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Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia begin UK state visit King Felipe VI: Spain and UK 'profoundly intertwined'
(about 4 hours later)
The Queen and Prince Philip have welcomed the king and queen of Spain to the UK for a three-day state visit. Britain and Spain can overcome their differences and further maintain strong ties, the king of Spain has said.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia are attending a ceremony at Horse Guards Parade and earlier met Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. King Felipe VI said he believed the UK and Spain could begin "the necessary dialogue" to form an arrangement over the rock of Gibraltar.
Speaking in the Palace of Westminster, he said the countries were "profoundly intertwined" and he respected the UK's decision to leave the EU.
His speech came on the first day of a three-day state visit to the UK.
Spanish royals' UK visit glosses over Brexit cracks
Hundreds of thousands of Britons live in Spain, and a similar number of Spaniards live in the UK, King Felipe told MP and peers.
They "form a sound foundation for our relations," he added.
"These citizens have a legitimate expectation of stable living conditions for their families," he said.
The king highlighted the two countries' important trading arrangements, adding that Britain is "the second largest investor in our country".
Earlier the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greeted King Felipe and Queen Letizia at Horse Guards Parade, in a traditional welcoming ceremony.
The trip is the first state visit by a Spanish king to the UK since Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, came 31 years ago.The trip is the first state visit by a Spanish king to the UK since Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, came 31 years ago.
The BBC's royal correspondent said UK leaders hope it will improve relations over Brexit and Gibraltar. The Queen gifted King Felipe copies of love letters from his great-grandmother to King Alfonso XIII.
It is expected to be the last time the Duke of Edinburgh takes part in a state visit before he retires from public duties after the summer. Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Victoria Eugenie met King Alfonso on a state visit to Britain in 1905.
The visit is beginning one day later than usual for such trips, meaning Theresa May missed Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to attend the Horse Guards welcome. The pair married and Princess Victoria Eugenie became Queen Ena of Spain, making King Felipe a descendant of Queen Victoria.
Mrs May's Home Secretary Amber Rudd was also in attendance. A royal welcome: Sarah Campbell, BBC royal correspondent
From the scene: Sarah Campbell, BBC royal correspondent
The wind died down and the sun broke through the clouds just as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stepped on to the dais at Horse Guards.The wind died down and the sun broke through the clouds just as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stepped on to the dais at Horse Guards.
Every visiting head of state gets the same welcome - their national anthem and the chance to inspect the guard of honour with Prince Philip. With his retirement imminent, this could be the last time he performed that particular public duty.Every visiting head of state gets the same welcome - their national anthem and the chance to inspect the guard of honour with Prince Philip. With his retirement imminent, this could be the last time he performed that particular public duty.
Then King Felipe stepped into a carriage with the Queen for the traditional procession down the Mall accompanied by the Household Cavalry. The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Letizia travelled in a separate carriage.Then King Felipe stepped into a carriage with the Queen for the traditional procession down the Mall accompanied by the Household Cavalry. The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Letizia travelled in a separate carriage.
It was a chance for Britain to show off how well it can do "pomp".It was a chance for Britain to show off how well it can do "pomp".
Later in the evening, a state banquet is to be held for the Spanish royals in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, where they are staying. A state banquet is to be held on Wednesday evening for the Spanish royals in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, where they are staying.
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to attend the meal. Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to attend the event.
It will be the first time Harry has taken part in a state visit.It will be the first time Harry has taken part in a state visit.
On Thursday, he will accompany the royal visitors to Westminster Abbey.On Thursday, he will accompany the royal visitors to Westminster Abbey.
King Felipe will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and the prince will join them on a short tour of the abbey, including the Tomb of Eleanor "Leonor" of Castile - the 13th-Century Spanish princess who married Edward I.King Felipe will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and the prince will join them on a short tour of the abbey, including the Tomb of Eleanor "Leonor" of Castile - the 13th-Century Spanish princess who married Edward I.
Royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the trip was an opportunity to emphasise the history of the relationship between the two nations as well as modern links over issues such as commerce, culture and science.
But he said more than ever the UK's relations with other European nations are now framed within the context of Brexit.
He added there was also the issue of the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar, where the two countries disagree.
It is less than a year since King Felipe told the UN that it was time, as he put it, "to end the colonial anachronism of Gibraltar".