The state visit from Spain finalized

On 24 Wednesday November, Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain began a two-day state visit to Sweden at the invitation of His Majesty The King.

The two heads of state during the day's visit to the Royal Institute of Technology.

The two heads of state during the day's visit to the Royal Institute of Technology. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The second day of Spain's state visit to Sweden began with an industry meeting at the Grand Hôtel. Industry representatives from both countries also took part in the meeting.

The King and King Felipe VI during the industry meeting at the Grand Hôtel.

The King and King Felipe VI during the industry meeting at the Grand Hôtel. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The two heads of state then attended a major industry seminar on the Opera Terrace.

The King of Sweden and the King of Spain arrive at the Opera Terrace.

The King of Sweden and the King of Spain arrive at the Opera Terrace. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Kings took part in an industry seminar during the second day of the state visit.

The Kings took part in an industry seminar during the second day of the state visit. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Queens of Spain and Sweden visited the Bernadotte Library at the Royal Palace during the morning. There, they attended a seminar on language, literature and translation as a bridge between cultures. The seminar was arranged by the Swedish Institute and the Instituto Cervantes.

During the seminar, The Queen gave a speech in which she said:

Literature helps to create interest in and understanding of other countries, their peoples and their cultures. It bridges the borders of time, space and language. And above all, it reminds us that there is always more that unites us as people than divides us.

HM The Queen

The Queen gives a speech in the Bernadotte Library during a seminar on literary translations.

The Queen gives a speech in the Bernadotte Library during a seminar on literary translations. Photo: Mattias Hellström/SPA

The Bernadotte Library is home to more than one hundred thousand books that have belonged to the kings and queens of the Bernadotte dynasty. The library room was completed in 1796, and was originally intended to be Sweden's national library.

Palace Librarian Arvid Jakobsson shows selected works with Spanish links to the Queens and Minister Anna Ekström.

Palace Librarian Arvid Jakobsson shows selected works with Spanish links to the Queens and Minister Anna Ekström. Photo: Mattias Hellström/SPA

During their visit to the library, the Queens also had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with some of the library's Spanish works.

The Habsburg Marriage Book depicts the coats of arms of the royal houses represented at the wedding of Archduke Karl of Austria and Maria of Bavaria in 1571.

The Habsburg Marriage Book depicts the coats of arms of the royal houses represented at the wedding of Archduke Karl of Austria and Maria of Bavaria in 1571. Photo: Mattias Hellström/SPA

The Royal Institute of Technology

The Kings of Spain and Sweden visited the Royal Institute of Technology. The programme included discussions on smart transport, digitalisation and a sustainable post-pandemic recovery.

The visit to the Royal Institute of Technology addressed subjects including smart transport.

The visit to the Royal Institute of Technology addressed subjects including smart transport. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Lunch at Stockholm City Hall

In keeping with tradition, the City of Stockholm hosted lunch at Stockholm City Hall. There, the Swedish Royal Family and the King and Queen of Spain were welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr. Lunch was served in the Golden Hall.

The two heads of state are welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr outside Stockholm City Hall.

The two heads of state are welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr outside Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Queens on arrival at Stockholm City Hall.

The Queens on arrival at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Lunch was served in the Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall.

Lunch was served in the Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Kings and Queens and Princess Sofia are given a tour of the Council Chamber at Stockholm City Hall.

The Kings and Queens and Princess Sofia are given a tour of the Council Chamber at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Council Chamber at Stockholm City Hall.

The Council Chamber at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Visit to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences

In the afternoon, the programme continued at the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences on the theme of sustainable energy amid climate change.

The academy's President Carl-Henric Svanberg speaks during the visit to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

The academy's President Carl-Henric Svanberg speaks during the visit to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Kings of Sweden and Spain with Minister for Climate and the Environment Per Bolund, the academy's CEO VD Tuula Teeri and the academy's President Carl-Henric Svanberg.

The Kings of Sweden and Spain with Minister for Climate and the Environment Per Bolund, the academy's CEO VD Tuula Teeri and the academy's President Carl-Henric Svanberg. Photo: Duygu Getiren/TT

Reception at the Spanish Residence

In the evening, the King and Queen of Spain hosted a reception at the Spanish Residence on Royal Djurgården. The Spanish Embassy's official residence, Byström's Villa, was once the home of Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland.

The Kings and Queens of Sweden and Spain greet the guests at the reception.

The Kings and Queens of Sweden and Spain greet the guests at the reception. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple also attended the reception at the Spanish Residence.

The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple also attended the reception at the Spanish Residence. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The Royal Family with the King and Queen of Spain at the Spanish Residence.

The Royal Family with the King and Queen of Spain at the Spanish Residence. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Departure ceremony at Arlanda Airport

The state visit from Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain concluded at Arlanda Airport.

The Queens during the departure ceremony at Arlanda Airport.

The Queens during the departure ceremony at Arlanda Airport. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

During the departure ceremony, The Kings inspected a guard of honour from the Swedish Air Force, after which the national anthems of Spain and Sweden were played by the Army Music Corps. The King and Queen then wished their Spanish guests farewell.

The national anthems of Sweden and Spain were played during the ceremony.

The national anthems of Sweden and Spain were played during the ceremony. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The King and Queen wish their guests King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain farewell.

The King and Queen wish their guests King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain farewell. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

State visits

State visits are the highest form of visit between two countries, and take place at head of state level. In Sweden, it is therefore The King who invites dignitaries on state visits to Sweden and who carries out state visits abroad.

The previous state visit between the two countries took place in 1983, when The King and Queen visited Spain.