal family were released to mark the upcoming one-year anniversary of Felipe's proclamation as king
The youngsters also asked their dad about his trip. Felipe had visited the spa town of Bad Aachen to attend a ceremony where Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, was honoured with the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.
"Did they give you the prize?" asked nine-year-old Leonor, when Felipe had explained where he had been. "No, I went with the President of the European Parliament," he replied.
Spain's little princesses and their dad painted the sweetest picture
"But why couldn't you get the prize too?" insisted Leonor, at which point Sofia added, "What prize is it?"
Felipe then described the award, which his father Juan Carlos had received back in 1982, before tenderly taking Leonor's face in his hands and touching his forehead to hers.
