SerpApi.Org
The King and Queen's next major visit abroad has been revealed.
Charles, 77, and Camilla, 79, will visit Spain for a State Visit in 2027 – though official dates have not yet been confirmed, HELLO! understands.
It will be the UK's first official State Visit to the country since 1988, when the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
Their Majesties will likely meet with Spanish royals King Felipe and Queen Letizia, as is typical for outward state visits.
It's unknown whether Princess Leonor, 20, and Infanta Sofia, 19, will join them, but they could make their tiara debut if there's a state banquet.
Many England fans supported Spain as they won the World Cup last weekend. The team defeated Argentina, who knocked out Britain in the semi-final.
In addition, 400,000 Brits live in Spain, and members of their national football team play in the UK's Premier League competition each year.
What is a State Visit?
State visits play an important role in strengthening Britain's relationships with other countries.
They see the King travel on official visits overseas, or occur when foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers visit the monarch on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
When there are state visits to the UK, the King is joined by members of the royal family to greet their guests with a ceremonial welcome, which takes place on Horse Guards Parade.
Typically, there is a state banquet on the evening of the arrival day, with around 150 guests invited.
The King will prepare a speech and a toast, which is returned by the visiting Head of State.
The Royal Collection will often arrange an exhibition of themed items, for example for the Spanish King's visit in 2017 when there were several items dedicated to Queen Ena of Spain, who was Queen Victoria’s youngest granddaughter and King Felipe’s great-grandmother.
Outward state visits, undertaken by the King and Queen abroad, tend to follow a similar format and often include a banquet.
Forming a closer bond
The upcoming visit will be a chance for the royal families to grow closer.
Queen Letizia and King Felipe were previously among the guests at King Charles's coronation in 2023, and also attended the reception at Buckingham Palace for overseas guests. They were seen chatting to the new King.
King Felipe was also received by Charles in the Morning Room during an audience at Clarence House in November 2022.
The two appeared to get on splendidly, and were seen laughing heartily with one another.
Felipe and Letizia attended the funeral of the late Queen and viewed her coffin during the Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall.
They previously made a state visit to the UK between 12-14 July 2017, and were received with full honors at Horse Guards Parade and treated to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace, which was also attended by Kate and Prince William.
King Felipe delivered a speech before the Houses of Parliament, a demonstration of the importance both countries place on their relationship.
